A good days sailing with nice conditions and some sunshine (which is a first for this leg as despite the weather being hot its been a bit overcast and cloudy). We sailed well until 5:30am when the wind dropped and the swell started knocking us about so we put the engine on. We have just been hit by a huge cloud full of rain but it has now passed over and taken the remainder of the wind with it! So motoring continues - hopefully the wind will fill in soon!!
24 Hour Run: 146 n/m
Distance to Run: 1,966 n/m
Thursday 30 April 2009
Wednesday 29 April 2009
Galapagos - Marquesas Day 6
A funny old day ...
It started off in the same vein as the last couple with good SE winds and good progress being made. Then around noon we started to lose the wind and it shifted further into the south. We persevered and sailed on at a slower rate until around 6pm when the wind died altogether as we approached a huge bank of black cloud. Rain, lightening and head winds treated us for 5 hours while we motored through the cloud. Thereafter we would get SE winds and sail for 2 hours then the wind would die and we would motor for 2 hours, before it once again returned, then left again, then returned! Very odd. We believe it may be the ITCZ (Inter-tropical Convergence Zone) which moves around and is where the cold southern ocean winds and currents meet the warm equatorial ones causing chaos! Hopefully we are through the worst of it now!
Also, we had a food throwing day - we bought 3 packs of vacuum packed sausages in Panama which we tried and didn't like, so 2 of them went over the side. We then found a box of nuts from the Canaries which had gone soft so they went over the side, swiftly followed by the baking flour we bought in Panama which turned out to have weevils in when we opened it!!
24 Hour Run: 121 n/m
Distance to Run: 2,118 n/m
It started off in the same vein as the last couple with good SE winds and good progress being made. Then around noon we started to lose the wind and it shifted further into the south. We persevered and sailed on at a slower rate until around 6pm when the wind died altogether as we approached a huge bank of black cloud. Rain, lightening and head winds treated us for 5 hours while we motored through the cloud. Thereafter we would get SE winds and sail for 2 hours then the wind would die and we would motor for 2 hours, before it once again returned, then left again, then returned! Very odd. We believe it may be the ITCZ (Inter-tropical Convergence Zone) which moves around and is where the cold southern ocean winds and currents meet the warm equatorial ones causing chaos! Hopefully we are through the worst of it now!
Also, we had a food throwing day - we bought 3 packs of vacuum packed sausages in Panama which we tried and didn't like, so 2 of them went over the side. We then found a box of nuts from the Canaries which had gone soft so they went over the side, swiftly followed by the baking flour we bought in Panama which turned out to have weevils in when we opened it!!
24 Hour Run: 121 n/m
Distance to Run: 2,118 n/m
Tuesday 28 April 2009
Galapagos - Marquesas Day 5
We had good winds again for the last 24 hours and the seas seem to softening a little (either that or we are getting used to living in a washing machine again!). Our course to the Marquesas is around 260 but we found we could sail 270 with a poled out genoa and make good speeds which is what we had been doing for the last couple of days. However the wind seemed to weaken slightly so we decided it was time to head a little further south in search of stronger trade winds (further south generally has stronger winds but less current). To do this we took the genoa off the pole and flew it behind the main - however to stop it banging and help it fill we found we had to sail at 250! I'm sure we'll find a way of sailing fast and in the right direction soon! We are getting along well - we have pulled out on the other boats (34 - 50ft) every day and are only 14 miles behind a 50ft catamaran that left the same time as us.
24 Hour Run: 161 n/m
Distance to Run: 2,257 n/m
24 Hour Run: 161 n/m
Distance to Run: 2,257 n/m
Monday 27 April 2009
Galapagos - Marquesas Day 4
Another good 24 hours of sailing. We are running slightly north of the rhumb line to keep the wind dead astern which is where we sail best. The sea is slightly lumpy but we are making excellent progress thus far.
Our email system is quite slow at the moment due our proximity to the shore stations we use in South America. Therefore, whilst we really enjoy hearing from people, please can you limit emails to a couple of sentances - thanks.
24 Hour Run: 163 n/m
Distance to Run: 2,419 n/m
Our email system is quite slow at the moment due our proximity to the shore stations we use in South America. Therefore, whilst we really enjoy hearing from people, please can you limit emails to a couple of sentances - thanks.
24 Hour Run: 163 n/m
Distance to Run: 2,419 n/m
Sunday 26 April 2009
Galapagos - Marquesas Day 3
A good 24 hours of sailing at last! We emerged from the heavy cloud and although the skies have still been grey and overcast with some drizzley patches of rain we have had between 5 and 15 knots of SE wind the whole time. We have been sailing between 6 and 8.5 knots and despite the slightly lumpy seas are glad to be sailing and not motoring!
We celebrated with Popcorn after tea last night!
24 Hour Run: 160 n/m
Distance to Run: 2,581 n/m
We celebrated with Popcorn after tea last night!
24 Hour Run: 160 n/m
Distance to Run: 2,581 n/m
Saturday 25 April 2009
Galapagos - Marquesas Day 2
Another day of no wind and rolly seas. The engine 'Perky' (Perkins Diesel!) continues to chug away pushing us SW in search of the elusive SE trade winds which should whisk us along to the Marquesas. There are 4 other boats within VHF range of us, all of which have the same conditions. Lots of time spent reading books and lounging in the cockpit reacquainting ourselves with life at sea.
