Daily Logs

Firefly - Firefly - updated short and long term plans

st1\:*{behavior:url(#default#ieooui) } Firefly is currently moored at the Bay of Islands Marina in Opua and her crew have flown home for a brief spell in ‘Blighty’. Several jobs including the servicing of the sails, replacing the water maker membranes and testing the alternators are underway in Opua and in the UK Paul and Susie are stocking up with the few things that can’t be bought in NZ and at the same time as catching up with family and friends. The short term plan is that we are leaving New Zealand at the beginning of May and will be bound for Tonga, sailing with the Island Cruising Association on the first 2 legs of their Pacific Circuit Rally. Heading north east it is about 750 miles to Minerva Reef where we will stop, anchor and rest before sailing the remaining 300 miles. read more...

American Spirit II - Day 449; We Leave Tobago Cays and Sail to Bequia Island; Tuesday, March 31, 2015

One year ago today:"Day 87; Breakfast Ashore, Herman Melville, Main Sheet Traveler Car Here, Fueled Boat, Got Butane and Pizza for Dinner; Monday, March 31, 2014. The reference to Herman Melville in the Subject line is that in 1842 he 'jumped ship' while in Nuku Hiva on a whaling vessel. For those that don't know, Melville wrote the classic Moby Dick. A movie by that name had the Captain played by Gregory Peck."*********************Up at 4:18 AM. I stay up to watch the sunrise, hoping for a green flash. The sun rises at 6:04 AM above the clouds on the horizon; so no green flash. I see people on 3 other boats watching the sun rise, also. At 6:10 AM I go back to bed. Up for good at 7:25 AM. I turn the generator on at 7:27 AM; and at 7:30 AM a turtle sticks its head out of the water for me. read more...

American Spirit II - Day 448; We Leave Union Island and Go to Tobago Cays & Have a Lobster Dinner on a Beach; Monday, March 30, 2015

One year ago today:"Day 86; Arrived in Nuku Hiva, First Sunrise Green Flash and Wifi Day at the Snack Shop; Sunday, March 30, 2014. Mike woke me at 5:30 AM as we were 10 miles from Nuku Hiva. The sun rose at 5:52 AM and for the first time in my life I saw a Green Flash at sunrise. I wasn't looking for the flash, it just happened. Green Flash number 6 on our trip. With sunset at 5:50 PM the night before and sunrise at 5:52 AM the days and nights are equal in time. That's what being near the equator is like."*************************Up at 4:15 AM; then back to bed; up at 6:15 AM; then back to bed; then up for good at 8:00 AM. Joel and I are both suffering from 'Rum Punch Malaise.' A big rain shower is passing by to starboard. We run the generator from 8:45 AM to 10:50 AM; then turn the. read more...

GarliX - Nuku Hiva - Herzlich Willkommen - wieder ein schönster Tag

31.3.2015 / Marquesas / Nuku Hiva/ Bay de TaioaEs ist eine Bay die an Norwegen erinnert…gut, nicht die Palmen, aber diese unglaublich hohen Berge. Hier fühlt man sich geschützt. Wir machen wieder einmal eine „schönste Wanderung“; haben ein „schönstes Erlebnis“. Wir sind uns einig… es gibt mehrere „Schönste“…was nicht unbedingt heißt, „schöner“ als das letzte „Schönste“. Ihr wisst schon…Endlich wollen wir zu einem Wasserfall wandern; Jens wartet schon so lange drauf. Wir landen mit dem Dingi im Dorf einer Familie und werden begrüßt mit Geschenken. Dicke fette Früchte aus dem „Garten“. Pampelmusen - groß wie Köpfe. Immer wieder diese Freundlichkeit - es ist eine glaubhafte Freude, uns in ihrem zu Hause zu begrüßen. Diesmal sind wir vorbereitet und bringen Schokolade mit; obwohl ich von der. read more...

Sweet Pearl - Azoren --> Barcelona - 2. Tag - Auf nach "Europa"

Nach dem unglücklichen Hexenschuss von Fritz, sind Alex und ich gestern zu zweit von Ponta Delgada gestartet mit Zielhafen Bracelona (ca. 1550 Seemeilen) - ein Zwischenstopp ist allerdings nicht ausgeschlossen;-). Fritz ist bereits wieder heil zuhause und lässt sein Rücken auskurieren, dem es schon ein bisschen besser geht. Wir wünschen auf jeden Fall auch auf diesem Weg eine gute und schnelle Genesung. Im Moment kommen wir gut voran, allerdings ohne Wind. Das Segelalltagsleben ist bereits eingetreten und heute gibt es Pizza. Liebe Grüsse nach hause, Tom. read more...

