Oh, and we like our Coffee *crisp*
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Advice
Comes with no warranty implied or otherwise, and there is no lifetime guarantee...
Use or discard at your own risk.
I am in no way liable for the results or consequences.
Unless of course its good, then I will assume full responsibility.
Use or discard at your own risk.
I am in no way liable for the results or consequences.
Unless of course its good, then I will assume full responsibility.
What goes around comes around...
That's what they say, I don't think they usually picture it happening this way.
It: Can I borrow your car?
Me: Sure *hands over keys*
...
Me: It smells kind of like baseball though...
It: That's okay, in a few seconds your office is going to smell like farts.
It: Can I borrow your car?
Me: Sure *hands over keys*
...
Me: It smells kind of like baseball though...
It: That's okay, in a few seconds your office is going to smell like farts.
From the Captain
Haven't done any more dives - the budget you know. Snorkelling some. Planned to move on but the wind has been high with squalls so sat tight another day here - hope to get out of the pass tomorrow but will likely get beat up on the outside since the wind has been blowing steady now for several days from the SE, so the waves will be well developed. We'll see.
Finally got a phone card to use the land line - no mean feat. Get them at the post office which is only open 7 am to noon three days a week. Since it's a non trivial exercise to get to where the post office is, it hasn't happened. Now I have a card, I can call granny and wish here a h-b'day. I'll row into the dock about 6 am tomorrow and try to do that.
Not much to say, sat on the anchor most of the day - did motor out and look at the pass and outside this morning, then sailed about 8 m to look at the other pass, and then motored back to put the hook down roughly where I was. There's really only one comfortable place to anchor in this wind. The excitement was when I dropped the dinghy painter and it took off in the wind - another yachtie retreived for me before I'd swum far.
Dinghy's is a topic. the little hard one I have works well rowing and even the elec motor works ok but the reality is that you really need something more substancial - a RIB (rigid bottom inflatable boat) with at least a 10, preferably larger outboard to handle the waves, distances etc. Trying to snorkel off the little pram is difficult at best. I do have the inflatable but it rows like a pig and doesn't motor at all well because the bottom is soft. Other than that things are fine. Perhaps if you come down here, you can take the dive course with the chap I've been diving with here in Rangi - he's good.
Take care of yourself and have fun - you seem to. I hope life is treating you well and you're happy both at the surface level which we and other see as well as deeper down. You get one trip around the track of life, no going back, and no time outs. You'll regret things you didn't do more than rejoice the things you did - for the most part. I've had fun along the way, and I have three great kids to show for it.
Dad
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At 25/05/2011 12:56 AM (utc) our position was 14°58.07'S 147°38.21'W
Finally got a phone card to use the land line - no mean feat. Get them at the post office which is only open 7 am to noon three days a week. Since it's a non trivial exercise to get to where the post office is, it hasn't happened. Now I have a card, I can call granny and wish here a h-b'day. I'll row into the dock about 6 am tomorrow and try to do that.
Not much to say, sat on the anchor most of the day - did motor out and look at the pass and outside this morning, then sailed about 8 m to look at the other pass, and then motored back to put the hook down roughly where I was. There's really only one comfortable place to anchor in this wind. The excitement was when I dropped the dinghy painter and it took off in the wind - another yachtie retreived for me before I'd swum far.
Dinghy's is a topic. the little hard one I have works well rowing and even the elec motor works ok but the reality is that you really need something more substancial - a RIB (rigid bottom inflatable boat) with at least a 10, preferably larger outboard to handle the waves, distances etc. Trying to snorkel off the little pram is difficult at best. I do have the inflatable but it rows like a pig and doesn't motor at all well because the bottom is soft. Other than that things are fine. Perhaps if you come down here, you can take the dive course with the chap I've been diving with here in Rangi - he's good.
Take care of yourself and have fun - you seem to. I hope life is treating you well and you're happy both at the surface level which we and other see as well as deeper down. You get one trip around the track of life, no going back, and no time outs. You'll regret things you didn't do more than rejoice the things you did - for the most part. I've had fun along the way, and I have three great kids to show for it.
Dad
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At 25/05/2011 12:56 AM (utc) our position was 14°58.07'S 147°38.21'W
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Dear work
I know I told you that I didn't know exactly what time I would be in to work tomorrow because I hadn't booked my plane ticket home, however it's a good thing I didn't tell you even after I had booked my plane ticket home... because I didn't actually end up taking that plane home.
