Five hurricanes and 240 days later: Australian woman rows 14,000km solo across the Pacific

Solo rower Michelle Lee arrives in Port Douglas, Queensland, on Wednesday morning after paddling across the Pacific Ocean. Photograph: Brian Cassey/AAP

After rowing alone across the Pacific Ocean, dodging five hurricanes and four cyclones and surviving a shark leaping into her boat, Michelle Lee was to end an epic 240-day journey at the tropical north Queensland city of Cairns on Monday.

Fanfare, loved ones, a stack of pancakes and a hot shower were awaiting – not to mention her first footsteps on dry land since she paddled out of Ensenada, Mexico, on 8 August last year.