We managed to sail for around 1.5 hours just after tea but then we hit a huge bank of cloud which had rain and thunderstorms! We stayed within this seemingly endless bank all night and motored through its fickle winds.
This morning at around 8am the wind filled and as I write we are whisking along at 6.5-7 knots with SE winds and clear skies ahead (at last!).
24 Hour Run: 139 n/m
Distance to Run: 2,712 n/m
We managed to sail for around 1.5 hours just after tea but then we hit a huge bank of cloud which had rain and thunderstorms! We stayed within this seemingly endless bank all night and motored through its fickle winds.
This morning at around 8am the wind filled and as I write we are whisking along at 6.5-7 knots with SE winds and clear skies ahead (at last!).
24 Hour Run: 139 n/m
Distance to Run: 2,712 n/m
Friday 24 April 2009
Galapagos - Marquesas Day 1
Yesterday morning at 7am we set off on the longest leg of our trip (and the longest leg for most circumnavigators). It was strange as we didn't feel any of the anxiety we did before we set off across the Atlantic. Funnily enough it just seemed like a normal thing to be doing!
The Pacific leg we are on now will take us only half way across the Pacific yet it is over 3,000 miles! The Pacific is quite huge really, more than twice the size of the Atlantic Ocean, theoretically able to easily contain all the world's land masses with room to spare, over 6 miles deep in places and trenches that are 1.5 miles deeper than Mount Everest is tall!!
Despite this fearsome set of statistics we have been motoring over a glassy sea for the last 24 hours due to zero wind! 4 other boats left with us (Christine Anne, Sunchaser, T-Rex and Orono 1) and we are all chugging along burning our Galapagos diesel. We need to head south to at least 5 degrees south before we get the SE trades which we are hoping will push us along nicely all the way to the Marquesas.
All is well on board as we settle into life at sea - only another 3 or 4 weeks to go!!
The Pacific leg we are on now will take us only half way across the Pacific yet it is over 3,000 miles! The Pacific is quite huge really, more than twice the size of the Atlantic Ocean, theoretically able to easily contain all the world's land masses with room to spare, over 6 miles deep in places and trenches that are 1.5 miles deeper than Mount Everest is tall!!
Despite this fearsome set of statistics we have been motoring over a glassy sea for the last 24 hours due to zero wind! 4 other boats left with us (Christine Anne, Sunchaser, T-Rex and Orono 1) and we are all chugging along burning our Galapagos diesel. We need to head south to at least 5 degrees south before we get the SE trades which we are hoping will push us along nicely all the way to the Marquesas.
All is well on board as we settle into life at sea - only another 3 or 4 weeks to go!!
24 Hour Run: 138 n/m
Distance to Run: 2,900 n/m
Thursday 23 April 2009
Wreck Bay, San Cristobal, Galapagos, 22nd April
Too very sleepy Newts headed ashore to do jobs this morning. Before heading ashore we filled the water tanks and tasted the water in the 2 that had escaped but it tasted fine. As we had lost 2 bottles we needed abit more water but Sunchaser and Christine Anne both have water makers and offered us some to top up the tanks which was great.
Ashore we went to the market and fruit shops to stock up on fresh food before the trip and did internet jobs. We tried to skype home but the connection wasnt good enough :(
As we were heading ashore a fishing boat was dragging its anchor/ mooring buoy and was heading towards the rocks. We tried to tell the water taxi driver and harbour master but they didnt understand and an hour later it hit the rocks.
At 11am the port captain requested we all headed back to our boats as the swell was getting dangerous and some of the boats had to move to keep clear of the fishing boat they were trying unsuccessfully to pull off the rocks.
On the boats the swell seemed to be easing slightly but i think the fishing boat hitting the rocks had got the port captain worried and he didnt want any of the yachts going the same way.
On the boat we did some cleaning, defrosted the fridge and cleaned the hull before heading ashore to get croissants and yoghurt and then have a beer and dinner.
An early night tonight before we head off on the first (and longest) leg of our pacific journey.
Ashore we went to the market and fruit shops to stock up on fresh food before the trip and did internet jobs. We tried to skype home but the connection wasnt good enough :(
As we were heading ashore a fishing boat was dragging its anchor/ mooring buoy and was heading towards the rocks. We tried to tell the water taxi driver and harbour master but they didnt understand and an hour later it hit the rocks.
At 11am the port captain requested we all headed back to our boats as the swell was getting dangerous and some of the boats had to move to keep clear of the fishing boat they were trying unsuccessfully to pull off the rocks.
On the boats the swell seemed to be easing slightly but i think the fishing boat hitting the rocks had got the port captain worried and he didnt want any of the yachts going the same way.
On the boat we did some cleaning, defrosted the fridge and cleaned the hull before heading ashore to get croissants and yoghurt and then have a beer and dinner.
An early night tonight before we head off on the first (and longest) leg of our pacific journey.
We have had an amazing time in the Galapagos - it is a spectacular place to visit. The landscape and animals are brilliant and to be able to get so near all the wildlife and do things like swim with Sea Lions has been amazing. It has also been very very hot here - the equatorial sun is scorching!! We have been using factor 30 and 70 sun cream and still getting burnt!
Despite rumors to the contrary it is also at times a very cheap place. We were getting 3 course meals for $3 (£2) and even the tourist souvenirs werent very expensive ($10 for a t shirt). It could be expensive to travel between the islands and do some tours but doing research we managed to find a good value option ($220 for 3 days and 2 nights including accommodation and food).