I was having so much fun here that I decided to stay for a second helping of dessert, and by stay I mean missed my plane... and by dessert well it was fantastic and I did have a second helping, so the evening wasn't a total loss ;)
I will apologize in advance though, I'm sorry. I'm anticipating an 8 on the zombie scale, and will most likely need more than one coffee tomorrow. I will *try* to take that into account before calling anyone's intelligence in to question in my outside voice... I promise.
I think my wild angels need a break, luckily I have more than one amazing friend who has offered to pick me up at the airport.
Thanks so much guys, sometimes things work out despite me ;)
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
From the Captain...
And here we go, we're all caught up again! *fist pump* ~S
Sounded like a good weekend with your winning run and the damage sustained by the third baseman. Mom said she hadn't heard from you then seemed to recall it was a long weekend and you likely had ball.
I got in another pass dive with the same guy - and again lucked out because it was just with him and another local. I think this was mostly because we spent a couple of hours talking about his pet project from an engineering perspective. Anyway, we started out over deep water, well away from the wall and dropped immediately down to 135', to see hundreds of grey sharks below, and then the current carried us into the midst of them! These guys aren't small, 3+ m. They apparently come here to breed, and he was looking for "great hammerheads" that sometimes feed on the greys. Didn't see any of them, which from my point of view was just as well. It's quite something to be busy looking down at all these sharks and then to look sideways and seem some swimming on the same level, and then look up and see some above you. All is well. Drifted through those and then came up close to the wall, seeing some large barracuda on the way. Next drifted over the coral gardens and immense variety of colors and sizes of tropical fish ending up in a canyon where we stopped for awhile in a hole out of the current. In there was a very big Moray eel, at a "cleaning station" - the head of the eel was pretty close to 12" across with it's mouth (and teeth) wide open and the little fish darting in and out and around, picking out and cleaning teeth etc. Neat to watch - and an interesting piece of symbiosis. Next we went up and out and got carried along in and out of three canyons including the one he'd like to put a tunnel / viewing station in to allow tourists to walk down in shirt sleeves, to get deep enough to see the big sharks in their environment. I think it could be built, but I really doubt it would be financially viable. finally we came out of there and drifted at speed over a plain of dead coral that is slowly recovering. Much of the coral around here, especially that in shallower water was killed by the El Nino years (too warm, too much fresh water) a few years ago.
The total drift was 1.5 to 2 nm over 55 minutes. If we get the opportunity, this would be a good place to get certified with this guy - though I'm sure there are other places equally as good. The nice thing here is that he doesn't take life seriously, so the operation is small and shoestring, and informal. I've been watching daily other dive boats going out, doing the same thing with 10 or 12 clients and one dive master with a helper - and here I've had a super diver all to myself for three great dives.
Anyway, I can't really describe what I've seen and done, and I can't take photos or video (even if I had the gear) just because to do so would require so much focus, skill etc that I wouldn't see anything myself - so consider the stuff you see on National Geographic or PBS - and that's really whats here. With any luck, I'll see some Manta Rays at the next island or after that. The next stop is Tike?? atoll, about 35 nm away - say 8 hours where there are supposed to be rays. It's a much smaller place. From there I'll head down to Moorea and Tahiti.
That's about it - not sure how long I'll hang into this life style but it is "interesting" - we'll see.
Dad
-----
At 25/05/2011 12:56 AM (utc) our position was 14°58.07'S 147°38.21'W
Sounded like a good weekend with your winning run and the damage sustained by the third baseman. Mom said she hadn't heard from you then seemed to recall it was a long weekend and you likely had ball.
I got in another pass dive with the same guy - and again lucked out because it was just with him and another local. I think this was mostly because we spent a couple of hours talking about his pet project from an engineering perspective. Anyway, we started out over deep water, well away from the wall and dropped immediately down to 135', to see hundreds of grey sharks below, and then the current carried us into the midst of them! These guys aren't small, 3+ m. They apparently come here to breed, and he was looking for "great hammerheads" that sometimes feed on the greys. Didn't see any of them, which from my point of view was just as well. It's quite something to be busy looking down at all these sharks and then to look sideways and seem some swimming on the same level, and then look up and see some above you. All is well. Drifted through those and then came up close to the wall, seeing some large barracuda on the way. Next drifted over the coral gardens and immense variety of colors and sizes of tropical fish ending up in a canyon where we stopped for awhile in a hole out of the current. In there was a very big Moray eel, at a "cleaning station" - the head of the eel was pretty close to 12" across with it's mouth (and teeth) wide open and the little fish darting in and out and around, picking out and cleaning teeth etc. Neat to watch - and an interesting piece of symbiosis. Next we went up and out and got carried along in and out of three canyons including the one he'd like to put a tunnel / viewing station in to allow tourists to walk down in shirt sleeves, to get deep enough to see the big sharks in their environment. I think it could be built, but I really doubt it would be financially viable. finally we came out of there and drifted at speed over a plain of dead coral that is slowly recovering. Much of the coral around here, especially that in shallower water was killed by the El Nino years (too warm, too much fresh water) a few years ago.
