While we made a quick drive by in Sydney, we loitered in the Great Barrier Reef. It seems like a lot of my adventures involve really small planes and questionable landing zones, and this was no exception. We boarded a small plane that took a low-level flight following the Great Barrier Reef several hundred kilometers… Continue reading The Great Barrier Reef Lived up to its name!
Sydney Drive By
To say I’ve seen Sydney would be a gross exaggeration! Our ship arrived in Sydney and we were greeted with this lovely sunrise behind the Opera House. I would have included the selfie of the same view, but I consistently look like a crazy person in selfie photos. I’m not sure if my arms aren’t… Continue reading Sydney Drive By
Into the Bush of Australia
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
The Fjords of New Zealand
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
Bikes, Trykes, and Yellow Eyed Penguins
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
Chicken Crisp Cultural Divide
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
WanderlustandWhimSea 