Originally Posted by
sleddog
After Whitall Stokes' brief respite yesterday in the lee of Raroia atoll, today SPARROW is back reaching on port tack in a southerly direction in 20 knots of easterly tradewinds.
It's that time of year to offer a Christmas treat of Marianne's Macapuno coconut ice cream with pomegranate topping to first to answer the following navigational question.
200 miles ahead of SPARROW is an atoll, part of the Tuamotu archipelago, but claimed by the Catholic church. This atoll was first discovered by Captain William Bligh and crew and apparently uninhabited. Later the atoll had a small populace of hungry natives who are on record as having eaten the unfortunate surviving crew of a shipwrecked schooner. The dinner guests were dubbed "puaa oa" or "long pigs" by the appreciative locals.
SPARROW should be passing the vicinity of this atoll tomorrow (Sunday) afternoon. The atoll is located in the South Pacific at 21-40 S x 140-38 W. What is this atoll and why is its location significant to a major World religion?
Mmmm, Macapuno with pomegranate topping, just too delicious to hope for! I cheated and found the answer on Wikipedia, so I'll disqualify myself, but thanks for the geographical distraction.
Ride, captain ride upon your mystery ship. Be amazed at the friends you have here on your trip.
Ride, captain ride upon your mystery ship. On your way to a world that others might have missed.
~ Blues Image