The Voyage Begins
Date: 19.04.11
Position: Viaduct - Waitemata Harbour
Today’s the day we finally leave. After constant delays due to weather constraints we’re finally leaving, no really we are. On departure we received ulas from Lolesio’s mother, Talala Patolo. A flurry of last minute shopping and three skipper meetings and we’re off. Each va’a performed their siva tau while leaving the Viaduct thanking their land crew, friends, families and the general public.
Going through customs was basic and simple, and we were soon off towards Rangitoto Island to rendezvous with the rest of the fleet after they clear customs as well. Before sunset and dinner, the crew did its customary “custom belief”; it’s our own ritual that we set up in asking for safe passage. Marc did the first prayer on our voyage for the first leg and blessed the meal as well. We had a late lunch of stir fry, brown rice and Samoa’s very own chilli sauce. Moonrise was beautiful sight, with the fleet silhouetted in the foreground. Lolesio still has dinner roasting in our brand new oven. The crew is quite happy about the new addition, already setting up orders of muffins and roast.
Sometime later…
Our dinner has now become tomorrow’s lunch, a relaxed and enjoyable start sailing out of Auckland. The fleet are meeting up again on the SE side of Great Barrier for a photo op.
Samoa Voyaging Society - Aiga Folau O Samoa
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