Sweet Pearl - Azoren --> Barcelona - 4. Tag - Und weiter gehts

Der Wind nimmt jetzt ein bisschen zu, leider aus der falschen Richtung, aber das soll sich in 2 Tagen bereits ändern:). Uns gehts sonst gut und wir haben heute eine Haiflosse gesehen, die uns entgegengeschwommen ist. Auch sonst ist eher viel Verkehr im Vergleich zu den vorigen Legs: wir sehen jeden Tag mindestens ein Schiff das Richtung Azoren fährt oder von den Azoren kommt. Cheers, Tom. read more...

American Spirit II - Day 447; We Tour Union Island; the Dingy Battery Dies; & We Go to Janti's Happy Island for drinks; Sunday, March 29, 2015

One year ago today:"Day 85; Off to Hiva Oa to Pick Up Alex, 5th Green Flash, Two Fish Got Away and Lightning; Saturday, March 29, 2014. 8:00 AM breakfast, followed by letting the air out of the dingy and stowing it below in the v-berth. To let the air out of the dingy we use the electric air pump and suck air out of the dingy. This process is faster than just opening the valves and we actually get more air out by sucking it out with the pump. We weighed anchor at 8:55 AM and headed back for Hiva Oa to pick up World Cruising Club representative Alex. Normally the WCC rep would fly to the next island, but since all the flights between the islands are booked, Alex needed to hitch a ride to get to Nuku Hiva. And we needed him to get there as he was organizing our rendezvous party April. read more...

American Spirit II - Day 446; We Arrive in Union Island in St. Vincent & the Grenadines; Saturday, March 28, 2015

One year ago today:"Day 84; Hike to 2,000 Foot Waterfall, Another Green Flash and Dinner at II Audeacious; Friday, March 28. 2014. Up at 6:00 AM. Breakfast at 7:00 AM. In the dingy at 7:50 AM to start our three three hour round trip hike to the 2,000 foot waterfall on Fatu Hiva. The 'landing spot' for our dingy was around a jetty that had a concrete pier and a ramp for motor boats to be put into and pulled out of the water. We elected to pull up to the concrete ramp, then lift our dingy with its motor out of the water and onto dry land, high enough to be in no danger of a rising tide. A few minutes later the crew of Follie a Deux arrived, and after disembarking 3 of the 4, Brian dropped a stern anchor, tied up at the pier and climbed up onto terra firma."************************Up at. read more...

Free & BrEasy - Goat Racing in Tobago

Tobago is a lovely green hilly island with lots of place names that sound familiar to English ears such as Scarborough, Plymouth and Richmond. The Scots and Welsh also had fun as places were called Speyside, Cambletown, Culloden Bay, Stonehaven Bay, Glamorgan and Pembroke. Even the Irish got in with Hillsborough Bay. No wonder we felt at ease in the tropical heat!Arriving in Scarborough, the main port, we were advised by the port authority to anchor close in shore rather nearer to some fishing boats than we liked. After exchanging gesticulations and eventually a radio conversation with a neighbouring boat from Belgium, we realised that they meant, really close in shore. Ten minutes later we learnt why when an enormous ferry smartly executed a handbrake turn just where we were going to. read more...

Aretha - Fatu Hiva, Marquesa Islands

It’s been 5 days now since we arrived in the Marquesa Islands.I have to say I think we are deeply touched by the warmth of the people here in the Marquesa’s. It’s like nothing we’ve experienced before and it is truly calm and peaceful here. I’ll elaborate more as I write.We arrived and made landfall at 530 am on the 24th March. It’s always stunning to see the mountains rising out of the sea and to smell land again after some 3,000 miles and 20 days at sea. In fact the first thing we noticed was the rich smell of the land as we approached - the smell of vegetation and moisture in the air - so distinctive and evident even before we sighted land.We were welcomed by Makena who helped up lay a stern anchor - in the anchorage, Traitors Bay in Hiva Oa, you need to anchor the bows and stern as. read more...