The boat things are sometimes hard!! You need an agent to check in whose charges start at $100 but can be negotiated down - we got a good deal for our group of 10 boats. The fuel is sold at about $1 to locals but yachts can only buy it at about $2.10. We got our fuel through the agent so it was delivered to the boat and he said it would be $2.50 but ended up being $2.70??!! It is hard and frustrating at times but part of the cruising experience!!
Wreck Bay, San Cristobal, Galapagos, 21st April
We had a mixed night of sleep due to a swell starting in the bay that seemed to come through in patches.
We headed ashore early to go for a walk on the headland with Christine Anne and Sunchaser and to go across to the bay where we could swim with baby seals. The walk was lovely and we managed to swim with seals with frigate birds also circling overhead as a fishing boat had dropped some parrot fish carcass in the water that they were all eating.
On the way back to town we stopped at the Interpretation Centre to read about the islands history and the problems facing the islands.
In town we collected the laundry, had coffee and cake and bought a birthday present for Alice (Vagabond Heart).
After lunch Jonny and Russ worked on our water pump whilst Brenda, Chris and I dropped the passports off so we could clear out and did some shopping.
At 5pm we got some water delivered ($2 for 20 litres) in the water cooler bottles and then headed over to Vagabond Heart for Alices birthday party (she is 11 on the 26th but as we will be at sea she is celebrating early). We had a great night with Jonny and Jim (Balu) playing their guitars.
There was still swell with bad patches coming through every now and again. When we went to bed we left 15 bottles of water around the deck. At 3am a bad patch of swell came through and there was a huge crash as the water bottles starting falling into the water!! We lost 4 over the side but managed to rescue 2 from the boarding ladder and got the rest into the cockpit.
We headed ashore early to go for a walk on the headland with Christine Anne and Sunchaser and to go across to the bay where we could swim with baby seals. The walk was lovely and we managed to swim with seals with frigate birds also circling overhead as a fishing boat had dropped some parrot fish carcass in the water that they were all eating.
On the way back to town we stopped at the Interpretation Centre to read about the islands history and the problems facing the islands.
In town we collected the laundry, had coffee and cake and bought a birthday present for Alice (Vagabond Heart).
After lunch Jonny and Russ worked on our water pump whilst Brenda, Chris and I dropped the passports off so we could clear out and did some shopping.
At 5pm we got some water delivered ($2 for 20 litres) in the water cooler bottles and then headed over to Vagabond Heart for Alices birthday party (she is 11 on the 26th but as we will be at sea she is celebrating early). We had a great night with Jonny and Jim (Balu) playing their guitars.
There was still swell with bad patches coming through every now and again. When we went to bed we left 15 bottles of water around the deck. At 3am a bad patch of swell came through and there was a huge crash as the water bottles starting falling into the water!! We lost 4 over the side but managed to rescue 2 from the boarding ladder and got the rest into the cockpit.
Wreck Bay, San Cristobal, Galapagos, 20th April
A morning ashore to do jobs: drop off the laundry, buy dvds and use the internet.
Once the jobs were done we headed back to the boat for lunch (most shops close between 12 and 3) and some relaxing.
In the afternoon we headed ashore again to do some souvenir shopping.
An early tea and a dvd before bed.
Once the jobs were done we headed back to the boat for lunch (most shops close between 12 and 3) and some relaxing.
In the afternoon we headed ashore again to do some souvenir shopping.
An early tea and a dvd before bed.
Pacific Crossing
Before we left the UK most of our planning was focused on the UK to Panama with the Pacific planning just being that we would island hop to Australia! As we are now in the Pacific we are starting to look more at our route and thought you might appreciate an update.
From the Galapagos we have a 3000 mile sail to the Marquesas (part of French Polynesia) - due to (hopefully) good currents and winds this should take about 20 days.
From the Marquesas we head to the Tuamotu Islands - still part of French Polynesia - very remote and meant to be stunning.
From the Tuamotus we head to the Society Islands - Tahiti, Bora Bora (still Frnech Polynesia).
From the Marquesas to Tahiti it is a 757 mile trip but obviously we are going via the Tuamotus which will break this up.
From the Society Islands it is a 534 mile trip to the Southern Cook Islands - Rarotonga, Aitutaki which should take about 5 days.
From the Cook Islands we have a 815 mile trip to Tonga which should take about 7/8 days.
From Tonga we have a 429 mile trip to Fiji where we are especially looking forward to revisiting the Yasawa Islands we went to on our honeymoon. This should take about 4 days.
From Fiji a 616 mile trip to Vanuatu (6 days), from Vanuatu a 371 mile trip (3 days) to New Caledonia and then from New Caledonia a 1000 mile trip (10 days) to Australia!
We are hoping to arrive in Australia in mid Oct to give Jonny a couple of weeks before he starts work on the 2nd Nov. We think we will head into Coffs Harbour (about 200 miles north of Sydney) because the customs there are meant to be abit more yacht friendly and then head down to Sydney. To make the boat accessible in the first couple of weeks we are hoping to find it a home in the harbour and then will move it up to Pittwater for the long term - hopefully on a mooring buoy.
The distances are very rough and the days is based on approx 100 mile days but hopefully we will be doing abit more than this as the weather is meant to be good and the seas relatively calm.
Wreck Bay, San Cristobal, Galapagos, 21st April
We had a mixed night of sleep due to a swell starting in the bay that seemed to come through in patches.