The total drift was 1.5 to 2 nm over 55 minutes. If we get the opportunity, this would be a good place to get certified with this guy - though I'm sure there are other places equally as good. The nice thing here is that he doesn't take life seriously, so the operation is small and shoestring, and informal. I've been watching daily other dive boats going out, doing the same thing with 10 or 12 clients and one dive master with a helper - and here I've had a super diver all to myself for three great dives.
Anyway, I can't really describe what I've seen and done, and I can't take photos or video (even if I had the gear) just because to do so would require so much focus, skill etc that I wouldn't see anything myself - so consider the stuff you see on National Geographic or PBS - and that's really whats here. With any luck, I'll see some Manta Rays at the next island or after that. The next stop is Tike?? atoll, about 35 nm away - say 8 hours where there are supposed to be rays. It's a much smaller place. From there I'll head down to Moorea and Tahiti.
That's about it - not sure how long I'll hang into this life style but it is "interesting" - we'll see.
Dad
-----
At 25/05/2011 12:56 AM (utc) our position was 14°58.07'S 147°38.21'W
Part Saturday, take 1. "Green boob and Sam"
BEST WEEKEND EVARRR!!!!!!!!!!!!
I hardly know where to begin, or how many parts this epic weekend is going to turn into... but I had such a fantastic time, got to reconnect with old friends and met a few new ones it was awesomesauce!!!! Oh, yeah and the girls on our team? Rocked all weekend!
Saturday we played a really good team from Calgary, and it was close the entire game... I got a deceiving blooper of a hit out towards left center, and was half way to second when the fielder bobbled it! there was an echoing boom as I broke the speed of sound, with my third base coach calling me to third... about half way there he got the *oh shit* look on his face and gave me the pointers *down to the bag*
I wasn't close enough! I closed my eyes and did the superman dive flattening myself out to a mere shadow. In the meantime the incoming throw was off, and the third baseman was forced to step directly into my path to the bag... I stopped in a cloud of dust, very abruptly... my head, his shin... and one arm on either side.
The ump yelling "SAFE!" cut through the surrounding din... I relaxed and just lay there for a minute giggling (cause you know, I'm sensitive like that).
I would like to take this moment to apologize to everyone on the field with first aid... next time I'll give the courtesy wave with an "I'm okay!" despite the tender bit on my head...
It was totally worth it, with one out and Jessie up to bat all he had to do was hit the ball... and I was the winning run in! *happy dance*
Oh right, the title might be a little confusing... until I tell you that it turns out I bruised my boob on that slide into third. Betcha third's shin looks way better ;)
I hardly know where to begin, or how many parts this epic weekend is going to turn into... but I had such a fantastic time, got to reconnect with old friends and met a few new ones it was awesomesauce!!!! Oh, yeah and the girls on our team? Rocked all weekend!
Saturday we played a really good team from Calgary, and it was close the entire game... I got a deceiving blooper of a hit out towards left center, and was half way to second when the fielder bobbled it! there was an echoing boom as I broke the speed of sound, with my third base coach calling me to third... about half way there he got the *oh shit* look on his face and gave me the pointers *down to the bag*
I wasn't close enough! I closed my eyes and did the superman dive flattening myself out to a mere shadow. In the meantime the incoming throw was off, and the third baseman was forced to step directly into my path to the bag... I stopped in a cloud of dust, very abruptly... my head, his shin... and one arm on either side.
The ump yelling "SAFE!" cut through the surrounding din... I relaxed and just lay there for a minute giggling (cause you know, I'm sensitive like that).
I would like to take this moment to apologize to everyone on the field with first aid... next time I'll give the courtesy wave with an "I'm okay!" despite the tender bit on my head...
