safety & health
new zealand ~ final days in Kiwiland
March 14 – May 1, 2014 Time to get a move on. The number of days delinquent in posting to the blog is rapidly growing. Regardless of how tardy I am, I thoroughly enjoy re-living our travels with every post. Our final days in New Zealand were a blur of activity. We had just splashed … Continue reading
new zealand ~ trouble in paradise
January 23 – February 11, 2014 Brief Abstract: Cold and rainy, a depleted cruising kitty, no job possibilities, a minor car accident for Wil, and excruciating abdominal pain for me. We had suddenly hit a major low point in cruising. Thankfully, amidst it all, we were among good friends who helped us through. With … Continue reading
suwarrow ~ a true treasure
September 2 – 16, 2013 Suwarrow, also known as Suvarov, is a nature reserve and small coral atoll belonging to the Cook Islands. It is located about 440 miles east-northeast of American Samoa, and there is not another island within 200 miles from Suwarrow. Every year, from April through October, the population of Suwarrow consists … Continue reading
maupiti to suwarrow ~ an unconscious captain!
August 27 – September 2, 2013 Passage from Maupiti to Suwarrow is about 660 nautical miles, and based on a 5-knot average speed, it takes about 5 – 6 days to sail between the two islands. Since we needed calm conditions to exit Maupiti’s Passe Onoiau, and to watch the whales, we began this passage … Continue reading
bora bora ~ no eggs, wildlife & a toe
August 15 – 18, 2013 Our final days in French Polynesia had arrived. It was time to clear out, and time to say good-bye to friends we wouldn’t see for awhile. While still anchored near Mai Kai Marina, we spent time getting last minute provisions from town, and we finalized our clearance out of the … Continue reading
bora bora ~ jam to the music
August 10, 2013 From Passe Paipai to Passe Teavanui, there are about 20 miles between Tahaa and Bora Bora, and with a bit of wind, sailing between the two islands is an easy afternoon hop. Since it was still the season for Maramu winds, there was no shortage of wind, and in fact, we … Continue reading
kauehi ~ beautifully wild & rugged
June 25, 2013 Of 76 coral atolls, Kauehi is one of 46 inhabited atolls within the 1000-mile long Tuamotus Archipelago chain. Like many of the coral atolls, the Kauehi atoll is a chain of coral islets (motus) with only one navigable pass into the center lagoon. In Kauehi, each motu ranges from about half of … Continue reading
marquesas to tuamotus
June 21 – 25, 2013 Before every offshore passage, we go up the mast to check all halyards, rigging, and attachment points, as well as look for anything that might be wrong. A few days before our departure from Ua Pou, I hauled Wil to the top. We’d been hearing a strange clanking sound develop … Continue reading