We headed ashore early to go for a walk on the headland with Christine Anne and Sunchaser and to go across to the bay where we could swim with baby seals. The walk was lovely and we managed to swim with seals with frigate birds also circling overhead as a fishing boat had dropped some parrot fish carcass in the water that they were all eating.
On the way back to town we stopped at the Interpretation Centre to read about the islands history and the problems facing the islands.
In town we collected the laundry, had coffee and cake and bought a birthday present for Alice (Vagabond Heart).
After lunch Jonny and Russ worked on our water pump whilst Brenda, Chris and I dropped the passports off so we could clear out and did some shopping.
At 5pm we got some water delivered ($2 for 20 litres) in the water cooler bottles and then headed over to Vagabond Heart for Alices birthday party (she is 11 on the 26th but as we will be at sea she is celebrating early). We had a great night with Jonny and Jim (Balu) playing their guitars.
There was still swell with bad patches coming through every now and again. When we went to bed we left 15 bottles of water around the deck. At 3am a bad patch of swell came through and there was a huge crash as the water bottles starting falling into the water!! We lost 4 over the side but managed to rescue 2 from the boarding ladder and got the rest into the cockpit.
We headed ashore early to go for a walk on the headland with Christine Anne and Sunchaser and to go across to the bay where we could swim with baby seals. The walk was lovely and we managed to swim with seals with frigate birds also circling overhead as a fishing boat had dropped some parrot fish carcass in the water that they were all eating.
On the way back to town we stopped at the Interpretation Centre to read about the islands history and the problems facing the islands.
In town we collected the laundry, had coffee and cake and bought a birthday present for Alice (Vagabond Heart).
After lunch Jonny and Russ worked on our water pump whilst Brenda, Chris and I dropped the passports off so we could clear out and did some shopping.
At 5pm we got some water delivered ($2 for 20 litres) in the water cooler bottles and then headed over to Vagabond Heart for Alices birthday party (she is 11 on the 26th but as we will be at sea she is celebrating early). We had a great night with Jonny and Jim (Balu) playing their guitars.
There was still swell with bad patches coming through every now and again. When we went to bed we left 15 bottles of water around the deck. At 3am a bad patch of swell came through and there was a huge crash as the water bottles starting falling into the water!! We lost 4 over the side but managed to rescue 2 from the boarding ladder and got the rest into the cockpit.
Wreck Bay, San Cristobal, Galapagos, 20th April
A morning ashore to do jobs: drop off the laundry, buy dvds and use the internet.
Once the jobs were done we headed back to the boat for lunch (most shops close between 12 and 3) and some relaxing.
In the afternoon we headed ashore again to do some souvenir shopping.
An early tea and a dvd before bed.
Once the jobs were done we headed back to the boat for lunch (most shops close between 12 and 3) and some relaxing.
In the afternoon we headed ashore again to do some souvenir shopping.
An early tea and a dvd before bed.
Sunday 19 April 2009
17th - 19th April Santa Cruz and Isabella Tour
Fri 17th
There was a big group of us going on the island tour - Sunchaser, Christine Anne, Vagabond Heart, Calysta, Silk Sheets and 2 German guys. We got our boat at 7am across to Santa Cruz where we arrived just after 9am.
We decided to head to the Darwin Centre to see Lonesome George. The centre wasnt what we were expecting - it was a small display room with a boardwalk round the tortoises and land iguanas. It was amazing to see the giant tortoises including George and to be able to get so close to them and to also see the land iguanas.
After the Darwin centre we found a restaurant in town doing 3 course lunch for $3.50 which the others had whilst we eat our packed lunch!!
At 2pm we got the boat to Isabella arriving about 4.30pm and were met by our guide Edwardo. He took us to our hotel which seemed really nice - fridge, tv, air con and a shower!! Then we went for a walk to see the flamingos but there so only one there so we headed to the beach to see the marine iguanas.
From the beach we had a stop at a bar for beers before heading back to the hotel for showers and then dinner.
After dinner we headed back to the hotel and snuggled in bed watching the tv!!
Sat 18th
Breakfast at 7.30 then we made our packed lunches before heading off to the volcano in the bus. We arrived at the base of the volcano and were given horses. Once we set off Jonny wasnt seen again whilst mine was happy to plod along at the back. Jonny's horse and its friend (with Ben from Silk Sheets on it) had rushed to the front of our group, then caught up the group in front and passed them arriving half an hour before me and the other stragglers!!
The summit of the Sierra Negro volcano was amazing - it is the 2nd largest crater in the world with a diameter of 30km.
From there we walked to the crate of a smaller volcano (Chico) and stopped for lunch with an amazing view. From here we could see the smoke from the volcano on Fernandina that has been erupting recently.
Back to the horses and back down the volcano - after the 2nd 1.5 hour ride i have had enough of horses for a while!! Back to the hotel for an hour to get ready for our afternoon snorkel.
We snorkeled near Las Tintos island just off Isabella. On the first snorkel we saw lots of fish and a shark and then on the second snorkel we saw a large manta ray. On the way to Las Tintos we saw penguins, blue footed boobies and seals.
Finally we walked round Las Tintos - we saw the marine iguanas 'spitting' - they take in too much salt so 'spit' it out of their nostrils and seals but no more sharks.
After tea we had a early night watching tv in bed.
Sun 19th
An early start this morning to catch the ferry at 6am. We arrived in Santa ~Cruz about 8.30 and had some breakfast.