It was totally worth it, with one out and Jessie up to bat all he had to do was hit the ball... and I was the winning run in! *happy dance*
"Dirty bits"
Oh right, the title might be a little confusing... until I tell you that it turns out I bruised my boob on that slide into third. Betcha third's shin looks way better ;)
Also from the Captain...
Went for an incredible dive today with the divemaster. Two days in a row I've had private tutoring because people didn't show up / cancelled. Did the pass, the entrance to the lagoon where the water flushes in and out. There's a steep coral reef / wall over "the blue" - can't see bottom. Only saw one largish black tipped shark but the dolphins came to play for about 20 min around 60'. They're neat to touch and watch etc. Schools of silver baracudda like fish, but then a full size baracudda swam by - impressed. And then there was the myrid of tropical fish from schools of little ones that are the most incredible brilliant blue to stripes and splotches and every imanginable color. The coral looked like a huge garden of mutant plants of increidble shapes and colors etc. with fish in and out and around. The a marlin (about 2 m) came by - a real treat that is rarely seen. So, and extended time with the dolphins (20 m instead "real close" of the appparent kick looking and maybe a brief touch), plus the marlin plus plus plus. The divemaster was really pleased with the dive. I also got a lesson on that dive computer - thank you. Wish you were here, I'd stay just to see you take the course with this guy -he's good, even if the engish is a bit broken.
Anyway, I'm hooked so I'm doing another dive tomorrow so here for at least another day.
Did a dive on the anchor this after noon and found, despite "setting it" and at least two nites of really high winds etc. the anchor itself was sitting on the bottom not dug in AT ALL. The chain was wrapped in a big zig zag between lumps of corral and there was no way the boat was going anywhere. I would not have been able to pull it up either. So, I unwrapped it to reduce the damage and carried the anchor and chain over some and manually reset into sand. Hopefully it stays, and if we drag, won't go far before hanging up in more coral. See what happens but I think I'll get into the practise of hanging an anchor bouy and trying to anchor in shallower water where I can see the set without having to use a tank.
That's about it. More and more I'm thinking of wintering the boat on the hard in Tahiti or Fiji, and coming home for the ski season so I can do the islands for a couple of months before maybe heading north.
If you get the chance when home, you could climb the radio tire and slack off the bolts at the antenna rotator and use a pipe wrench to point it south. PLEASE clip in, it's not that difficult. The rotator isn't working (blowing fuses) which suggests a problem with the rotator or the antenna itself is jammed. There is a bearing / guide at the top of the tower where there could be a problem so if it doesn't rotate easily with the pipe wrench, then you could have a look there. Whatever you do, take care and be safe. I think you need 9/16" wrench for the bolts on the clamp that holds the base of the mast at the rotator. When I get home, I'll probably have to pull the rotator out for a rebuild - unless the cause of the blown fuses can be found elsewhere (top of the tower?). So, if you have time and conditons work, have a look. If not, so be it. I did talk to Mom on the home rig using the wire antenna the other day. It was really shakey and weak but it did work.
That's about it, take care of yourself - have fun, drive safe and play fair to yourself.
Love Dad
Anyway, I'm hooked so I'm doing another dive tomorrow so here for at least another day.
Did a dive on the anchor this after noon and found, despite "setting it" and at least two nites of really high winds etc. the anchor itself was sitting on the bottom not dug in AT ALL. The chain was wrapped in a big zig zag between lumps of corral and there was no way the boat was going anywhere. I would not have been able to pull it up either. So, I unwrapped it to reduce the damage and carried the anchor and chain over some and manually reset into sand. Hopefully it stays, and if we drag, won't go far before hanging up in more coral. See what happens but I think I'll get into the practise of hanging an anchor bouy and trying to anchor in shallower water where I can see the set without having to use a tank.
That's about it. More and more I'm thinking of wintering the boat on the hard in Tahiti or Fiji, and coming home for the ski season so I can do the islands for a couple of months before maybe heading north.
If you get the chance when home, you could climb the radio tire and slack off the bolts at the antenna rotator and use a pipe wrench to point it south. PLEASE clip in, it's not that difficult. The rotator isn't working (blowing fuses) which suggests a problem with the rotator or the antenna itself is jammed. There is a bearing / guide at the top of the tower where there could be a problem so if it doesn't rotate easily with the pipe wrench, then you could have a look there. Whatever you do, take care and be safe. I think you need 9/16" wrench for the bolts on the clamp that holds the base of the mast at the rotator. When I get home, I'll probably have to pull the rotator out for a rebuild - unless the cause of the blown fuses can be found elsewhere (top of the tower?). So, if you have time and conditons work, have a look. If not, so be it. I did talk to Mom on the home rig using the wire antenna the other day. It was really shakey and weak but it did work.
