b.c.bound

Vessel Name: mistletoe
Vessel Make/Model: fraser 41
Hailing Port: victoria b.c.
Crew: chris and jen clarke
09 August 2009 | b.c.
09 August 2009 | hawaii
08 June 2009 | kauai
08 June 2009 | kauai
28 April 2009 | mx
28 April 2009 | mx
09 April 2009 | mx
26 March 2009 | mx
26 March 2009 | mx
16 March 2009 | puesta del sol
15 March 2009 | costa rica
15 March 2009 | costa rica
27 February 2009 | panama
27 February 2009 | panama
27 February 2009 | panama
16 February 2009 | panama
15 February 2009 | san blas
12 February 2009 | caymans
19 January 2009 | cuba
16 January 2009 | cuba
Recent Blog Posts
09 August 2009 | b.c.

hawaii to victoria

Nawiliwili is a few miles from the nearest town so without a bus service we knew it was going to be tough to do what we always need to do in every port. Internet, laundry, provision etc etc. we hitched a ride to town, which was easy. Getting a ride back to the marina was going to be tricky and we decided [...]

09 August 2009 | hawaii

lahaina to kauai

Marty was such a big part of our successful stay in lahaina that we wanted to do something nice for him. He accepted our invitation to sail with us to lanai. The wind finally started blowing in its normal pattern and we had a great sail with Marty steering all the way. We were worried it might be like [...]

08 June 2009 | kauai

maui to kauai

Maui has proved to be one of our best stops of the trip. We were planning to skip all the islands and go directly to Kauai. Due to lack of wind we pulled into lahaina to have a break from two days of solid motoring. We got in after hours so were not able to talk with the harbour master. Some locals were [...]

08 June 2009 | kauai

mx to hawaii

We cast off our lines from Nuevo Vallarta marina at around 5.00 p.m. We were planning on a gentle motor over to the marina in la cruz, about 5 miles north. The wind decided to pipe up as soon as we left the harbour and within a few minutes, we were covered in salt again! We snuck into the fuel dock as [...]

28 April 2009 | mx

p.v.

Finally getting to P.V. after such a slog up from Panama was a huge relief and we both felt like we had come to another one of those milestones along our journey. One thing this leg has taught us. Going up the west coast of the U.S. is definitely not an option for us. Reality has hit me in the face. [...]

28 April 2009 | mx

z-what to p.v.

A few days in z-what and we were ready to roll again. We weighed anchor early and motored a couple of hours around to Ixtapa marina to fuel and top of water tanks, wash salt off etc. Once done, out into a windless ocean and the grim prospect of many more hours of motoring. The wind gods were kind to [...]

maui to kauai

08 June 2009 | kauai
chris/sunny
Maui has proved to be one of our best stops of the trip. We were planning to skip all the islands and go directly to Kauai. Due to lack of wind we pulled into lahaina to have a break from two days of solid motoring. We got in after hours so were not able to talk with the harbour master. Some locals were very helpful and directed us to tie alongside a visiting cat at the only transient slip in the harbour. Having done that, I walked around to the office to try and find a number for customs. No luck on that score so decided it could wait until morning. Mardy, the skipper of the daysail 12 metre, America II, fell in love with Mistletoe and came over with his crew Rob. A few hours and beers later, we called it a night, feeling pretty good about being in such a lovely port, already having made friends with some of the locals. Next morning the harbour master came over and called customs for us. They would be here in 2 hours, we were not to leave the boat etc. etc. As soon as they came into the office, he was all over us. Threatening fines of $10,000.00 for failing to report immediately, bla, bla. After doing all the paperwork, he decided he was not going to fine us but we were to go across the island to their office at the airport, after the weekend to collect our cruising permit. I think the $ 100.00 round trip taxi fare was to be our punishment but we took the bus which cost $ 4.00 return for both of us!
When I went into the office, I wasn't sure what to expect. It was the same two guys, but clearly, they had had a good 3 days off and were as nice as you like. Everything was ready for me to sign and I was out of there in less than 5 minutes. What a difference and a relief to have that behind us. That is the only slightly negative thing that has happened since we got here so we won't dwell on that. Everyone who we have met here, have been so friendly and interested in our story that we spend hours chatting to various people all around town and especially at the dock. The Lahaina Yacht Club issued us with cards so we can use the facilities for the duration of our stay. We were invited on a snorkelling trip to one of the nearby islands by Ben who runs a big cat for Trilogy Charters. Offers of cars, washing machines, etc etc have come from all over the place and a big bag of leftover ice is delivered to us every evening by the crew of America II. It has been quite amazing. The fees here are an outrageous $ 5.00 per day so we decided to extend our stay. We rented a car for 24 hrs, borrowed a tent and cooler from Mardy, left Mistletoe in the care of our neighbours and headed for the hills. On our approach to the volcano we went through a massive rain storm and were wondering if we had mad the right call about the trip and especially about camping! We pushed on and were rewarded with gradual clearing and eventually climbed into bright blue sky. The summit is at 10,000 ft and even the fleece jackets we were wearing were unable to keep out the chilly 50 degree wind. The sunset above the clouds was amazing. After dark we descended 4,000 ft to a beautiful campground, pitched our tent, sipped wine in front of a fire and after our clothes had become totally impregnated with wood smoke, turned in. This was the first night away from our home since leaving N.Y. Early next morning, we continued our descent on the way to Hana. This is a legendary place with a very narrow, winding, twisting, bridge strewn road that everyone recommended we don't miss. It was, indeed, worth the drive and we swam in an amazing, fresh, clear stream on the way back. We managed to deliver the car, undamaged and on time and returned to normal. The wind still has not filled in to become a steady N.E. trade which is common for this time of year. We will leave on Monday for lanai, then to Molokai, Oahu and finally Kauai. Hopefully the wind will return by then.
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