We had a nice time exploring the shops with Sunchaser, Christine Anne and Calysta. Just before lunch we bumped into White Hawk who were anchored in Santa Cruz and they joined us for the $3.50 lunch.
The ferry back to San Cristobal was at 2pm and was a bumpy ride.
Back in San Cristobal we had ice creams before heading over to see Pegasus who had arrived whilst we had been away.
Back on Newt for an early night and the rest of the Galapagos dvd.
Wreck Bay, San Cristobal, Galapagos, 16th April
A slow start to the day after a late night at the bbq. A trip ashore to the hardware shop to get some plumbing bits.
Back to the boat to get diesel from our agent - he said he would arrive between 11 and 12 and turned up at 2!!
Full of diesel we headed ashore to do some internet jobs and get some bread and snacks for our trip the next day.
After an early tea we watched the start of a BBC Galapagos dvd lent to us by Sunchaser which was really interesting and made us more excited about our trip tomorrow.
Back to the boat to get diesel from our agent - he said he would arrive between 11 and 12 and turned up at 2!!
Full of diesel we headed ashore to do some internet jobs and get some bread and snacks for our trip the next day.
After an early tea we watched the start of a BBC Galapagos dvd lent to us by Sunchaser which was really interesting and made us more excited about our trip tomorrow.
Wreck Bay, San Cristobal, Galapagos, 15th April
We got a taxi to a beach this morning where we were hoping to swim with seals, dolphins and turtles. We went with Sunchaser, Honeymoon and Chris from Christine Anne. There were lots of seals on the rocks but none swimming but were lots of turtles.
From the beach we went to a lagoon in a volcano crater and a Giant Tortoise breeding centre. Due to the fact that the Giant Tortoise population is decreasing they have taken some from the wild and are breeding them. The baby tortoises were amazing and so tiny.
In the afternoon we filled up our diesel tanks with our jerry jugs ready to get them refilled by Fernado, our agent. Diesel is $1.02 a gallon for the locals but yachts have to pay more. It is $2.10 a gallon to get permission from the Port Captain and take your jerry jugs to the petrol station or $2.50 a gallon if the agent sorts it out for you and delivers it to the boat. We decided it was easier for the agent to do it - he is bringing our filled jugs and some extra diesel back tomorrow.
Afterwards we had a much needed swim and there was a seal playing round the boat and swimming with us which was amazing.
At 5.30 we headed ashore to try and sort out a tour to some of the other islands and have booked a 3 day, 2 night tour to Santa Cruz and Isabella on Friday - at the moment Sunchaser, Vagabond Heart, Christine Anne and Calysta are also doing the same tour with some of the other boats also considering it.
At 7pm we got picked up to go to a bbq at the agents house. It was a great night with chance to catch up with everyone and meet some new people. After the food we had some local Ecuadorian music which was great.
From the beach we went to a lagoon in a volcano crater and a Giant Tortoise breeding centre. Due to the fact that the Giant Tortoise population is decreasing they have taken some from the wild and are breeding them. The baby tortoises were amazing and so tiny.
In the afternoon we filled up our diesel tanks with our jerry jugs ready to get them refilled by Fernado, our agent. Diesel is $1.02 a gallon for the locals but yachts have to pay more. It is $2.10 a gallon to get permission from the Port Captain and take your jerry jugs to the petrol station or $2.50 a gallon if the agent sorts it out for you and delivers it to the boat. We decided it was easier for the agent to do it - he is bringing our filled jugs and some extra diesel back tomorrow.
Afterwards we had a much needed swim and there was a seal playing round the boat and swimming with us which was amazing.
At 5.30 we headed ashore to try and sort out a tour to some of the other islands and have booked a 3 day, 2 night tour to Santa Cruz and Isabella on Friday - at the moment Sunchaser, Vagabond Heart, Christine Anne and Calysta are also doing the same tour with some of the other boats also considering it.
At 7pm we got picked up to go to a bbq at the agents house. It was a great night with chance to catch up with everyone and meet some new people. After the food we had some local Ecuadorian music which was great.
Wednesday 15 April 2009
Wreck Bay, San Cristobal, Galapagos, 14th April
Our plans to go to the beach this morning were put on hold by Christine Anne receiving some bad news from home.
Instead we had a lazy morning on the boat and then went ashore with Sunchaser to use the internet and have some lunch. We found a cafe with wifi and yummy milkshakes (fresh fruit and milk) but the internet wasnt working very well so we decided to have lunch and find another internet option afterwards. For lunch we went to a restaurant that had a 2 course meal and a drink for $2.50. On arrival we were given a jug of fresh watermelon juice which was lovely and soup. Then there seemed to be an option for the 2nd course but we couldnt understand so we went into the kitchen to have a look. It was very basic and they had 2 big pans - one with a potato salad type thing and one with a creamy chicken type thing. We decided to order 4 of the chicken thing but we ended u with 2 potato salad things but managed to get 2 chicken things. The potato salad was nice with some prawns in it ... the chicken thing was a satay sauce with (we think??!!) tripe in it but Jonny still managed to eat most of it and said it was nice.
We found a place to do some internet and then headed back to Sunchaser for a drink as it was getting very hot.
After a drink Jonny and I headed back to shore and tried to find out some information about tours of the other islands.
For tea we went back to the original internet cafe and had burger and chips which was nice before heading back to the boat to watch one of our new dvds.
