They are getting ready to leave the French Polynesians and make their way to New Zealand, hopefully by December. "The Dragon" says he's going to come home for a visit once he gets there and gets the boat settled in. First thing he wants is some "real" BBQ... gumbo and a blackberry cobbler! Guess I need to start stocking up some good ol' down home food. He finally updated his blog with some stories and more photos. Approaching Hawaii ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden ) I believe the rest of these were from this visit to Raiatea and Tahaa. Ginger? ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden ) Water Lily ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden ) I wanna be THERE! ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden ) ahhhhhh... paradise! ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden )
Great photos! When next you are in communication with your peripatetic brothers, please tell them how much members of the Stew are enjoying their adventures and pictures.
I think it takes a certain mind to be on the sea for that long. I couldn't do it myself but I admire those who can. What beautiful views they see on their travels Cheryl. Continued safe voyages to them!
Thanks for the update Cheryl. I've been wondering how your brothers were doing. What magnificent scenery. :-D Both my sons have been to New Zealand and have thoroughly enjoyed the time they spent there and would love to go back. I'm green with envy knowing your brothers will be going there next.
Those guys are having the time of their lives, aren't they. I quite enjoy seeing the progress pics of those Pilgrims.
I'll pass along everyone's oooohs and aaaahhs. We're all so proud of them. Not only are they living their dream, but they are also helping out others along the way. The Professor is a retired electrical engineer/computer nerd. The Dragon can fix anything from an engine to a toilet... sometimes fabricating parts from whatever he can scrounge together. When on land, they help out the locals. Some of these islands are so remote and poor by our standards. My brothers give their time and talents to help fix whatever they can. Even donating spare items, like electrical wire or fuses or rope or even fuel. Their payment... Meals. Drinks. Friendship. Stories. A ride into town. Directions. And their favorite... karma points! On land. Paradise. At sea... well... I just don't know how they do it. Keep in mind they are each on their own boat. No crew. Sailing solo except for the occasional visitor. Since they have been sailing for over 30 years, they have many friends around the world. So they run into smiling faces where ever they go. But at sea... it's just them. Raising/lowering sails. Monitoring radar/gauges. Fixing snapped lines. Avoiding ships and reefs. Fixing generators. Fishing for food. Sleeping in 30 minute intervals on long passages that can be 2-4 weeks without seeing land. Oh yeah.. and getting "beat up" by rogue waves and rain squawls. Stuff breaking in the middle of the night in the middle of the ocean. They amaze me. Their time in Hawaii was spent doing "civilization stuff" like seeing the doctor and dentist. Restocking supplies and ordering parts. And banking, etc. And fixing stuff on the boats... lots of fixing. Both of them said it was a culture shock to be "back in the world". Tourists. McDonalds. Shopping malls. They even saw President Obama and the missus at a restaurant. And more tourists! And crime. They couldn't wait to leave. So when the weather patterns allowed they set sail back to the French Polynesian islands. When on long jaunts, they post their positions every 24 hours so we can see where they are. What we don't know is how smooth or NOT smooth the sailing is. Just that they are safe and on course. We get occasional emails sent over their satellite phones or radio telling about the fish they caught. Or the one that got away. What we learned in their recent blog updates was how rough of a passage they went through. Terms like "rails in the water... walking on the side of the boat.... getting beat up." They both said it's the roughest they've been through. And I'm talking DAYS of straight sailing. Solo. The Professor had to get an extension on his visa because he's still waiting on parts to arrive. Like they say "cruising is working on your boat in exotic ports!" The Dragon is all set to set sail within the week. He's been complaining about being bored. (And he sounds a little homesick) To be honest, we're all a little bored too! Time for them to get moving again and visit new places... like... and I quote.... "stop in Bora Bora, and wait for favorable weather then head west. Would like to stop at Maupiti if the swells aren’t too big. Then depending on the weather either to Suwarrow(Suvarov) or Palmerston and Beveridge Reef for a break on the 1100nm trip to Nuie. A few days at a must see place, then to Vava’u Tonga then start making my way south for a crossing to New Zealand in November. Spend the next 4 or so months in New Zealand with a trip back to Texas in there somewhere." In the meantime... I'm dusting off the ol' globe and looking up these places.
