LAND HO.....

Of the 10,000 miles that have passed under the keel since leaving the Florida coast in March, the last 90 were the most challenging. The wind started to build on the morning of the 25th and by noon it was 35-40 knots. Fortunately I had reduced sail early and the wind was on the port quarter (from the left rear). At about 2:00, a large wave swept over the boat and she was partially knocked down (about 75 degrees from upright). I was sailing with a double reefed mainsail only and the boom was held out to starboard by a preventer. When we were knocked down, the boom went in the water and the shackle on the preventer failed. From that point on I had to hand steer, as the seas were 15-20 feet. As if the weather wasn't enough, the waterproofing in my foul weather gear had deteriorated and so I was cold and wet for 14 hours. The breakwater of Newcastle harbour was a welcome sight to say the least. I tied up to the customs buoy at 4:30 am. Thank you Flyer for taking care of me.

I will leave the boat on a mooring here and return to the States for awhile. I'll then return to Australia and tour the country with trips to Tasmania and NZ.

Lord Howe Island.... Stunning



Sunset from the wharf



Balls Pyramid in the distance



The lagoon from Mt. Gower

Approaching Lord Howe Island

Sunrise in New Caldonia

The last Hinano... a sad moment

10,000 miles under the keel





The Final Leg of the Year...

Or should I say 2 legs. I will sail from New Caledonia tomorrow, bound for Lord Howe Island. Owned by Australia, it is the southernmost coral island in the world. After a short stay, I will head for Newcastle, New South Wales, where I will leave the boat while I explore Australia and New Zealand. Hopefully I'll have some good pics for my next post. All for now..

Onward to Tonga

The cliffs of Tonga

The contrail brings back fond memories

The Island Kingdom of Tonga is about 240nm west of Niue (a two day sail). The Vava'u Group is what the islands in the North part of the country are called. I was there for ten days.. the first two rainy and the rest glorious. There are literally hundreds of small islands and anchorages in a very small area which makes for an ideal cruising ground. Fiji is next.

Exploring the caves..

and grottos..

in Niue



Practicing every day



What every sailor dreams of

Farewell to French Polynesia

Sorry about the delay...

When I last posted I had just arrived in Tahiti. I'm now in the Island Kingdom of Tonga. Before I share some details let me explain about the Internet or more correctly, the lack thereof. On many of the small islands and atolls in the South Pacific there simply is no Internet. On some of the more populated islands there is Internet but the connection is so slow it is next to unusable. To upload one picture, it took 7 minutes to advise that the connection was too slow for images. Very frustrating.

    

My girlfriend Colleen was able to fly to Tahiti (Raiatea) for 2 weeks at the end of June. Hopefully she will be able to add some of her photos to the blog. Colleen left on the 11th of July and I departed the next day. My next stop was Maupihaa atoll (pronounced,"Mopelia"). What a beautiful spot. With only one "passe" into the lagoon and that being only 60' wide it makes for an exciting entry. The always outgoing current is between 4 and 6 knots so many yachts do not attempt it. Once inside it is the setting sailors dream about. Beautiful turquoise water, palm trees, white sand beaches and only 3 inhabitants.

Next was Aitutaki then Palmerston, both atolls in the southern Cook Islands. Niue, about 420 nautical miles (nm = 6076') farther west, a small Island State administered by New Zealand, was my last stop before Tonga. There were Humpback whales in between the boats in the anchorage. All for now..




A Few Pic's from Tahiti

Mike traveled all the way from Tahiti to take me to my 20 year Banquet. 

It was Southwest Airlines 40th Anniversary.

           GLO'S MOVING IN ON MY BOY AGAIN! 
                    WHO COULD RESIST! 

   TAHITI HERE I COME......




Raiatea Marina




We were sailing along, no one in sight...I glanced up ... and we had company. This guy was amazing.....  he drafted along side of us for a while.  Mike asked him if he wanted a drink.....  he nodded yes, and worked hard to get close enough to get a coke. This is a huge sport in Tahiti and we see guys training daily.

Learning about the culture and meeting people is my favorite part of the adventure! 



Rainbows and luck seem to follow Mike where ever we go....



Mike took me on a little jungle tour.....  It was very tropical.
We met this guy who told us about the different fruits growing  along the bank.  

This was so tranquil and beautiful...  like something out of a movie.

Exercising daily....  on our way to Bora Bora.

SOME PEOPLE ARE FAMOUS WHERE EVER THEY GO....  BLOODY MARY'S STARS!  

Enjoying a little lunch and a few cold beers....

Took this picture For Kelly and Jeff.....  

Local's hang out on this little island.

Bora Bora is pretty spectacular

Mike made this Flag.....  Hope Town Sailing Club. 

Another Rainbow

Met a few Australlian Friends....  Kite Surfers. 

Mike's Wonder Washer....  Love a boy who will do my laundry!

My last day in Tahiti

 

IRRESISTIBLE!!