Free & BrEasy - Bats and Black Sand

A week on and we are still in Grenada. We have been here so long that we are considering applying for Grenadian Nationality! We now happily catch the minibuses all over the island without a thought for the cramped conditions or our safety due to the manic driving. The small minibuses are, incredibly, designed to hold maximum of 18 passengers, a driver and a shoe-horner. The shoe-horner takes the money, signals to the driver to stop when new victims appear on the roadside and shoehorns them into the seats, trying to exceed the maximum number of passengers! It is a very fast, cheap and environmentally friendly form of mass transport and you never wait more than a few minutes for the next minibus!The new standing rigging now stands proud in its shiny stainless steeliness but alas, the water. read more...

Luna Quest - Saturday, 28th March 2015

Noon Position: 9.36S 137.51WLogged run: 83 milesMeasured run: 107 milesWe have run under the parasailor now since last Sunday in gentle and moderate breezes. There are only 75 miles to go and at the current speed of 4 knots we expect to arrive in the early hours of Sunday. Today is another glorious day with bright sunshine and scattered cumulus clouds and the occasional squall, which are not dangerous and mostly dry unlike the squalls in the Atlantic. On April 1st there are some local activities laid on in the neighbouring island, which is only an hour’s sail away. Because of the thick growth of seaweed and crustaceans underneath the boat, we may have to go to Nuku Hiva for a scrape, as there do not appear to be any divers available in Hiva OA. There will not be a blog (probably for. read more...

Exody - Day 76 - Pifa O'Connor

......is descended from Irish famine migrants - his great grandfather having married, as he put it in his own words, a 'savage' - we think he meant 'native'!Pifa and his siblings have the large framed build of the Polynesians but the surname was a giveaway as to the heritage.The O'Connor clan seem to own a fair amount of the north east part of Hiva Oa with ranch lands and other property away from the main township of Atuona.Pifa was our English-speaking guide (studied in Utah, Mormon religion) for a guided full day tour of Hiva Oa, his sister driving the second vehicle and his brother leading a separate French- speaking group that we coincided with.We were joined by the crews of Hugur and Ayama.The day was focused around several archaelogical sites, tikis- stone carving representations. read more...

Exody - Days 73-75 - Hello Hiva Oa

Late afternoon 24th, our 20th day at sea we crossed the finish line with our waterproofs on under the clouds over the towering green caldera-type shape that forms the backdrop to the bay at Atuona on Hiva Oa - a place strongly associated with painter Gauguin who spent his last few years here before his death in 1903.Tucked in behind the breakwater of the busy anchorage which we are thankfully allowed to use the whole of because the next supply ship does not come until 5th April - by when we'll have moved on.The swell is substantial - all boats are moored fore and aft to keep bow or stern into the swell and to optimise space within the anchorage.At one side of the bay there are regularly 30m high spumes and spray as the swell hits the rocks and on this 'sheltered' side the two dinghy. read more...

American Spirit II - Day 445; We Tour Carriacou Island & Get Cleared Out for Saturday; Friday, March 27, 2015

One year ago today:"Day 83; On to Fatu Hiva, and Another Green Flash Sunset; Thursday, March 27, 2014. Up at 5:30 AM; breakfast at 7:15 AM. We checked our email after breakfast hand I had a response from Martin from the boat Caduceus of Burnham. I had emailed him last night and asked him about the anchorage at Fatu Hiva and if he had any directions to the waterfall there. He gave me excellent information on both accounts, and indicated that the villagers had even hosted a large dinner for them."****************************Up at 6:15 AM. A sunny day. I watched the sun rise above the high hills to the east.At 6:45 AM Polaris weighed anchor and sailed south towards Grenada to pick up family. At 7:30 AM the Carriacou Net, run by a business on Carriacou, went on the air. The first information. read more...

Allegro - SEXTA-FEIRA 27 DE MARÇO DE 2015

Quase mais uma semana se passou e o vento, apesar de melhor, continua a dar provas de pouco interesse por nós.Aqui no Pacífico, pelo menos na zona onde nos encontramos, o vento que vai soprar durante o dia, aparece cedo pela manhã, normalmente com o nascer do sol.Depois de se instalar de uma forma progressiva mas despachada, sopra com mais força até depois da hora do almoço, abrandando a seguir um pouco até que para o final da tarde começa a cair para a força que vai ter durante a noite. Assim é, digamos, bastante previsível o que se vai passar nas 6-8 horas seguintes.Até agora não temos tido mais de 12-16 nós durante o período em que sopra com mais força e 8-11 no resto do dia e noite. O que já é bem bom. À noite cai, ás vezes, para 7 e 6 nós. Agora, 23 horas locais, 1330 horas em. read more...

