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
Navigation would be so much easier if the earth were flat!
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!
Practice, Practice, Practice
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
Chapman’s School of Seamanship
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
Motswari Lodge A final blissful stop in Africa
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
The Dung Beatle
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 – A Must Stop
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
A Day in the Life on Safari
Thought you might like to know a typical days itinerary. Your schedule is dictated by the animals prime movements. So you typically have early game drives starting at 0530 and late afternoon drives starting at 1530. After a couple hours of viewing you stop for refreshments. Morning is tea and coffee and afternoon can be… Continue reading A Day in the Life on Safari
Birders Paradise
If you are a Birder then you probably already know Africa is a place where Birders are giddy and gasping in excitement. I have had quite the birding education the past week. I can now spot a New Ginea Fowl at 50 paces. We have seen several endangered and rare birds but I am sort… Continue reading Birders Paradise
Countries starting with the letter Z for $200
What is Zambia and Zimbabwe? I started my Safari in Zambia on the lower Zambezi river. We had Hippo’s galore but this shot caught by my travel companion with the camera lens as long as her arm just thrilled me. Hippo’s are pretty tough to take pictures of because they tend to go under water… Continue reading Countries starting with the letter Z for $200
WanderlustandWhimSea 