That's about it, take care of yourself - have fun, drive safe and play fair to yourself.
Love Dad
From the Captain
Apologies, I'm a little behind on posting these. Something had a brain-fart yesterday and I couldn't sign in...
Hooked up with a local divemaster and did an introductory dive to get comfortable and check equipment and technique today. Saw a lot of tropical fish, a good sized (3.5 m)white tipped shark from less than 10 m, sea horse, moray eel with a head 250 mm dia and a lot of teeth, and lots of other stuff. Basically all went well, no problems and I'm comfortable to go in the deep water in the pass. Rounded things out with the dive master who wanted to discuss a project to build a tunnel and underwater viewing chamber at 20 m deep, so spent an hour or so "concept engineering". Left him with some thoughts etc. but made it very clear that I was not an expert, and not interested in being involved and that he needed to talk to someone a lot more knowledgable before he goes further. I think the project may be feasible, but expensive.
Anyway, that's been a high point. Wish I had bought your camera or similar before I left with a housing, it would have been a good tool.
Take care, hope all is well. You'd be having fun here.
Hooked up with a local divemaster and did an introductory dive to get comfortable and check equipment and technique today. Saw a lot of tropical fish, a good sized (3.5 m)white tipped shark from less than 10 m, sea horse, moray eel with a head 250 mm dia and a lot of teeth, and lots of other stuff. Basically all went well, no problems and I'm comfortable to go in the deep water in the pass. Rounded things out with the dive master who wanted to discuss a project to build a tunnel and underwater viewing chamber at 20 m deep, so spent an hour or so "concept engineering". Left him with some thoughts etc. but made it very clear that I was not an expert, and not interested in being involved and that he needed to talk to someone a lot more knowledgable before he goes further. I think the project may be feasible, but expensive.
Anyway, that's been a high point. Wish I had bought your camera or similar before I left with a housing, it would have been a good tool.
Take care, hope all is well. You'd be having fun here.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
YEAH BABY!!
WE'RE GOING TO THE STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS!!!!!!
WHHOOOOOO HOOOOO!!!!
GOOOOOO CANUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sent... While in transit ;)
From the Captain
I left Mahini Atoll without doing that drift dive - the opportunity got lost in a fuel exercise. Anyway, have fuel now. Sailed and motored to Rangiroa Atol - one of the biggest communities and I think I've arranged a scuba dive through their pass, to look at sharks amoung other things. It might deal with my paranoa of those critters. Later today I'll do some snorkelling at the "Aquarium" - a shallow reef system loaded with fish apparently. Had a pleasent lunch at the dock in a little rundown cafe that overlooks the shallows, watching tropical fish and a big ray swimming around below. The water is incredibly clear, a kinda of aquamarine blue. It's hot.
Motored through the pass - wasn't sure what the tide was like when I entered and it was jus tlike home, muscling thour Dodds. Walked back a couple of hours later to see 2+m standing waves (ebb tide about 6 k gainst incoming swell - impressive, I was lucky with my timing. The weathe is flakey. Sailed most of yesterday getting here (26 hour trip) but the winds shifted a lot and losing it when it's dark is a paint not first get the sails drawing again on a new course, and then to scync in the Autohelm. Pain. About an hour out a sqaull came over and I got very well rained on - but the wind came up and I was to 7 to 8.5 k for maybe 20 min. good fun.
Take care, get the skin pads and the right peddles and quit doing body damage on the bike. You need to be intact come ski season, especially if I'm home in Feb - and Daniel is available.
Dad
Yes Dad, I'll try... but its not like I was trying to do any damage in the first place! ;) ~S
Motored through the pass - wasn't sure what the tide was like when I entered and it was jus tlike home, muscling thour Dodds. Walked back a couple of hours later to see 2+m standing waves (ebb tide about 6 k gainst incoming swell - impressive, I was lucky with my timing. The weathe is flakey. Sailed most of yesterday getting here (26 hour trip) but the winds shifted a lot and losing it when it's dark is a paint not first get the sails drawing again on a new course, and then to scync in the Autohelm. Pain. About an hour out a sqaull came over and I got very well rained on - but the wind came up and I was to 7 to 8.5 k for maybe 20 min. good fun.