Karma Wins - Blog 7 Looking for land

Another calm, apart from a big but gentle southerly swell, starlit night and 7 knot winds so we motored until 7 am.Karma Wins is now sailing on course for Hiva Oa, doing 5-6 knots with the gennaker and full main.The dawn was really colourful but the problem with sailing west is that the dawn is behind us so I have to keep looking back on my dawn watch.We are usually having supper on the patio at sunset so have to keep jumping up to look at it or take photos as it is in front of us.We have just had frankfurters rolled in cabbage leaves for lunch.Barry was a bit disgusted when I put vegemite in as well.The bread is a bit hard and the baker is on strike with so much fish to eat.Today’s excitement was a large piece of unidentified fishing equipment which passed close by and then Per spotted. read more...

American Spirit II - Day 444; We Arrive in Carriacou, Grenada & Sail Thru a Volcanic Exclusion Zone; Thursday, March 26, 2015

One year ago today:"Day 82; Hot and Sweaty, and Last Full Day in Hiva Oa; Wednesday, March 26, 2014. Rained during the night, 3:00 AM? Joel got up and closed the hatches and put recliners in the cockpit under the dodger to keep them dry. Still very bouncy in the anchorage. By bouncy I mean the bows of the boats in the anchorage are bouncing 18 inches up and down; and rolling back and forth 5 to 10 degrees.The bay or anchorage is .2 of a mile long and .14 mile wide. Called Baie Tahauku. Because we're on the side of the anchorage that the jetty is on, its less rough where we're at than on the other side of the anchorage."***************************Up at 7:00 AM. Breakfast at 7:30 AM: Eggs, bacon, potato, left over pancakes and chilled fruit cocktail. Jeanine from Civetta II and Amelia from. read more...

Luna Quest - Friday, 27th March, 2015

Noon Position: 9.12S 136.05WLogged run: 90 milesMeasured run: 110 milesIt is difficult to account for the difference in the logged and measured run (i.e. measured on the chart) other than that there is asouthwesterly South Subtropical current that no doubt aids our mileage. Over a 24-hr period the current could have run at 1 knot accounting for the difference.The difference of the day before was similar, but 35 miles the previous day.We are currently enjoying moderate breezes that give us a speed of around 5 knots, which could get us into Hiva OA Saturday night. As a rule we avoid landfalls at night, but the bay where we shall be joining earlier arrivals is reasonably easy to access (Taahuku Bay) without too much ship movement or background lights.We have been advised that no fruit of. read more...

Luna Quest - Thursday, 26th March, 2015

Noon Position: 8.59S 134.14WDaily run: 102 milesYesterday I reported that there were only 5 boats left to make it to Hiva OA, Luna Quest being one of them. There are actually 6, but the sixth one does not carry a long range radio and did not therefore appear on the radio fleet list of boats from which I counted the number of boats left to battle it it out not to be the last to arrive. It is now expected that some of the 6 may arrive on Saturday and some on Sunday. The winds have picked up a little and we have all enjoyed some good sailing except one, whosegenecker (i.e. a cross between a genoa and a spinnaker) got twisted round his furled-up genoa without any hope of untwisting it.Our deck is littered with lines that help us manage our parasailor. In 9 knots of wind or above it stands. read more...

American Spirit II - Day 443: Our Last Full Day in Grenada; Wednesday, March 25, 2015

One year ago today:"Day 81; Fueling Day, Dinner at Follie a Deux & Joel's Hair Length; Tuesday, March 25, 2014. Up at 5:30 AM. Reading. Follie a Deux came by at 8:00 AM and invited us to dinner at their boat tonight at 6:00 PM. Follie is a 39 foot Lagoon catamaran. They also dropped off their HUKA, a battery operated compressor used to SCUBA under the boat. Joel will use it later today to clean our boat bottom."***********************************Up at 8:00 AM. Breakfast at 8:30 AM: bacon, eggs, potato and Mandarin oranges. At 9:00 AM Vlado, Jeanine and I headed to the Immigration office to advise them of our 'plan of attack' in getting Jeanine off of Vlado's crew list. After the meeting I drove Jeanine to the ferry office in St. George's, where she buys a ferry ticket to Carriacou. read more...

