Part 1 tells of their passage from Panama to Cocos island - 7-12th Feb

Today is Monday the 26th February, its 0700 and we are just at Baltra, a small island to the North of Santa Cruz in the Galapagos. The airport is situated here and we will be stopping here for diesel and water before the leg to Easter Island.

Last you heard from the 'Mates Web Log' we were in the southern reaches of the Gulf of Panama, so let's start from there - date 7th Feb 2001.

Captain Jim announced a stop over at Cocos Island en route to the Galapagos. Cocos lies approx. 450 N.M. WSW from the Southern end of the Gulf. The majority of the ships company haven't even heard of this island, and stories of the pirates and privateers from the 17 and 18 Centuries hiding their treasure and booty here has caused quite a stir aboard! In fact these fabled riches have attracted over 500 expeditions of treasure hunters over the years. Once into the Pacific Ocean we experienced light winds from the NE and NW, - even managing to set full sail at one stage.

On the 8^th Feb, mid afternoon a stray buoy was seen floating - a good chance for the man overboard practice - and also for the Voyage Crew to take photos of the ship from afar in the DOTI boat. We lost the wind completely here and took the opportunity for a swim. Depth approx. 1800m. Becalmed still, and started motorsailing at 15:00.
Many Boobie birds along for the ride. Beautiful birds but boy do they make a mess!

Friday & Saturday the 9th & 10th, still brings no wind, and very glassy conditions.

Friday morning we went into battle with the cruising yacht "Stitches Explorer".
Another successful raid on Sorenīs behalf. Saturday arvo is fun & games on deck. Water fights and topsail furling competitions as well as deck quoits and an obstacle course. By 1600 we can just make out Cocos Island ahead.
We drop anchor in Chatham Bay on the northern side at 2300.

Isla del Coco is situated at 05 degrees 31' N and 87 degrees 04' W. The island was claimed by Costa Rica in 1869 and was established as a National Park in 1978.
The Island is considered a natural laboratory for the study of the evolution of species. It is a beautiful place - covered by a South American type evergreen forest. The highest peak is Iglesias Peak - reaching 636m.

There are steep cliffs along the edge of the island with many underwater caves and waterfalls. Some of the waterfalls literally cascade over the cliffs and onto the beach below.

Scientists have identified the flowing species: 235 of plant, 90 of fungus, 362 of insect, 5 or reptile, 97 birds, 60 arthrogpds, 510 of sea mollusc, 32 coral, 250 fish and 10 mammals!

And then there's the treasure!

We stayed here for Sunday the 11th and departed late arvo on Monday. The hike over to Wafer Bay (Also on the northern side but to the west) was popular but hard walk! We walked through some beautiful lush rain forest, and some of the views were breathtaking. The hike down to Wafer Bay - where the rangers are stationed was very steep to the point that rope had been rigged up between trees to literally hall yourself up. The walk was about 5kms.

There was also the chance to go snorkelling. Stories of swimming with turtles, manta rays and reef sharks were the talk of the town.

Troy & Terri had the opportunity of a lifetime and had the chance to go for 2 scuba dives - both seeing Hammerhead sharks as well as all the rest. Andrew - our carpenter and Ian, VC from the Cornwall to Tenerife Voyage - who rejoined us in Panama for the voyage to Tahiti - both made it to Iglesias Peak. This expedition took them the whole day!
All thoroughly enjoyed their visit to Cocos even though we left with sore legs and no treasure!

Next stop Galapagos.

We shut down ME at 2030 and had a gentle sail overnight with light N/NW winds.

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Part 2 covers from Cocos Island to the Galapagos - 13/18th Feb.  Click here: 

Part 3 recounts their journey between Galapagos and Easter Island, and their experiment in traditional navigation methods,   22 - 28th Feb:

Part 4: Continues the passage to their arrival at Easter Island, 1st-19th March: Click here.
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NEW Voyage Crew Memory Module:
Paul Huisking reflects on his
Auckland -Panama
Ocean Passage last year.

Voyage Crew Memories
Ian Marshall's Atlantic Crossing
Voy 142, Dec 2000

See pictures of the Curacao - Panama voyage at Voyage Crew Bob Lewis' own webpage at http://www.nythfa.freeserve.co.uk/soren/sorenlarsen.html

See pics from John Homes and Alan Murphy of the Grenada-Curacao leg:
here

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VOYAGE CREW RETURNING HOME:  Scan and email or post your pictures of your voyage! If you have an account of your trip or a special moment then let us a know. Your tales can be included in the Voyage Log!

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