Instead we had a lazy morning on the boat and then went ashore with Sunchaser to use the internet and have some lunch. We found a cafe with wifi and yummy milkshakes (fresh fruit and milk) but the internet wasnt working very well so we decided to have lunch and find another internet option afterwards. For lunch we went to a restaurant that had a 2 course meal and a drink for $2.50. On arrival we were given a jug of fresh watermelon juice which was lovely and soup. Then there seemed to be an option for the 2nd course but we couldnt understand so we went into the kitchen to have a look. It was very basic and they had 2 big pans - one with a potato salad type thing and one with a creamy chicken type thing. We decided to order 4 of the chicken thing but we ended u with 2 potato salad things but managed to get 2 chicken things. The potato salad was nice with some prawns in it ... the chicken thing was a satay sauce with (we think??!!) tripe in it but Jonny still managed to eat most of it and said it was nice.
We found a place to do some internet and then headed back to Sunchaser for a drink as it was getting very hot.
After a drink Jonny and I headed back to shore and tried to find out some information about tours of the other islands.
For tea we went back to the original internet cafe and had burger and chips which was nice before heading back to the boat to watch one of our new dvds.
Tuesday 14 April 2009
Wreck Bay, San Cristobal, Galapagos 13th April
We arrived in Wreck Bay at 11am. We were welcomed into the bay by seals. The bay is by the town of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno which is much larger than we expected.
We got checked in ($155 which is much cheaper than expected) and had a walk around the town. Saw the seals sunbathing on the beach and benches in the town. You take a water taxi ashore (for $0.50 each) as the seals use any dinghies ashore as sun loungers!!
We are planning on going to a beach tomorrow to swim with some turtles, seals and dolphins.
We watched a dvd and had an early night.
We got checked in ($155 which is much cheaper than expected) and had a walk around the town. Saw the seals sunbathing on the beach and benches in the town. You take a water taxi ashore (for $0.50 each) as the seals use any dinghies ashore as sun loungers!!
We are planning on going to a beach tomorrow to swim with some turtles, seals and dolphins.
We watched a dvd and had an early night.
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Monday 13 April 2009
Day 8 Las Perlas to Galapagos
A slow day drifting along to ensure that we arrived at the islands in daylight tomorrow. We managed to keep sailing with the main and cruising chute until sunset and then switched to main and genoa - down to 2 knots at times.
As we have got closer the wildlife has increased. Crazy dolphins jumping out of the water at sunset, we could have whales blowing in the dark. At sunset a booby bird came and stopped on our spinnaker pole which we had left out after using it with the cruising chute and decided he would have a lift to the islands. About 4 hours later another one decided it looked like a good spot so came it join it - after abit of squawking they realised there was room for 2 and went to sleep - whenever we got a slight rolly they would wake up and squawk at the rudeness of the boat waking them up and go back to sleep!
We are now heading down the coast of the island with 15 miles to go til the anchorage.
As we have got closer the wildlife has increased. Crazy dolphins jumping out of the water at sunset, we could have whales blowing in the dark. At sunset a booby bird came and stopped on our spinnaker pole which we had left out after using it with the cruising chute and decided he would have a lift to the islands. About 4 hours later another one decided it looked like a good spot so came it join it - after abit of squawking they realised there was room for 2 and went to sleep - whenever we got a slight rolly they would wake up and squawk at the rudeness of the boat waking them up and go back to sleep!
We are now heading down the coast of the island with 15 miles to go til the anchorage.
Distance traveled Day 8: 81 miles
Total distance traveled: 856 miles
Distance remaining: 15 miles
Sunday 12 April 2009
Day 7 Las Perlas to Galapagos - Across the Equator
Light winds again today. We managed to sail with the cruising chute up until 6pm and then have been motoring every since.
We crossed the equator at 2.30am. We had champagne and mini eggs which we hope Neptune also enjoyed. We spoke to Sunchaser on the radio and he told us we also had to give Neptune a lock of hair each which we did. Hopefully he will reward us soon with some wind!! We ran the tap north of the equator and the water drained clockwise, we did the same south of the equator and it drained anti clockwise!!
We have 75 miles to go to the Galapagos so will be turning the engine off soon to ensure we drift there for daylight tomorrow.
We crossed the equator at 2.30am. We had champagne and mini eggs which we hope Neptune also enjoyed. We spoke to Sunchaser on the radio and he told us we also had to give Neptune a lock of hair each which we did. Hopefully he will reward us soon with some wind!! We ran the tap north of the equator and the water drained clockwise, we did the same south of the equator and it drained anti clockwise!!
We have 75 miles to go to the Galapagos so will be turning the engine off soon to ensure we drift there for daylight tomorrow.
Day 7 distance traveled: 115 miles
Total distance traveled: 775 miles
Distance remaining: 75 niles
Saturday 11 April 2009
Day 6 Las Perlas to Galapagos
A good days sailing with the main, stay sail and genoa out. Motored for a couple of hours overnight when the wind died slightly in order to charge the batteries.
Kate made chocolate chip cookies today - yummy :)
As you head closer to the Galapagos the water starts to get colder as the Antarctica current heads this way. It is starting to get colder at night now and Jonny needed a coat during his final watch tonight.
Kate made chocolate chip cookies today - yummy :)
As you head closer to the Galapagos the water starts to get colder as the Antarctica current heads this way. It is starting to get colder at night now and Jonny needed a coat during his final watch tonight.
