Dietmar Petutschnig
11/04/2009, Minerva Reef

Minerva Reef.

It's a mythical place. On the edge of the Southern Pacific.

A place between Tonga and New Zealand.

A shelter of sorts - an oasis to yachts in transit - a place to regroup for the final dash south to escape the

cyclone season of the winter months in the central Pacific.

3 nm in diameter a perfect reef rises out of 6,000 + feet of the ocean floor.

an oceanic castle.

sharks turtles parrot fish lobsters red skies and unforgettable clear night skies

no artificial lights other than anchor lights - 10 yachts left today -

we will leave tomorrow - a trek of probably 3 - 4 ships to get to New Zealand -

the weather looks good for the passage - although always challenging -

as the southern ocean spews up it's spring storms unannounced and in a cycle of 5 days

so you are guaranteed a whack - on a voyage of 6 days - the question is the order of magnitude .

there is nothing worst than knowing that one will suffer ...

see you in New Zealand -

whakadoodledo !

JOURNEY

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Dietmar Petutschnig
10/30/2009, Tonga - Nufu'aloka

The voyage to New Zealand - land of the long white cloud - is upon us. Carinthia is ready - we're fueled up - the fresh water tanks are full and the weather reports are favorable. So it is with great trepidation that we are leaving Tonga - what a unique and wonderful kingdom.

We celebrated big momma's 7th anniversary with a big party and a great group picture of all the yachts in attendance.

Our buddy boat Wayward Wind;s crew Pat unfortunately had a bad accident and broke her leg. She and her girlfriend Patty will be on tonight's flight to Auckland to be operated on in New Zealand.

One last night of rest at anchor and then off - 1,000 n.m. via MInerva Reef. This will be our most treacherous passage due to sometimes harsh weather conditions - we have assistance from a professional weather router though - so we hope to be in good hands and in New Zealand within 2 weeks or less.

Daily updates for those of you who care - via our new yahoo group SVCARINTHIA.

JOURNEY

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Dietmar Petutschnig
10/25/2009, South Pacific - Tonga - Big Momma's

Milestones...

Over 10,000 nm and 1 year at sea. Tallied it up and can't believe it myself.

Ever since joining the Baja-Haha Rally in 2008 we have been going and going and going.

We first crossed the border into Mexico last year and other boat names on VHF sounded foreign and unfamiliar.

On this first anniversary - pulling in to harbor - reveals a family of fellow aquatic nomadic tribesmen -

hardened by the miles and encounters on the oceans and how many of them we now know.

My heart is filled with joy - and while we are all still the same individuals - all perspectives have changed.

Priorities and what's important have re-aligned themselves just as the new economic realities for landlubbers now translate the word of "luxury" into superfluous .

So,if all is changing everywhere - then crossing the pacific from east to west and north to south is helping mature my outlook on this wonderful world.

There are no physical milestones in the ocean - and to conjure up one may be an exercise in futility.

We have sailed passed many islands - encountered microscopic bio-luminescence life forms - giant whales and mantas - sharks and dolphins - super and mega yachts and sunken vessels. We have lost fellow sailors - we sat across a table with one day - to find them gone the next - a somber reminder of just how fragile life can be.

At one point the chart plotter displayed a depth of 17,000 feet a few hours later the turquoise shelter of an atoll showcases coral and sand in 10 feet.

So there it is - an assembly of thoughts and wonder - pictures to proof it all - we now have a tough leg ahead - sailing to New Zealand next week via the infamous Minerva reef - the flotilla of yachts assembled here in Tonga nervously discuss the weather windows - for some have gotten whacked in the past - and perhaps next year - many more nautical miles down the horizon - I will look back at this anniversary knowing once again - how much I still have to absorb and what a joy it is to navigate under the stars, which drop from the pure offshore night sky like the black pearls collected from the seven atolls visited - around my neck.

Let's plot a course - raise the main - let's journey on !

JOURNEY

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