Karma Wins - Blog 6 23 March The catch of today

As forecasted, we lost the wind so we motored most of the night.The wind picked up a little bit at dawn but the rain arrived too.We had the gennaker and main out and Karma Wins drifted along at 2-3 knots. The sun came out and it was very calm so Barry and I did some rust-removing and polishing.Per took the fuel gauge to pieces and now it sometimes works.The speedometer has taken on a life of its own and this afternoon, when we were putting up the main it said we were doing 75 knots!The dual wind-water turbine, now known as Genny for the electricity she generates, and the solar panels were producingtoo much power so we had to use a towel on the solars as a manual charge controller.A few days ago poor Genny managed to pick up a piece of netting which wrapped round her..sod’s law the whole. read more...

Luna Quest - Wednesday, 25th March, 2015

Noon Position: 8.48S 132.10WDaily run: 70 miles (but 105 measured miles)Today marks the completion of a three-week period since the start from the Galapagos on March 4th. Our best ETA now for Hiva OA is Sunday, 29th March. Most of the boats are in. Just 5 are left to battle it out not to be the last. Most of us have given up motoring as there is not any wind further towards Hiva Oa to speak of.Our electronic mile counter, which I cleaned yesterday in case of under registering, counted just 70 miles from noon to noon (all noon times are Galapagos times), but the measured distance on the chart gives 105 miles. Since the Galapagos we have gone 3.5 hours further into time, but the ship’s clock remains on Galapagos times by fleet agreement from the outset. Once we are in the Marquesas, we. read more...

American Spirit II - Day 442; A Slow Day in Grenada; Tuesday, March 24, 2015

One year ago today:"Day 80; Bank; Air Tahiti; Hair Cuts; Provisioning; and Bottom Job; Monday, March 24, 2014. At 8:30 AM boarded shuttle organized by Rally for ride into town. Went to bank to exchange dollars for francs. Exchange rate 80 to 1. Mike went to Air Tahiti and booked flight from Nuku Hiva to Tahiti for April 3rd, the first day that flights are available from the Marquesas to Tahiti. Still on 'wait list' for flight from Hiva Oa to Tahiti this week. If doesn't get on flight, then will have to change Friday flight from Tahiti to USA and reschedule for the week of April 3. Behind the Air Tahiti person dealing with Mike was a picture on the wall of two Polynesian females. Their clothing was limited above the waist. Something like that would be a big EEOC problem in the US. Similar. read more...

Ayama - SSB Love and Hate

Every day at 11:00 we all look forward to the World ARC fleet“roll call” using our SSB Radios transmitting on the 4, 6 or 8 MHz band. We use the ITU channels 4B, 6B and 8BIt is quite lonely on the ocean and we rarely see other boats in the fleet so it is great to hear each other’s voices and realizing that we are not alone out here and to know everything is OK!We have designated net controller that have volunteered to manage the communications.It goes like this: Aretha, Juno! Juno, Aretha!Aretha, You are breaking up, but can you please tell us your position, wind speed and direction and how many engine hours you have, over!Juno, our position is 10 degrees south, 129 degrees West, Wind 18 knots from the east, zero engine hoursMakena Makena, Juno!Juno Makena.Makena, if you could here. read more...

Luna Quest - Tuesday, 24th March, 2015

Noon Position: 8.59S 130.18WDaily run: 64 milesThe distance of 64 miles in the last 24 hours is the least to date, but today the wind has picked up to 12 knots. However, the growth under the boat is now so thick, that our speed has difficulty exceeding 4.5 knots. Nevertheless, the sound of swooshing water washing through the growth under the boat gives us the comfortable feeling that we are making progress. It is another cloudless day with the sun directly overhead. We have the bimini up and are enjoying clear skies, clean air and the occasional false alarm of the fishing reel. We have not caught anything yet although the sea is teaming with flying fish and bigger ones jumping about from time to time. Eric. read more...

Celebrate - Delightful Marigot Bay, First Stop on our Around the World Return to St. Lucia!

An easy overnight passage to Marigot Bay, St. Lucia from Carriacou with wonderful Caribbean sun and soft breezes as we entered this charming bay.Darien from the marina was immediately out in a dinghy to greet us warmly and tie us to a mooring ball in the pretty inner lagoon.We always prefer to swing in the wind for better ventilation.We have since sampled the bountiful breakfast buffet at the Discovery Hotel overlooking the lovely marina with a few mega yachts and the lagoon and dined at the romantic Rainforest Hideaway restaurant with a twinkling nighttime view.Also, shopping at the Mari Gourmet in the marina village for groceries was a gourmet experience!We purchased some caviar for our twosome champagne celebration for making it back to St. Lucia.Life is good!Next:Touring St.. read more...