Distance traveled Day 6: 101 miles
Total distance traveled: 660 miles
Distance remaining: 190 miles
Friday 10 April 2009
Day 5 Las Perlas to Galapagos
A good days sailing in light downwind conditions with the main on one side and the genoa on the other. At 6pm the wind died and started to change direction so we had to motor for a couple of hours. By 11pm we had SE winds and are on a beam reach with main, genoa and stay sail out and have been sailing like that ever since.
Crew are both doing well - looking forward to crossing the equator in a couple of days and mini eggs on sun!! Jonny made bread rolls again today which were good and meant we could have a nice sandwich for lunch.
Crew are both doing well - looking forward to crossing the equator in a couple of days and mini eggs on sun!! Jonny made bread rolls again today which were good and meant we could have a nice sandwich for lunch.
Distance traveled on Day 5: 97 miles
Total distance traveled: 559 miles
Distance remaining: 288 miles
Thursday 9 April 2009
Day 4 Las Perlas to Galapagos
A great days sailing today. We had winds from the SE all day so were sailing close hauled and had up to 15 knots of wind in the evening. But then it died again and we had to motor from 10pm to about 3am when the wind filled in from the NE and we are making good progress downwind with about 10 knots. We are now passed thye halfway point in the trip :)
Day 4 distance travelled: 101 miles
Distance remaining: 384 miles
Wednesday 8 April 2009
Day 3 Las Perlas to Galapagos
A slow day today. We sailed with the main and cruising chute up until about 1pm when we realised we were getting pushed about 40 degrees off course by the current and the sails were just banging around so we put the motor on. We motored for the rest of the day until about 10pm when we managed to get enough wind to set the sails. When we spoke to the other boats on the net at 5pm all apart from 2 boats were motoring!! We had a good sail for the rest of the night. Kate got a lesson in navigation lights at 3.30am when she saw a mast head nav light with 2 horizontal white lights below it - this is a stationary fishing vessel with nets out over 150m - luckily we were going to pass far enough away!
Day 3 distance covered: 91 miles
Total distance covered: 361 miles
Tuesday 7 April 2009
Day 2 Las Perlas to Galapagos
A nice days sailing with enough wind to keep the sails filled and some current pushing us along. By 8pm the wind had died completely so we put the engine on. Between 1am and 5am we had a nice breeze but that died as well so the rest of the night was motoring. We are now back sailing with a SE breeze doing 4 knots.
Day 2 distance : 119 miles
Total distance: 270 miles
Monday 6 April 2009
Day 1 Las Perlas to Galapagos
The plan had been to spend at least another day in the Las Perlas to try and avoid arriving over the Easter weekend but last night a 15 knot northerly started blowing and by the morning it was still there and too good to miss so by 8am there had been a mass exodus from the anchorage!
We started off with main and genoa and switch to main and cruising chute as the wind eased making good progress with some current. We took the cruising chute down at sunset (too hard to handle in the dark if the wind gets up or something happens) and pulled the genoa back out.
At 3.30am the wind died completely so we motored for a couple of hours but are now sailing along with the main and genoa.
We started off with main and genoa and switch to main and cruising chute as the wind eased making good progress with some current. We took the cruising chute down at sunset (too hard to handle in the dark if the wind gets up or something happens) and pulled the genoa back out.
At 3.30am the wind died completely so we motored for a couple of hours but are now sailing along with the main and genoa.
First Days Run: 151 miles
Isla Pedro Gonzalez, 4th April
Jonny started the day at Sunchaser helping them fit their new SSB radio. Then we headed to the beach to start preparing the dinghy so we could glue the rubbing strip back on.
After lunch we decided to leave the rest of the dinghy until tomorrow morning and have an afternoon on the beach. So we took the hammock, lilo and are books and had a lovely afternoon on the beach followed by some fun and games in the sea with the Vagabond Heart and Orono kids!!
In the evening there was a fish bbq on the beach but we decided to have a night on the boat and ad a lovely evening.
After lunch we decided to leave the rest of the dinghy until tomorrow morning and have an afternoon on the beach. So we took the hammock, lilo and are books and had a lovely afternoon on the beach followed by some fun and games in the sea with the Vagabond Heart and Orono kids!!
In the evening there was a fish bbq on the beach but we decided to have a night on the boat and ad a lovely evening.
Friday 3 April 2009
Isla Pedro Gonzalez, 3rd April
Kate spent the morning at Christine Anne making the final courtesay flags we needed for the pacific whilst Jonny did boy jobs.
After lunch with Sunchaser Jonny went up the mast to replace the padding on our spreaders to protect the main sail.
The quiet anchorage (with 2 boats) we arrived in is now nearly full as the others arrived - Vagabond Heart, Christine Anne, Sunchaser, Honeymoon, Balu, Ketchup 2 (Australian boat, Keith and Anne, originally english) and Red Herring.
Christine Anne fridge had broken so we had a bbq on the beach with their meat and had a lovely night.
After lunch with Sunchaser Jonny went up the mast to replace the padding on our spreaders to protect the main sail.
The quiet anchorage (with 2 boats) we arrived in is now nearly full as the others arrived - Vagabond Heart, Christine Anne, Sunchaser, Honeymoon, Balu, Ketchup 2 (Australian boat, Keith and Anne, originally english) and Red Herring.
Christine Anne fridge had broken so we had a bbq on the beach with their meat and had a lovely night.
Isla Pedro Gonzalez, 2nd April
After another rolly night we decided it was time to move. In the morning we did a couple of jobs before heading off for the 15 mile motor sail to Pedro Gonzalez.
