Category: Uncategorized

  • Society Islands Part 1: Tahiti Tours & Magical Moorea

    The Society Islands Archipelago… home to famous Tahiti and Bora Bora, where Captain Cook made port, and the most populated islands of French Polynesia.  We arrived from the Tuamotus to witness sunrise over Tahiti, as we radioed on Channel 12 to enter Pape’ete, as well as gain clearance to transit the water immediately off the…

  • Fakarava Part 2: Life in the Squash Zone

    Hirifa anchorage is the perfect place to weather a storm, which is why we moved and, ultimately, stayed put here for 10 days, much longer than anticipated.  First, the SPCZ (South Pacific Convergence Zone) was coming much too close, with it gusts of unpredictable winds and squalls.  Second, there was a major high and low…

  • Fakarava Part 1: Pushing Ourselves & Facing Fears

    Our overnight winter solstice passage from Tahanea to Fakarava atoll, full moon lighting up the night, sailing slowly over calm seas, watching the moonset and sunrise as Fakarava came into view.  It was a magical passage between these two atolls and an easy pass in where we anchored amongst bommies and friends, took a nap,…

  • Tahanea Treasure

    We continue to learn so much…we thought a slower overnight sail would be better than a rushed daytime sail.  However, the winds and seas built all night long above predicted and we couldn’t slow down; even with just a whiff of genoa out, it was challenging to get our speed under 4 knots (we needed…

  • Makemo: Adventures in Anchoring & Camping Out

    As much as my pictures may show lovely scenes; cruising is not all sandy beaches, palm trees, and unicorns (though it is at times).  Before we left, we noted fresh water on Cora’s shelf where fresh water ought not to be – we have a leak somewhere to sleuth.  Bringing up the anchor in Raroia,…

  • Raroia: Our first Tuamotu Atoll & the Kon Tiki

    What a wonderful night of much-needed sleep in this protected anchorage, the boat barely moving.  Our time zone changed another 30 minutes, so we are now two hours behind Alaska.  Expected clouds and winds moved in, thankful to be in this safe lagoon with excellent holding.  I have been able to use my doctor skills,…

  • Arrived Tuamotus!

    The winds and swells are unfortunately from the SSE, which is not conducive to the passage.  We are heading a bit too much westerly and hope to make this up and drop south in the next 24 hours when the winds and seas calm.  It is quite a bumpy ride today and we are heavily…

  • Passage from Marquesas to Tuamotus: First Half

    Day 1  We spent the morning getting ready for the passage, planning to leave in the afternoon.  We dinghied over to the local valley farm, picking fruit with the owner and loading a wheelbarrow and two bags FULL of green bananas, green mangos, limes, starfruit, green papaya, coconuts, pamplemouse, and basil.  This is our fruit…

  • Final days in the Marquesas; Passage tomorrow

    Upon arrival to Controleur Bay, we went up the now familiar river entrance at almost high tide on full step with SY Flora (yee-haw!) and strolled around town, picking up some produce and beer at the local Magasin.  Enjoyed the full moon rising over the island mountains.  Dinner was exquisite – fresh tuna sashimi, a…

  • Nuka Hiva: Muddy Buddy Adventures

    Chris off to the bakery today to bring home fresh croissants for our 26nm journey to the island north of us, Nuka Hiva.  We made excellent time on the journey motor-sailing.  Nuka Hiva (population 3,151) is the second largest island in French Polynesia (after Tahiti). We pulled into Taioa Bay with its two coves of…