Take care, get the skin pads and the right peddles and quit doing body damage on the bike. You need to be intact come ski season, especially if I'm home in Feb - and Daniel is available.
Dad
Yes Dad, I'll try... but its not like I was trying to do any damage in the first place! ;) ~S
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Friday, May 20, 2011
I almost crashed my brains out
Ripping through the trails, and that charred smell isn't BBQ, it's the steady burn of my leg muscles. My breath is coming in ragged gasps and sweat drips from my hockey hair as I do my damndest to keep up with the group ahead.
The only thing propelling me forward is my stubborness.
Today I am not one with my bike. Today we ride as individuals in an epic clash of wills. For the umpteenth time I look down at my back tire. It feels flat, and I'm all over the place. Its as if my back wheel isn't attached properly and is floating along behind me like Scrat chasing his acorn. *ooooh shiny!*
That audible gulp that just eclipsed the sound of my hammering heartbeat, is the last thing you hear before I almost eat tree bark. I stop, and remove my sunglasses which are no longer suitable for the contrasting streaks of sunset and shadow streaming through the trees.
For the fifth time in as many rides I flipped off my flippin' pedal and bashed my shin. I think someone is messing with me... because its laughing at me now.
*mimicking voice* Biking is good for you they say, helps you get in shape they say... Obviously they're not doing it the way I do. How many times is it before they commit you after multiple self-inflicted injuries of the same kind? I'm pretty sure I've used up both of our quotas...
On the way back down my breathing smooths out with the trail, and I am able to spare a glance to my surroundings... it's breathtakingly magical. I'm flowing through gently rolling grassy hills, dotted with bright yellow balsam root plants. I can hear birds singing and there is a peacefulness descending with the setting sun.
The worries of the day, and the struggles of the last two hours are forgotten somewhere along the trail... This is why biking is good for me.
The only thing propelling me forward is my stubborness.
Today I am not one with my bike. Today we ride as individuals in an epic clash of wills. For the umpteenth time I look down at my back tire. It feels flat, and I'm all over the place. Its as if my back wheel isn't attached properly and is floating along behind me like Scrat chasing his acorn. *ooooh shiny!*
That audible gulp that just eclipsed the sound of my hammering heartbeat, is the last thing you hear before I almost eat tree bark. I stop, and remove my sunglasses which are no longer suitable for the contrasting streaks of sunset and shadow streaming through the trees.
For the fifth time in as many rides I flipped off my flippin' pedal and bashed my shin. I think someone is messing with me... because its laughing at me now.
*mimicking voice* Biking is good for you they say, helps you get in shape they say... Obviously they're not doing it the way I do. How many times is it before they commit you after multiple self-inflicted injuries of the same kind? I'm pretty sure I've used up both of our quotas...
On the way back down my breathing smooths out with the trail, and I am able to spare a glance to my surroundings... it's breathtakingly magical. I'm flowing through gently rolling grassy hills, dotted with bright yellow balsam root plants. I can hear birds singing and there is a peacefulness descending with the setting sun.
The worries of the day, and the struggles of the last two hours are forgotten somewhere along the trail... This is why biking is good for me.
From the Captain...
Please leave some meat and muscle on your legs for ski season. I just may be skiing this winter. Found an option that may allow me to leave the boat in Tahiti or Fiji for the off season and avoid the haul to NZ and back.
Moving on, got some swimming and snorkelling in but didn't get the drift dive done because of a fuel delilvery on "island time". That's life. Take care
Dad
Moving on, got some swimming and snorkelling in but didn't get the drift dive done because of a fuel delilvery on "island time". That's life. Take care
Dad
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
From the Captain
I'm anchored in a bona fide French Polynesian atoll - and you'd love it. Lots of tropical fish, incredible colors of fish, and the clams are big - 5 to 6" across, with the big ribbed shells and the "lips" are brilliant purple and black and white, and some with orange etc. The colors are neat. There is a drift snorkel that is recommended on the incoming tide through the pass from the ocean. You take the dingy out, bail over and then let the current carry you in about 500+m through the pass which is loaded with fish etc. I'll try that in the next day or so.
