We've been here before-10 years ago.
We have finally achieved a goal that was but a seed many years ago. We think we have met all the requirements for a global circumnavigation on Solace. Even though we started in California, we have reached a point that we have been to before. After a little research on the definition of a circumnavigation I believe we have come very close to the 2 antipodean points of the globe. We have continued in one direction – west. Each leg has begun where the last leg stopped. We have crossed all the meridians of longitude, crossed the equator (7 times), and completed more than 21,600 nautical miles (as defined by Wiki). We have sailed 46,000 miles and it will be more than 50,000 miles by the time we get back to New Zealand. We have had some really special moments that have touched us indelibly and some that have made us realize our own mortality. We have met many wonderful people, most of whom will stay in our hearts forever. We could not of done it without the help of so many people; those land based and fellow cruisers, friends and family. It is not a feat that is taken in isolation and for the help we have received from everyone over the last 10 years, we are eternally grateful. Solace has been a sturdy boat, taking us places that we would never of dreamed of going and getting us there safely. We have loved her and given her much needed TLC in some exotic places. We have learnt so much about life on a boat and about many different cultures along the way. We have learnt a few words in many languages and conversed with everyday people of many lands. They too have touched our hearts as they shared what they have and know with us. Many of these people had very little but they were happy to share what they had with us. To them we are thankful for allowing us to peer into their way of life. Now we will be able to meander across the South Pacific yet again and find some places that we have not yet been to. The great thing about big oceans is that there is always more to see.