Isabela Stop and We Are Off

We are not allowed to visit islands other than San Cristobal without special permits which are extremely costly. However, all ports around the world will provide safe harbor for as vessel with a problem regardless of other rules. The Capitano del Puerto has the authority to allow any vessel to stay as long as needed by its Captain to facilitate repairs. Isabela Island has famous penguins and happens to be on my direct path to the Marquesas.

   

We left San Cristobal and sailed west through the night. After 85 miles, just as we were nearing Isabela, we had a malfunctioning autopilot. Thinking quickly, the Captain pulled into the nearest harbor and dropped the hook. I had no sooner set the anchor, unscrewed the instrument panel exposing all the wires when we were visited by the local police. I invited them aboard with my electrical multi-meter in hand and explained the "situation" in Spanish. After a friendly meeting with the Capitano del Puerto, we were welcomed to spend a couple of days to fix my problem. Kim and Emily watched the penguins swimming around the boat and the blue-footed boobies on shore while the Captain found someone on Easter day willing to replenish the fuel we had used. The fuel was delivered to the boat at $2.50 per gallon (the autopilot seemed to cure itself!) and we had a lovely stay.

  

We strolled to town this morning to stretch our legs on the last tierra firma that we will see in a while and we pushed out to sea just before noon. We met a couple of Kid boats in Isabela and one of them left for the Marquesas with us. The boat is from Australia and named Grace. We are taking that as a divine sign that this voyage will be blessed.

So as I write this Grace and Emily Grace are separated by 3 miles and heading toward the setting sun together. Wind is light and the seas are gentle. Keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we attempt to cross 3000 miles of Pacific Ocean. Stay tuned, Dear reader, as the adventure continues..

 
Tom
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