Tag: adventure

  • Magnificent Niue

    Niue – a place I didn’t know existed.  Once I learned it existed, a place I desperately wanted to go.  Once I learned the weather conditions that needed to be in place to go, a place I thought we’d likely never go.  It is a fair weather stop and many cruisers bypass it due to…

  • 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,…

  • 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…

  • Ua Pou: A Cathedral of Cascades, Chocolate, & Croissants

    Ua Pou is sheer craggy basalt rock coalesced into various patterns and formations that we could not take our eyes off, as we rounded the southern tip up the western side of the island to our destination of Hakahetuau.  Into the anchorage, huge basalt pillars jut up out of the valley reaching into the clouds. …

  • Sharks, Fruit, Friends, & Nightwatch

    We continue to explore the Marquesas islands, planning to spend about 4 weeks here before our next passage to the Tuamotus, about 500 miles away.  Our trip across the Pacific Ocean is only about 1/3 complete and the next 6 months will be passage-making between island groups, each passage with its own challenges.  Thankfully, we…

  • Vaitahu Bay and Project Days

    April 27, 2024 (Saturday):  Vaitahu Bay, Tahuata We moved only a few miles south to Vaitahu, the largest village on the island of Tahuata, which sits in a stunningly steep and lush valley.  The dinghy landing situation here is notoriously challenging, as there is a cement wall, metal ladder, and lots of swell; necessitating some…

  • Hanamoenoa Bay, Tahuata Island

    April 25, 2024:  Hanamoenoa Bay, Tahuata Island               We had a “learning experience” this morning after we picked up our very full, dry bag of clean laundry including all our clothes, sheets, and towels from the last month.  We placed the bag in the dinghy then went to the store for a few items; the…

  • The Pacific Crossing by Cora Hyer, age 12

                  The story began, many many years ago, when my parents saw a boat and a dream formed. They didn’t want a house like most people would want, no, they wanted a boat. In the dream the boat was supposed to be their house, and then a moving home to explore the world in. Many…

  • Day 20: Pacific Crossing to Marquesas; Crew Commentary

    View from the Portside Crew Quarters: Wanted: Crew needed for Pacific crossing. Principal duty to stand watch in the middle of the night. Other duties as assigned. Room and board provided. Must play well with others. As we near the Marquesas we’ve spent more time reflecting on the passage behind us and prepping to be…