Rejoicing at the arrival of Vaka Marumaru Atua and their celebrated and prominent son, master navigator Captain Peia Patai, and crew, the community of Akatokamanava Mauke turned out in force to welcome the team ashore.

After 20 days of sailing from Oahu, Hawai’i from the 13^th Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture, Vaka Marumaru Atua arrived on the island yesterday morning greeted with ei maire and a delicious feast.

Weather permitting, the Vaka is expected to arrive at Avarua Harbour, Rarotonga today at noon for an official welcome ceremony.  - Melina Etches

Ben Raela - We have a riddle at the end of it so see if you know the answer

Kia orana taotu katoatoa, as we close in on Mauke, a quick touch base for our daily blog.

The seas have settled down and our four to five meter swells are now one to two meters - . Maruamru atua is flying over them - especially with papa steak at the helm - sitting at a healthy 9 knots atm.

For all the paddlers out there - its pretty sidey.

We are all pretty excited to see land, other humans, and to enjoy this succulent pork that we have been promised. 21 days at sea - only each other for company - the morale is pretty high and everyone is excited - but its an undercover excited vibe (to masculine to express it openly) but not doubt jubilation (again undercover will be made on landing), and the strange feeling that as we get closer we get further and further away, tonight we enjoy some makalií voyaging society preserved beef stew - thanks guys and the kane crew - with some freshly baked bread and banana cake - go the in house baker Mama Ngoio.

We are all trying to decide if we shower today or hold off until we arrive - especially as it has gotten noticeably colder and we are now in full wet weathers at night.

Our etu kaveinga - star path - the southern cross and its friends is sitting high in the sky at night, and the eastern matariki line up has appeared - with matariki - followed by Aumea (Taurus) with tuatoru (Orion belt), puanga(Rigel) and iva nui a tara (betelguse ) in pursuit. still waiting for Sirius to arrive to the party - but canopus is already there.

In closing heres our riddle - not one here is smart enough to get it - they need your help

"He who make it does not need it,

He who needs it does not use it,

He who uses it does not know it"

What is it?

Ben.