Dietmar Petutschnig
09/05/2009, Apia Western Samoa

We have arrived after a tumultuous* crossing from Apia via Niuatoputapu in what is a sailing wonderland. The Archipelago and snaking Islands of Vava'u - to arrive just in time for the Vava'u Regatta.

The best way to describe these formations in laymen's terms is imagine Minnesota inverted - land surrounded by water - little islands everywhere .

We participated in the Governors Cup and came in ... well almost last in the Catamaran class... but Carinthia, laden with stores, extra provisions. fuel and wine deliveries from Apia was in no racing condition - nor was it's crew after the bashing we received coming down here.

The party at anchorage # 16 [ there are so man y spots here that Moorings instituted a numbering system and everyone uses it ] was epic - much more organized than any latitude 38 party - and what an array of nationalities, locals, characters and yachts !

Pictures are uploading slowly but they should be online by the am under

http://www.52hertz.com/pictures/vavau_regatta/

More on Vava'u and the Kingdom of Tonga when I return from the US.

More on the crossing * when I need to revisit hard core blue water sailing - for now - not.

JOURNEY

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Dietmar Petutschnig
08/19/2009, Apia Western Samoa

What a relief !

It's been 2 weeks since we saw civilisation of any kind [ excluding of course the very civilized wedding in Suwarrow ] but here it is !

Apia - an often overlooked gem in the South Pacific - with oodles of fun and friendly locals - we arrived just in time for the 2nd anniversary of the Apia Marina - a harbor master and marina - so kind - that they guide you to your slip in a dinghy !

It's incredible reasonable here compared to French Polynesia and it seems that everyone is eager to say hi and engage in conversations.

La Palapa, Szel and TakuTori are our known friendly yachts in this port but the winners of this years Transpac Division 7 - the Spanish yacht Charisma - is also here - en route to Fiji and Australia for the Sydney Hobart race.

I promised myself not to get into a route war with feloow puddeljumpers who went to Palmerston Nuie or the Southern Cooks on their way to Tonga but it seems all of us north of 15 S have chosen wisely. In addition the quality of the local brew Vailima - a heritage from the German colonial days - is a heavenly payoff !

One of the more interesting items in urban chaos is Western Samoa's decision to "voluntarily" switch road traffic from the US/Continental Europe "drive on the right" configuration to the left [NZ / Japan / British configuration ] this coming September !!! This is causing LOTS of local controversy - more about this issue in person .... what a cluster f&^! - bus drivers in uproar - local village chiefs declaring their roads will stay true etc etc ...

JOURNEY

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08/16/2009, Suwarrow [ Northern Cooks]

Carinthia's Crew

Sandra Jean Smith
& Christopher Sterling Edmonson

Invite you & your Crew

to join them as they exchange wedding vows

"The first Wedding on Suwarrow"

Saturday, August 15, 2009 on the beach at Sunset

JOURNEY

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