American Spirit II - Day 441; 41st Wedding Anniversary; Heidi Flies Home; & We Tour Ft. George; Monday, March 23, 2015

One year ago today:"Day 79; 40th Wedding Anniversary; Half a Time Zone; Breadfruit; and an Island Tour; Sunday, March 23, 2014. My 40th Wedding Anniversary was today. For me, the toughest part of this adventure is being away from my mate. Thanks for your support Janet!"******************************************My 41st Wedding Anniversary is today. It will be nice being home in 40 days!I didn't sleep well last night because without my I Phone I don't have an alarm clock. Heidi is up at 5:45 AM, followed by Joel and me at 6:00 AM. We leave for the airport with Jack from Civetta II in my rental car at 6:30 AM, arriving at the Maurice Bishop International Airport at 6:41 AM for the 8:29 AM flight. There is already a lot of people in line;but by 7:28 AM both Heidi and Jack have checked their. read more...

Exody - Days 70-72 - Last Lap

Thankfully normal trade wind business seems to have been resumed today Monday 23rd as we are back to 6 knots wing on wing pointing direct to Hiva Oa 150 miles away planning to arrive in time (just!) for nightfall Tuesday 24th.It has seemed a long haul this last 500 miles- on the one hand you think you are nearly there, but on the other, 500 miles is a significant distance in itself and even more so when the winds reduceOur last three noon runs have been 116, 135 and 110 - several boats have reported 24 hours engine use in 24 - our max was 18.5 day before yesterday.The Pacific has been very benign these last few days- we have had all hatches and windows open day and night - great to have some air through - but it still reached 32 degrees inside the cabin today. The nights, with new moon. read more...

Luna Quest - Monday, 23rd March, 2015

Noon Position: 8.52S 128.44WDaily run: 78 milesJust 600 miles to go to Hiva OA, but at the current rate of 78 miles a day for of a lack of wind, it will take us another week to get there. There is, currently, not much prospect of more wind. The parasailor has a been up night and day and we have given up motoring for the time being. Julia thinks we have enough food for 10 weeks and our water supply is adequate given that we can make 5 ltrs in 25 minutes from the water maker (provided the sun shines). We still carry 4 jerry cans of water on deck plus 5 jerry cans of diesel. Others in the fleet are less fortunate. One of the participants, who is running out of diesel, relies on a generator for his electricity to run his navigation systems and water-making facility, but his generator has. read more...

Celebrate - To Tyrell Bay Anchorage with Fantastic Dives & Fun Restaurants on Carriacou Island, Officially Grenada

On a 30 mile passage to Tyrell Bay on March 11th we left Happy Hill at 9am and arrived at around 3pm to a huge, well-protected anchorage with many boats.A vendor named, Simon, visited our boat with live lobsters, wine and many offers to assist us.We did take a rustic island tour with him to see all sides of the island and a boat yard where wooden boats are still being built by hand.We had fun eating at the various restaurants on the beach, such as Cafe Iguana and the Slipway and also walking through the colorful little town.Charlie had a great diving trip with two fantastic dives, the first just outside the bay at the "Aquarium", which had a selection of new (to me) and different reef fish, sea horses, and a tiny crab looking like a daddy long legs spider.The second dive, at the famous. read more...

Celebrate - Underwater Sculptures Marine Park, Dragon Bay & Happy Hill (Flamingo Bay) in Grenada

At Moliniere Point all of the mooring balls for regular boats close by the underwater Sculpture Garden were taken, so we looked into next door Dragon Bay which seemed delightful.Unfortunately, the mooring balls were too close together for our size of boat so we moved on to the next, next door bay of Happy Hill (Flamingo Bay) and all was well!We were able to dinghy back to the Sculpture Garden and snorkel this amazing site.Near life-size sculptures with some in a circle sitting on a wall and also a praying figure are a few examples.What marvels we have seen on this trip! Next: Carriacou IslandCharlie & Cathy. read more...