Got here yesterday and after listening to the engine for 4 days it is lovely. Anchored inside the atol in about 45' with about 7 other boats including one with a crew from Calgary. The town is about 1000 and the local baker is the mover and shaker - came round to the boats this morning, and since I was new I got his little hand out etc. and a loaf of coconut bread which is very nice for about 2 bucks. Like Europe, things are baked fresh daily. He organizes fuel and delivers it, beach parties, dive and snorkel trips, engine repairs and being leader of the local Morman church, will on request save your soul -- for a price!
Had a real treat - a couple of young guys in the out rigger canoes were "giving chase" - I was running the elec. outboard on the dingy and they were going as fast or faster having a great time. Anyway, they'd snuggle up, or draft in my wake shouting and laughing. So we "chatted" - them in french me in english - it was a hoot but I asked if I could paddle their canoe. Well - this was novel. One young (you'd appreciate his body) buck transfered to the dink, then made sure I left my hat and wallet behind, and wanted my glasses as well until I'd assured him they were tied on, and I transferred to the canoe - which is really narrow and unstable - they were sure I was going to dump and in the first 10 sec or so, they were nearly right. Once I got the balance sorted - I took off and the other fellow in his canoe thought it was great since I could pace him and had control. They were really pleased and I think very surprised that I could handle the craft. Interesting boat - about 20' long, very narrow with the outrigger. You drive them by paddling one side and then the other with a single blade paddle. I could switch sides fluidly, and like I say, make the boat move etc. It was great fun.
That with the swim was the high point, it's quiet and comfortable here. I've rigged the boom tent to keep the sun off the cockpit and that's helped a lot.
So take care - I've found out that one option might be to leave the boat in Tahiti for the winter and come back to do more of the islands next spring, rather than beat all the way to and from NZ. That might make sense. Something to think on. Do you want to spend more time on the boat again or not.
Love Dad
Got here yesterday and after listening to the engine for 4 days it is lovely. Anchored inside the atol in about 45' with about 7 other boats including one with a crew from Calgary. The town is about 1000 and the local baker is the mover and shaker - came round to the boats this morning, and since I was new I got his little hand out etc. and a loaf of coconut bread which is very nice for about 2 bucks. Like Europe, things are baked fresh daily. He organizes fuel and delivers it, beach parties, dive and snorkel trips, engine repairs and being leader of the local Morman church, will on request save your soul -- for a price!
Had a real treat - a couple of young guys in the out rigger canoes were "giving chase" - I was running the elec. outboard on the dingy and they were going as fast or faster having a great time. Anyway, they'd snuggle up, or draft in my wake shouting and laughing. So we "chatted" - them in french me in english - it was a hoot but I asked if I could paddle their canoe. Well - this was novel. One young (you'd appreciate his body) buck transfered to the dink, then made sure I left my hat and wallet behind, and wanted my glasses as well until I'd assured him they were tied on, and I transferred to the canoe - which is really narrow and unstable - they were sure I was going to dump and in the first 10 sec or so, they were nearly right. Once I got the balance sorted - I took off and the other fellow in his canoe thought it was great since I could pace him and had control. They were really pleased and I think very surprised that I could handle the craft. Interesting boat - about 20' long, very narrow with the outrigger. You drive them by paddling one side and then the other with a single blade paddle. I could switch sides fluidly, and like I say, make the boat move etc. It was great fun.
That with the swim was the high point, it's quiet and comfortable here. I've rigged the boom tent to keep the sun off the cockpit and that's helped a lot.
So take care - I've found out that one option might be to leave the boat in Tahiti for the winter and come back to do more of the islands next spring, rather than beat all the way to and from NZ. That might make sense. Something to think on. Do you want to spend more time on the boat again or not.
Love Dad
Needed: Shin guards for everyday use
Okay I admit I was trying to bike *along* the curb and fell off and flipped my pedal and bruised my shin and ripped my other owie open again... so yeah bruised and bleeding on a 10 min ride, doesn't matter what I'm doing I'm an accident in progress ;)
Falling angels
Gem of a tweet:
Sorry to twitter spam but a bunch of cherry blossoms just softly rained down on me it was like angel kisses ~HankThe perfect timing of this is ridiculous, it was just this morning I finally got my poop in a group to take a picture of our cherry tree out back, lit gently from behind with the rising sun... Only to discover that spring has been moving forward without me and I missed that blossom on the branches with no leaves phase *again*
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Idle thought
It just occurred to me, that you don't necessarily have to agree with me on everything for us to get along. The trick is to be able to disagree with me in an intelligent manner, and for us to be able to arrive at a solution together.
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