Arriving in Puerto Princesa was easy, just motor up to the anchorage off the yacht club, drop anchor, launch the dinghy and go ashore to a warm welcome and a cold beer at the yacht club.
PUERTO PRINCESA – HAPPY DAYS
DRAGGING ANCHOR, SQUALLS AND SAIL DAMAGE
The sky to the south was becoming darker and at ten in the evening we were hit with a violent squall, it was ferocious. Even as I watched it coming there was no real indication that it would be super strong. Unfortunately, I was unable to furl in the yankee fully before the wind hit, the sail clew flogged like a demented demon
ONWARDS TO JAVA
We departed at a reasonable time in the morning after a proper breakfast. Once we passed through the entrance channel and were clear of the reefs a welcome breeze greeted us. The breeze became fresh from the SE, we romped along with just the yankee working well, no need to break out the mainsail.
500 MILES UNDER THE HEADSAIL
With the constant trade winds, sailing with just the headsails has been easy and really not much slower than if I also had the mainsail working. By sailing this way I have covered almost five hundred miles since departing Middle Percy Island.
ROLLING AT PERCY ISLAND
After anchoring at Percy Island I was eager to get ashore. But it was just too rough and the wind too strong to put the dinghy in the water. I stayed on board and scanned the shoreline with binoculars. We rolled all afternoon and reached a crescendo coinciding with high water just before midnight. Only then was some sleep possible.
NOUMEA TO GLADSTONE INC. GANNETS
The morning of the 13th of June, as soon as the marina office opened, I dropped off the gate pass and said my goodbyes. Ten minutes later Truce was passing the breakwater heading out of the Marina. I could not get away from Noumea fast enough. I am sure New Caledonia is a wonderful place (many people say so) but to me Noumea is just a frustrating expensive place.
The Adventures of Captain Ray Penson 