Celebrate - True Blue Bay Idyllic Anchoring Stopover Beyond Prickly Bay in Grenada

We are cruising again and loving it!Literally a five minute motor sail away and around the corner from Prickly Bay is the beautiful little bay with clear sparkling water for a lovely anchorage called True Blue.Also, a small colorful resort with the really good Dodgy Dock restaurant is located here.Wonderful to relax and enjoy for a few days.It was a great place to look out to sea, as well, and watch for Folie a Deux to come by on their way to Port Louis on March 8th.We spotted them at about 5am and were able to talk to them on VHF.They were happy to make landfall and we were so glad they had too!. read more...

Celebrate - Grand Mal Bay at Port Louis Marina in St. George's, Grenada Yacht Club & Gorgeous Grand Anse Beach

From True Blue Bay, more leisurely cruising as we sailed for about an hour to anchor at Grand Mal Bay on the edge of beautiful Grand Anse Beach and off to the side of the Port Louis Marina where the fleet will stay in St. George's. Previously we enjoyed local food for lunch at the Grenada Yacht Club and an interesting walk around the marina.A more populated spot, but with such tremendous views.Also, we wanted to watch for Merlyn's arrival the next morning on March 9th.Having not seen them by 8am we started off, but they showed up just as we were rounding the corner to the underwater Sculpture Garden and Dragon's Bay and we had a great chat on the VHF.Next:Underwater Sculpture Garden, Dragon Bay & Happy Hill (Flamingo Bay)Charlie &. read more...

American Spirit II - Day 440; Heidi's Last Full Day in Grenada; Green Flash No. 41 & My Cell Phone Stops Charging; Sunday, March 22, 2015

One year ago today:Day 78; Arrived Hiva Oa in Dark; Saturday, March 22, 2014. No sleep tonight. Even though my watch ended at midnight, with land fall imminent, no sleep for the weary. Joel got up at midnight for his midnight to 3:00 AM watch. He and I would be up all night henceforth until we were anchored in Hiva Oa. Mike got up at 3:00 AM."**************************Up at 6:00 AM and departed for the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on Church and St. John's streets at 6:38 AM. I got there at 6:58 AM for the 7:00 AM service. But the time of the service was 8:00 AM. So much for the internet giving me the right time. The church was built in 1818 and was gutted by Hurricane Ivan in 2004. It sits on the top of a steep hill overlooking the harbor of St. George's. There were 2 priests. read more...

American Spirit II - Day 439; ARC Tours Grenada; Saturday, March 21, 2015

One year ago toady:"Day 77; Sighted Hiva Oa; Friday, March 21, 2014. Up early (4:00 AM), due to time change. We passed thru the 135 degree West Longitude yesterday. 5:00 AM became 4:00 AM. Bright 3/4 moon overhead. Sunrise 6:11 AM. As usual, obstructed by clouds."**************************Up at 7:30 AM. Breakfast at 8:00 AM. Eggs, potato and chilled peaches.At 9:10 AM two small buses departed the marina for a tour of the island. Large buses aren't possible in Grenada due to the narrow and hair-pin turns on the roads. Our driver, Augustus, talked about Grenada as we drove along; and frequently stopped along the road to show us the various fruits on the trees of Grenada. He was as much as a tour guide as he was our bus driver. The two most significant events in Grenada's recent history are. read more...

Mistero Blu - mistero blu

Dear All,I send some pictures of the boat Mistero Blu.mb profilo. DSC04094. GOPR0133. cutter. DSC04366.. read more...

Free & BrEasy - Green Grenada

Our arrival in Grenada a week ago was smooth and joyous. The green tree covered hills welcomed us as the sun rose and, after refuelling, we were efficiently guided into our marina berth where Suzana and Nicky from World ARC were on the pontoon to welcome us with the customary rum cocktail. How does Nicky keep the ice from melting? We then ‘pressed the flesh’ of all our fellow circumnavigators and caught up with the news on the other boats. In other words we had a fine pontoon gossip!We have been living in luxury in Port Louis Marina, St George’s Town, Grenada. The Marina is the Hilton of Marinas with large spacious showers, a poolside restaurant, scenic location amongst the Grenadian hills and all the services and pontoons work. Even Customs and Immigration officials were on site. There. read more...

