We decided to take a walk through the Australian bush in search of Koala’s and Kangaroos and were excited to find both.  The Kangaroos were easy to find but we had to approach at an angle to not frighten them off.   They were a hoot to watch hopping around and they were fortunate to… Continue reading Into the Bush of Australia

We had one of those rare days where all the elements of Mother Nature and itinerary conspired to create the perfect day to travel through the Fjords of New Zealand. It was amazing as our 974 foot ship was able to weave through a series of Fjords and there were only a few times when… Continue reading The Fjords of New Zealand

New Zealand treated us to some lovely early fall weather and we took advantage with a Bike ride in Napier and a Tryke ride in Rotarua.  In Napier we biked around the seashore and it was heaven, even on a 3-gear bike. Of course, we stopped to check out the first watering hole and enjoyed… Continue reading Bikes, Trykes, and Yellow Eyed Penguins

Wow what a journey to get to New Zealand – 5 hour flight from Miami to LAX, 6 hour flight from LAX to Honolulu, 9 hour flight from Honolulu to Auckland.  I feel sort of silly about a few of the surprises upon arrival. First, I never stopped to think about what side of the… Continue reading Chicken Crisp Cultural Divide

No I didn’t disappear but for the past month but I had my head down studying! The crazy nearly round world we live in creates all kinds of challenges for the Mariner. Those of you who know me well, realize I am more of a strategic thinker and planner and I get quickly bored with… Continue reading Navigation would be so much easier if the earth were flat!

Boat Handling is all about repetition and practice. Practice docking, practice backing up, practice springing off a dock, in wind, in current, on single screw, twin screw, outboards, inboards. Rinse and repeat. I’m really learning a lot, especially about the use of spring lines to get off a dock in heavy winds.  It really works… Continue reading Practice, Practice, Practice

Jan 6th started a new phase of my retirement “GAP” year and a half plan.  I am enrolled in the 2 month course for Professional Mariners Training at Chapman’s School of Seamanship in Stuart, FL  My goal is to increase my confidence and competence for taking WhimSea on the Great Loop. I had dreams that… Continue reading Chapman’s School of Seamanship

The final stop on my African adventure was the Motswari Game Lodge.  It was a great place to round out the trip of a lifetime. The lodge has a location close to an airport but even closer to Kruger National Park.  We arrived a bit hot and disheveled but a welcome drink and a view… Continue reading Motswari Lodge A final blissful stop in Africa

    Yes a post entirely about the Dung Beatle because they are fascinating and romantic. The Dung Beatle finds a piece of Elephant Dung and then the magic happens. The female creates a perfectly round ball. Then the female rides on the ball as the male rolls the ball around looking for the perfect… Continue reading The Dung Beatle

Victoria Falls is a mandatory stop on the African tours.  We saw the falls at the end of the dry season so less water was flowing but it is hard to imagine what it is like at the end of rainy season.  So 70% of the falls lie on the Zambian side but 70% of… Continue reading Victoria Falls – A Must Stop