Travel

Today and yesterday at sea were the best two days we’ve had the whole trip! Seas have been calm, skies have been clear and blue most of the day (it usually fogs up a bit at night), and temperatures have been in the low to mid 70s (Fahrenheit). Plus, all this while crossing the Tasman Sea, an area noted for low pressure systems that make for not so nice weather according to the Captain and other cruisers I’ve spoken with.

[Read more…] about Finally!

Off and on rain followed us from Bay of Islands to Auckland where the weather continues to display low clouds and some rain with temperatures in the 70s now. At least the temperature has moderated since Samoa and Fiji but the humidity stays with us as do the showers.

[Read more…] about Auckland, New Zealand

I write this sitting at anchor at the Bay of Islands in New Zealand. There is a steady rain and I am in about day three of a “standard” cold. With the cold and rain I don’t plan on setting foot on land here unless the sun breaks through in the next couple of hours–something I highly doubt will happen. So, that’s the post on Bay of Islands. I did take some photos from my cabin balcony and one attached shows what some editing can do.

[Read more…] about Fiji and Fire Walking

After a rock and roll night we woke today (Sat, 3 Feb) to a smooth approach to the island of American Samoa. At sunrise the weather was raining, hot and humid. I managed to get shots of a rainbow that formed astern and made a panorama (attached) but the shots were not all from the same point so you will find flaws in the matching areas of the multiple photos. Almost did not get the shots because as soon as I walked outside from the air conditioned ship the lens completely fogged up. One of the travel photographer’s banes: humidity making fog when the camera quickly moves from one type of weather to another. I’m glad now that I took lens cleaning fluid and pads along with me as taking any small dust off the UV filter on the lens helps to keep the moisture off as it has nothing to “cling” to.

[Read more…] about Pago Pago

Today (1 Feb 18) at 1:15am we officially crossed the Equator and entered the southern hemisphere. In the old pirate days there was a ceremony to see if those who had never done so were worthy to continue over the Equator and serve. Those who had not crossed the line before were Pollywogs and only after surviving the ceremony would they become Shellbacks, the name given to those who have crossed the Equator.

[Read more…] about Pollywogs and Shellbacks

As I write this we are eight days out.

[Read more…] about How Did I Do Packing?