Posts Tagged ‘sailing’

Bula Bula from Fiji

Bula Bula from Fiji

It took us seven days to reach Savusavu, Fiji … three of which were spent anchored at the Niuas, a group of three of Tonga’s most remote islands. While I was at sea a draft of a post strangely published itself in it’s unfinished form. Sorry for any confusion, I will explain more about the volunteer work I […]

Where the heck is Tonga…?

Where the heck is Tonga…?

several people asked me after I announced I had arrived here a few weeks back. The Kingdom of Tonga is a group of 171 islands located in the South Pacific southeast of Fiji. It is the oldest and last remaining Polynesian monarchy and the only South Pacific nation never to be brought under foreign rule. […]

Toilet Tales in Wonderland

Toilet Tales in Wonderland

I had anxiety about the toilet situation aboard Wonderland after the captain showed me a large mason jar she uses to pee inside and dump overboard. She also had an assortment of “she wees” a portable urinary device advertised to allow women to “stand up and take control.” There was a toilet onboard but she […]

How to kitesurf offshore – Minerva Reef

How to kitesurf offshore – Minerva Reef

Learned Something New Today: How to kitesurf offshore by launching from a yacht!   Before arriving at Minerva Reefs we were unsure if we would have the opportunity to explore the two submerged atolls that belong to Tonga. Discovered in 1829 when the whaler vessel Minerva struck the reef and was shipwrecked for weeks. Our captain […]

Sailing Adventures in Wonderland: 16 day Ocean Passage New Zealand to Tonga

Sailing Adventures in Wonderland: 16 day Ocean Passage New Zealand to Tonga

“Which sheet do you pull to take in the jib?” Captain Evi asked me. As I looked at the multitude of ropes, a mix of solid colors and patterns across the rainbow I felt a sense of confusion and dread. “This one?” I guessed, grabbing hold of a white rope with red dashes. She frowned […]

South Pacific Sunset

South Pacific Sunset

One of the many beautiful South Pacific sunsets I saw during the 16 days I spent at sea on passage from New Zealand to Tonga.

Found my feet in Tonga

Found my feet in Tonga

Back on land! After 16 days at sea, we have arrived in Neiafu, Tonga (part of the Vava’u Island Group). Many stories from the passage to come soon …

And we’re off! Setting sail for Tonga today

And we’re off! Setting sail for Tonga today

Today we set sail for the beginning of our South Pacific sailing adventure! We awoke to a beautiful rainbow which I hope is a sign for good weather to come. We are departing from the Bay of Islands, New Zealand for a 1200 mile, 10-day voyage to Tonga (could be longer if weather permit us […]

Evi in Wonderland

Evi in Wonderland

In my last post FEMALE CREW ONLY,  I spoke to the challenges we had in our search for a boat to sail to the South Pacific. We are happy to announce that we found our boat and have a cool lady captain! But before I tell you all about Wonderland (the 40 ft sloop yacht we will […]

FEMALE Crew Only!?!?

FEMALE Crew Only!?!?

I thought finding a boat to sail to the South Pacific would be easier than it actually turned out to be. My confidence  a result of receiving emails from captains who saw my profile on crew finding websites and were interested in me joining their boat despite the fact that I had very little sailing […]

Found a boat, but …

Found a boat, but …

it is not leaving New Zealand until early June as the engine is currently being replaced. The owners, a retired couple from England, have invited us to sail with them to Vanuatu. The boat is a 50 ft catamaran and we would have our own private cabin. Everything sounds great except the idea of having […]

Searching for a guy named Mary …

Searching for a guy named Mary …

Several people told us we should stop in the town of Whangarei (pronouced Fangaray) on our way north as many yachties get their boats repaired there before sailing to Opua. Opua is the marina closest to the Bay of Islands many boats will be departing for the South Pacific. While in Whangarei we got to […]