foot loose and fancy free

14 July 2018 | Vanuatu
16 June 2018 | Taveuni
20 May 2018 | Tahiti
14 May 2018 | Tahiti
29 April 2018 | Tahiti
15 April 2018 | Rangiroa
07 April 2018 | Fakarava
01 April 2018 | The Marquesas to The Tuamotus
25 March 2018 | Nuku Hiva
21 March 2018 | Hiva Oa
19 March 2018 | Hiva Oa - Atuona
15 March 2018 | South Pacific
12 March 2018 | South Pacific
12 March 2018 | South Pacific
08 March 2018 | South Pacific
07 March 2018 | South Pacific
04 March 2018 | South Pacific

Vanuatu

14 July 2018 | Vanuatu
Michael
Haven't been blogging for awhile, so I thought to provide a link to logs from various boats that are sailing with us. I noticed Mischief, which is one of our buddy boats posts often, as well as Blue Pearl, which is the sailing vessel I'm on.
Rudy the boat owner is the one posting for Blue Pearl.

https://www.worldcruising.com/world_arc/eventlogs.aspx

I'll get something posted in a few days. Enjoy

Here and there in Fiji islands

21 June 2018
Michael
We keep moving anchors every night since leaving Paradise Resort, it really was a piece of paradise. Two nights ago we were at Suva Suva, last night at Namenalala marine reserve, where Jennette and I snorkeled around the point to the other side of the island, found 5 white sand beaches, then hiked/climb over the top of the island then snorkeled back. The island's resort had been destroyed by a storm two years ago. I'll miss my friends from Switzerland Susanne and Jennette, whom leave the rally in a couple of days. Tonight we are here, where I posted the location, never got it's name. Went snorkeling today, most of the coral was destroyed by the same cyclone, I believe it's name was Winston. Tomorrow we head to Cocoa Point, then on to Viola.
So jazzed that my son Dave will be in Fiji next week. Bula Dan and all.

Fiji - Lau Group

16 June 2018 | Taveuni
Mike
Fiji isn't just a single island in the South Pacific. There are around 330 islands, stretching out over 274,000 square miles, with 97% of this is ocean. After checking into the country in he Lau group, Lomaloma and walking through the village, we headed north about 8 miles to a secluded cove where we dropped anchor for two nights.
The first night there were 9 other ARC boats around us, second night just one other whom we are buddy boating with. Eight of us took an hour hike to the top of the bluff to see our next destination the "Bay of Islands".
At the Bay of Islands we for where thousands of bats roost and later entered the bat cave. Largest bats I've ever seen. After two nights we sailed all night to Taveuni Fiji and took a mooring next to the Paridase Resort.
Yesterday were planning our next 10 days as to where we'll go before heading to the main island and marina. Unfortunately the navigation AIDS and waypoints are lacking so instead of heading South, we'll most likely following the fleet. Tomorrow we dive.

Leaving Tonga and heading to Fiji tomorrow

07 June 2018 | Vava'u
Michael
we crossed the international date line as we sailed from Nuie to Tonga, going from UTC-11 hours to UTC +13. There by putting us ahead of the USA instead as being behind. Funny thing - time - the continued progress of existence. For now it's how long will the wind blow in a favorable direction vs. how long must we run a engine. Beyond that OB1 and my mom said I shouldn't over think it.

Dove a couple of caves yesterday - really kool. My dive computer states that I've been underwater for a total of 11 hours since January. That's three times the time from 1977 when I was certified, till 2018.

Eight days at sea Tahiti to Niue (New-way)

01 June 2018 | Niue
Mike


Life gets interesting when you're at sea on a slow boat for 8 days and nights. You find yourself doing a lot of thinking, where in my case can be pretty dangerous. I won't bore you with details, because if I did I'd have to denial having ever expressed such thoughts. Well maybe a little can come forth, as I see myself now having to look beyond a weekly plan and even a monthly plan. Haven't even ventured what a one-year plan could consist of except, that when this current travel is supposed to end. As of today, Ruud, plans to continue around the world and as I've stated I'll stay onboard (as long as he wishes me to), maybe even help him get his vessel back to Rhode Island. Funny thing the 1st boat I was on "FootLoose" and Blue Pearl are both from the same marina in Portsmouth, RI. Yet they didn't know each other or that both would be in the ARC. Dove again yesterday, this was my first time ever diving caves, cave-in dive which means you can see the entrance at all times so no lines to back-trac needed. We set-off for Tonga this evening (1 1/2 days or 250 miles) after we do a rent-a-car drive around the islands. They claim the caves and chasms are more spectacular on land than underwater. Plus, fewer sea snakes.

On the road(sea) again

20 May 2018 | Tahiti
Mike

Well the part fixed the issue with the generator, water-maker is working at 50%, so daily showers will be out of the question. Laurie, the owner's wife if leaving for Rhode Island tomorrow and will rejoin us in either Fiji or later. Tuesday, after checking out of French Polynesia with immigration, we plan to sail the 1200 miles to Niue and meet-up with the ARC. I hear there is great diving in Niue, can't wait. From there Tonga then Fiji.

Rented a car again and revisited the Peal Resort, the water falls and parks I liked the first time in Tahiti. I have a better impression of Papeete this time, as the city was full of people. The fashion of the people is unique to the individual, which is very nice and sometimes entertaining. Most ladies wear a flower behind the ear to tell the world they are in a relationship or that they are looking for one. Don't quote me, but I've been told, if the flower is behind the left ear they have some one close to the heart, on the right ear (furthest from the heart) they are looking. I suppose those which are not wearing a flower or wearing a crown of flowers, you'd have to ask.
Vessel Name: Blue Pearl
Vessel Make/Model: Hylas 54
Hailing Port: Portsmith, RI, USA
Crew: Ruud, Laurie, Brita and myself
About: Define: "geem" is a word used by geeks to describe something they are excited about.
Blue Pearl's Photos - Otavalo Ecuador
Photos 1 to 14 of 14 | World ARC (Main)
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little house
fresh chicken ?
train
factory: cotton fabric process
train
street art
me
view
walking the cows
street art
US Dollar coins: ever wonder what happened to all those Susan B Anthony
mom and daughter
city life
My guide: Park of the Condor
 
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