Stuck in Papeete

Currently stuck in Papeete, Tahiti with engine trouble. Check out the link to new photos on Flickr though!

Goodbye Marquesas!

After a few days in beautiful Anaho Bay, we find ourselves back in the big smoke, Taiohae. We are just waiting on some last minute supplies and by tonight we hope to be anchored in Daniels Bay, are final Marquesian destination before the crossing to the Tuamotus. Winds are forecasted to be light, but we are still hoping to make the 48o NM within four days.

We will say goodbye to the lush green hills, epic rock pinnicles and sheer cliffs, bountiful fruit, easy anchorages and awesome hospitality from the locals, for sandy white atolls, surrounded by coral reefs and water visibility of up to 100 ft or more. While in the Marquesas we enjoyed venturing through the jungle to find epic waterfalls and fruit, or hiking along beaches to find surf, in the Tuamotus we will be concentrating on exploring the water.

We plan on landing in Tacaroa, weather dependant, a western atoll, and then venturing from there. From four thousand feet mountain peaks in the Marquesas, to the atolls of the Tuamotus where the land rarely reaches a couple of meters above sea level, it should be quite a contrast. Expect another post in the weeks or month to come, and a whole bunch of pictures when there is a better internet connection! Thats all for now, after passing the equatorial belt, we are now venturing deep into the pants of the South Pacific. Farewell!

Hiva Oa! We Made It!

After 2700 NM we have made it to the Marquesas! Good winds to start, short trip though the ITCZ's, and finally getting into the trade winds, we made it to Atuona on Hiva Oa the afternoon of the 18th day at sea.

So far we have traveled around the north side of Hiva Oa, bays such as Hanamenu, with fresh fruit all around, Hanaiapa, free diving around mushroom coral, and Paumou, tikis and friendly locals. Then it was south to Fatu Iva and the Bay of Virgins, where we trekked though the jungle to a beautiful waterfall and made trips in the dingy over the the village of Omoa which boasts the best surfing in all the islands. Then it was back up north to the smaller island of Tahuata, where we got in on the leftovers from a wedding the day before. Goat, chicken, fresh fish, smoked bananas and whipped breadfruit is the usual Marquesain fair, and lots of it. With full stomachs we headed again north the the big island of Fatu Hiva and the bay of Taiohae, the biggest town in the Marquesas. Here Mark got a beautiful Marquesain tattoo and we stocked up on baguettes and pate.

From here the plan is to check out the bays of Nuka Hiva then return to Taiohae to take advantage of the stores and fuel facilities before we head out to the next step or our adventure... The Tuamotus! We will try our best to put up pictures and update the blog as much as we can but we are having problems with the lack of internet connections. Never the less Mojombo and her crew are running at full speed and are loving every minute of it!!!

3000 Miles to Paradise

After 4 months in the Sea of Cortez, we find ourselves in Cabo, the departure point for the Marquesas. With gentle sounds of bass sub when we sleep to the refreshing humming of jet skis and cruise ship horns when we wake, Cabo isn't exactly the tranquillo Baja we have come to love. Never the less our short sail down from La Paz, with whales breaching and rays flying, put a nice end to our time here. Now cleared from the country we head south into the trades for a short 3000 miles! Thanks to everyone who helped us get the boat ready for the crossing in La Paz, from our parents and radio experts back home to the cruising community here in Mexico. Our boat is full of food and supplies and ready once more for the open ocean. We will be keeping in contact via our SSB radio with family and weather experts on shore and cruisers making the crossing.

Peace out Mexico, thanks for your hospitality!

Look for our next post from the Marquesas!

New Photos up!

Click on "Winter in the sea of Cortez" for a slideshow of photos in chronological order from Dec. to March.

3rd Mate

After a short trip throughout the islands north of La Paz and a visit from the lovely gal Romy, the boys found themselves back in La Paz, and missing something. That something came in the form of the their third partner in crime, Cory. Accompanied by best friend Graham they flew down and met up with the boys in the city of peace. After gathering grub and beverages, they set out to explore more of the inland coast. After exploring such places as the islands of Espertos del Santos and San Francisco/ San Jose and bays Everisto, Agua Verde and Bahia los Gatos they found themselves in Loreto, the oldest town on the Baja. This was the end of Grahams visit, we said our fair wells and heading back south to La Paz with wind on our backs flying the kite the whole way.

Coming into La Paz we found ourselves with four dorados on the lines and managed to see a whale shark! We are currently figuring out our SSB radio system and set-up as well as doing any last minute work on the boat before our short trip to the south pacific. More pictures up soon!

La Paz!

We left for Los Frailles early christmas morning, humpbacks breaching around us.. then a huge christmas dorado! We had a fantastic feast at anchor that evening. We hung out in Los Frailles for 2 more days, just swimming, snorkeling and relaxing on the beach... playing incredible games of Farkle (the dice-rolling, risk-taking game). We bought enough food for 5 people for 6 days, 100 beer and 3 litres of tequila for about $200 US in cabo. We spent a night in Ensenada de Los Muertos, where it rained (the first me and mike had seen in almost a month) but left early in the morning as we wanted to get to La Paz to meet up with Chris' family. We dug out the fenders and dock lines and are currently tied up at marina de La Paz. Theres showers, laundry, wireless, the works here. La Paz itself is cool, relaxed and authentically Mexican, with a huge amount of cruisers both anchored up and at the multiple marinas. The weather forecast looks great, and Brian, Marie and Taleah are here and having us for new years dinner, which is going to be awesome!