Luna Quest - Sunday, 22nd March, 2015

Noon Position: 8.48S 127.07WDaily run: 93 milesWe motored all yesterday afternoon, throughout the night and half way through this morning when a breeze sprang up from the NNE. The parasail was up in no time and the wind strengthened a little from 8 knots to 10 knots keeping the sail filled. Our speed may have dropped from the motoring speed of 4.2kn to a sailing speed of 3.6kn, but the relief of no longer hearing the engine or the rumble was very welcome. Today promises another full sunshine day, but the new breeze is keeping us cool. We sat out on deck last night admiring the evening sunset and we shall probably do the same tonight.Eric. read more...

Allegro - DOMINGO 22 DE MARÇO DE 2015

Pacífico.Pacífico mas não tanto …Este é o 5º dia sem vento.Temos desfrutado, de facto, de dias excepcionais em relação às condições do céu (azul e limpo), temperatura, ondulação e mesmo o vento, apesar de fraco, tem sido agradável.O problema é estarmos a meio da maior perna da WARC, 2900 milhas. Este pequeno pormenor está a transformar dias excepcionais em “maus” dias de vela.Tínhamos previsto concluir esta perna antes do dia 27 e não o vamos poder fazer antes do fim do mês (isto se houver vento), o que vai alterar muito a nossa vida. Vamos tratar de toda a parte legal (burocrática, passaportes, “clearance” e às vezes outras questões), dos abastecimentos (víveres e combustível), do planeamento da visita às Marquesas e às Tuamotus, etc.. A presença dos Yellow Shirts que tem sido sempre. read more...

GarliX - Die letzten Meilen - bis ... wir sind da

Die letzten Meilen - bis wir sind daTour: Santa Cruz - Hiva Oa - Gesamtstrecke ca. 2980sm, die letzten 80 MeilenNoch 80 Meilen: Es herrscht Stille auf dem Stillen Ozean… kein Wind - nur Schwell. Was sagt uns das…. mach niemals die Rechnung (der Ankunftszeit) ohne den (Wind)-Wirt. Hah, ohne Motor würden wir hier noch so einige Zeit umher dümpeln. Jetzt Motoren wir doch… die ganze Zeit konnten wir segeln; selbst bei 8-9kn Wind ging es gut voran und jetzt das. Nur haben wir es ja noch gut… 100sm kann man Motoren. Aber die armen Bote hinter uns… da wird's schon eng mit den Dieselvorräten. Schade ist es allemal, da vermasseln wir uns durch die Motorstunden unser gutes Ergebnis, da diese (verständicherweise) negativ in die verrechnete Zeit einfließen. Wir sind schon stolz auf unseren vorderen. read more...

American Spirit II - Day 438; We Go to the 7 Sisters Waterfalls and the Rally Prizegiving, Party and Dinner; Friday, March 20, 2015

One year ago today:"Day 76; Bad Eggs, Hot , Dolphin Show & Another Time Zone; Thursday, March 20, 2014. Great night sleep, despite rock and roll of boat all night. Going downwind (and waves) has its disadvantages concerning boat motion. Sunrise cloud obstructed, again. Will we ever have a cloudless sunrise?"*************************Another 'sleep in' day. We're all up around 8:30 AM. Breakfast at 9:00 AM consists of eggs, potato and chilled peach halves.The car rental company dropped off the car at 10:30 AM; and by 11:18 AM Joel, Heidi, Sigi from Merlyn of Poole and myself were off first to Budget Marine to return a part; then to the 7 Sisters Waterfalls. Along the way we stopped at a restaurant that had a 'Good Food' sign in front of it. I ordered a mutton lunch; Joel and Heidi had. read more...

American Spirit II - Day 437; We Receive a Presentation on St. Vincent and the Grenadines ; Thursday, March 19, 2015

One year ago today:"Day 75; Motoring , Sail Changes & 2nd Green Flash; Wednesday, March 19, 2014. Between 12:00 AM and 6:00 AM 2 rain showers doused the boat. One heavy shower on Joel's 12:00 AM to 3:00 AM watch which was so heavy it woke Mike up; and a lighter rain shower during Mike's watch, between 3:00 AM and 6:00 AM."***************************We slept in today, getting up between 8:00 to 8:30 AM. Heavy rainfall again; thatpesky Tropical Trough. Breakfast at 9:30 AM consists of eggs, bacon, potato and chilled pineapple. Joel ordered a new electric meter today, as the one he bought over Christmas never made it to the boat because it was in the lost/stolen bag that we checked onto British Airways. I talked to Watt & Sea to see where my hydro generator parts were that I'd. read more...