We had abit of wind so were able to set the genoa and had a nice sail through the Perlas past lots of islands with white sandy beaches.
Once we dropped the anchor Andy (Calysta) came over to catch up, after a swim (once the tide had turned and the jellyfish had disappeared) we then we headed ashore for sundown drinks at 5pm.
We had abit of wind so were able to set the genoa and had a nice sail through the Perlas past lots of islands with white sandy beaches.
Once we dropped the anchor Andy (Calysta) came over to catch up, after a swim (once the tide had turned and the jellyfish had disappeared) we then we headed ashore for sundown drinks at 5pm.
Wednesday 1 April 2009
Isla Contadora, 1st April
After a rolly night in the anchorage we had a lie in until 9am.
It was cleaning day in the anchorage today - us, Red Herring and Christine Anne were all cleaning the grim from Balboa and Colon off our boats.
After a walk on the beach we headed over to Vagabond and Christine ANne to talk abouot plans for the next couple of days.
At 5pm we had Sundown drinks on the beach - everyone is now together again and a couple of nights apart! - Vagabond Heart, Red Herring, Sunchaser, Christine Anne, Balu, Honeymoon and Orono (a catamaran we met briefly in Las Palmas)
Tomorrow we are going to head off and catch up with Andy from Calysta.
Isla Contadora. 31st March
A 36 mile motor sail from Balboa to the Las Perlas Islands. After a couple of hours we had enough wind to set the cruising chute which was good - looks like it is going to be a slow trip to Galapagos but the plan is to wait here until the wind looks abit better.
We saw lots of wildlife - pelicans, dolphins and hundreds of dead fish??!!
At the anchorage we picked up a mooring buoy which is apparently not a problem during the week but which are busy with locals at the weekend and enjoyed a much needed swim.
We are looking forward to getting the boat clean after the time in Colon and Balboa and relaxing on the beach :)
We saw lots of wildlife - pelicans, dolphins and hundreds of dead fish??!!
At the anchorage we picked up a mooring buoy which is apparently not a problem during the week but which are busy with locals at the weekend and enjoyed a much needed swim.
We are looking forward to getting the boat clean after the time in Colon and Balboa and relaxing on the beach :)
Isla Flamenco, 30th March
A final day in Panama City doing the last jobs before we head off to the Las Perlas.
In the morning we got the bus into the city centre to have a walk down the high street and abit of an explore. Then after visiting the hardware shop we got a taxi to a garage to get some repair glue for the dinghy - the taxi already had a passenger so we had a detour to a local housing estate to drop her off!!
From the garage we tried to get the bus back to the city centre but ended up at the big shopping mall whilst there we decided to get some lunch before getting a taxi back with a stop to pick up the laundry.
After a brief stop at the boat whilst we had a torrential downpour - apparently rainy season starts on the 1st April! We headed round to the cafe to do internet jobs with Sunchaser.
By the time we had finished it was getting late so we decided to stop on the way back for pizza and ice cream :)
In the morning we got the bus into the city centre to have a walk down the high street and abit of an explore. Then after visiting the hardware shop we got a taxi to a garage to get some repair glue for the dinghy - the taxi already had a passenger so we had a detour to a local housing estate to drop her off!!
From the garage we tried to get the bus back to the city centre but ended up at the big shopping mall whilst there we decided to get some lunch before getting a taxi back with a stop to pick up the laundry.
After a brief stop at the boat whilst we had a torrential downpour - apparently rainy season starts on the 1st April! We headed round to the cafe to do internet jobs with Sunchaser.
By the time we had finished it was getting late so we decided to stop on the way back for pizza and ice cream :)
Isla Flamenco, 29th March
A much needed relaxing day on the boat today - reading books and magazines before walking round to a cafe to do some internet jobs.
Isla Flamenco, 28th March
A trip to the butchers to get some vacuum packed meat to ensure that we can have meat for abit longer in the Pacific. After the butchers we went to a supermarket to try and do our last shop but the supermarket was abit disappointing so we will have to go to a different supermarket.
Back at the boat we dropped the first lot of shopping off, had some lunch and collected the laundry.
We dropped the laundry off and headed to another supermarket and did our final shop. I never want to see another supermarket!!
Back at the boat we got everything stored and had a much needed early night.
Back at the boat we dropped the first lot of shopping off, had some lunch and collected the laundry.
We dropped the laundry off and headed to another supermarket and did our final shop. I never want to see another supermarket!!
Back at the boat we got everything stored and had a much needed early night.
Isla Flamenco, 27th March
An early morning trip to the fruit and veg market for Kate. It was amazing - big sacks with over 100 oranges in for $3, pineapples for $0.50...
Jonny headed into town on the bus to find webbing straps for the dinghy.
After finding a home for all the veg (including putting up the hammock!) we finished our sorting of the boat including putting some of our clothes into vacuum bags and putting Jonnys suit in the bin - it had gone mouldy and wasnt rescuable!
At 3.30 we headed to the fuel dock to take on fuel and water. The swell on the dock broke our stern fairlead.
Jonny headed into town on the bus to find webbing straps for the dinghy.
After finding a home for all the veg (including putting up the hammock!) we finished our sorting of the boat including putting some of our clothes into vacuum bags and putting Jonnys suit in the bin - it had gone mouldy and wasnt rescuable!
At 3.30 we headed to the fuel dock to take on fuel and water. The swell on the dock broke our stern fairlead.
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