Land Ho!

Good morning. We are within four miles of land. I am very happy about that, especially after another very uncomfortable 24 hours. We are rocking and rolling, and will arrive sporting a few more bumps and bruises. During the night, we had a wave crash over the cockpit, soaking everything, just to add a little bit of humour to things. They say that it takes three days to get in to the blue ocean routine, so we have only been out long enough to stay beyond the comfort zone. I have to admit to being exhausted and grumpy and will be one very happy camper to set down the anchor. This hasn't been an easy crossing, and even singing along with Tom Jones/Diana Ross/Tina Turner and witnessing the shooting stars that flashed out through the dark clouds didn't help my sagging spirit much.
We will be arriving at the outside of the reef by about 9:00 a.m. local time and then will drop the anchor until 11:40 when we will attempt the shallow pass during high tide. It only has a depth of 6 feet and that's what we draw, so we expect to power through the sandy bottom to make it in. Last week a boat got stuck coming out and they had to stay aground overnight, heeling and wait for the next high tide the following day (and help from our friend Scott on Beachouse) who will be keeping an eye out for us and coming out to meet us in his dinghy if he isn't out diving this morning. We will be hoisitng our Cook Island Flag and the quarantine flag shortly. Peter will go to check in with customs and immigation and bring back the health inspector and the food inspector. Once cleared, we are free to leave the boat, although I suspect that for today, we'll catch up on some much needed sleep. Our plan is to stay here a week, where we will do lots of exploring and diving and also do some sail repair and clean-up before the next two day crossing to Palmerston (joy, oh joy!) There isn't easy internet access here in Akitati, so I may keep relying on the ham radio email for the next couple of weeks. Thanks for coming along with us.
P.S. Wasn't able to send it earlier. It is now just past 8:00 a.m. local time and we have the anchor down in 20 - 25 knot winds, in a large sea. Feels like we are still underway. Scott has already made contact with us as we were approaching, so he'll come out shortly in his dinghy to give us the lay of the land and to assist with our transit through the narrow and shallow pass in a few more hours when it is high tide. I sure hope we can make it in as the prospect of spending a night at anchor in these conditions, is far from inviting. Take care.