Rota Island to Faraulep Atoll
Escapde continue to send news of their trip home.
We fluffed around anchored off Rota island harbour until 4pm in the afternoon cleaning up, properly stowing stuff we acquired in saipan including plenty of payola for the locals on any islands we happen across. We have an ample supply of lollies, soccer balls, swimming masks and goggles, fishing gear, tomahawks, practically everything they already have.
The 4pm departure was based on calculating that it would take 2.5 days to cover the 340 miles and since I'm tired of arriving in the middle of the night I thought we'd aim for an early morning arrival. Well, what a dream run, #3 and 2 reefs all the way, wind on the beam at 12 - 15 kts, assisting current .5 - 1 kt for 80% fo the time with the occasional squall to push the SOG past 9. Nett result is we arrive at 1830 today just in time to discover that the islands are charted correctly but are about 2.5 miles WSW of where they are shown on the chart and in the pilot book so no night entry using the chart plotter for this one. There was however, a supply ship anchored outside the lagoon and they left just after dark so we took the opp to anchor right were they had been. Anchor seems to be holding as I type this but I'll need the lee cloth to avoid being rolled onto the floor tonight. Into the lagoon at first light I think.
