La Palapa

tobe' reluctely poses in front of la Palapa a week before she starts Work again.

stay tuned for the maintenance update blog but you should be able to see the sparkling stainless anchor roller to tobe's left!

cheers, roger

we're now about as far south as we can get, visiting friends Hobson and Larissa in Tasmania. We've been treated to a first class tour of the entire island, and have enjoyed camping in the carparks among wallabies and kangaroos, visiting historic convict sites, dining on some of the best oysters I've ever tried, touring wineries, and being exposed to an Australian Rodeo.

tobe' and i had a great new years here with our friends seth and Elizabeth on their 38 fit catamaran, honeymoon. we anchored right down under the fireworks.

take a look at their blog http://www.sailblogs.com/member/honeymoon/

latest entry http://www.sailblogs.com/member/honeymoon/?xjMsgID=112926

and slide show http://web.me.com/sethhynes/Honeymoon_Pictures/Sydney_New_Years_Eve.html

from here it is down to tasmania sans boat and then back up to brisbane to reunite with la palapa!

cheers, roger :)

After putting up with as much cold time as we could, we flew back to Sydney to celebrate New Year's on board Honeymoon. The fireworks were amazing, as we were anchored among the chaos in the harbor. We were very sad to have to say good bye to Seth and Elizabeth, as they rejoin life in California. (of course, I'll be right there with them in another couple of weeks!!)

Check out Honeymoon's blog for great shots of the fireworks themselves.

And of course, while we were on the east coast, it was time to finally meet the little nephew, born while we were somewhere between Mexico and the Marquesas.

yes, it's been awhile. We've been having a whirlwind land tour of the world over the last two months, while Palapa remains neglected, growing an even fuzzier grass skirt on her waterline. After a last day sail out of the Brisbane Harbor in early December, we hopped a plane to the U.S., and spent close to a month visiting family (me) and working (Roger). We experienced shock therapy of going from 95 degree humid weather to 20 degree snowy weather, but managed to survive with a lot of borrowed clothing. We even made it down to see the National Christmas Tree and State Trees. Turns out: not that exciting.. I'd have to rate 48 of the 50 states a D- on effort. The worst offender may have been Massachusetts, (pictured) who couldn't seem to even close the plastic enclosures properly. We then spent a fabulous Christmas with both sets of parents, Roger's bro, and Shauna!