Finally we update the blog! Internet access has been limiting. We have posted about 20 photos (out of many) below.

To the South Pacific We left Puerto Vallarta, Mexico on March 22, 2006 for the passage across 2700 miles of ocean to the Marquesas Islands, French Polynesia. We arrived on April 17, after 27 days at sea. It was a real test of endurance. We were so happy to arrive. The passage was long and tiring, marked by the changing weather. We had days of no wind and days with lots of wind, as well as many squalls once we crossed the equator. Near the equator we had some beautiful sailing days, with flat seas which were rare on the rest of the trip. I will never forget the feeling of out-thereness I had out there on such a little boat, knowing there was only ocean for thousands of miles around. We broke our boom in half on day 13. What a shock. Luckily, with so much downwind sailing we did ok with just the headsail.

We slowly made our way west through French Polynesia, stopping in each island group. Every one was beautiful. We are now in Papeete, Tahiti, where we have been for about a month finishing repairs and maintenance. We are getting ready to move on. We have decided to make our way to Australia. We have about 2 months to get there before cyclone season. Not a lot of time, but we should still be able to see a bit along the way. Our current plan is to stop in Suvarov (Cook Islands), Samoa, Fiji and New Caledonia on the way to Australia.

Getting ready for the passage.

Our GPS at the equator.

Equator crossing! We offered Mexican beer and Nerds Rope to Neptune.

A squall coming for us.

Hand steering in the squall. Don't I look happy.

Rainbow after the squall.

Jim catches a mahi mahi. We let it go because it was too big for just the 2 of us and no refrigeration to store the leftovers.

Sunset in the middle of the Pacific.

Tasty flying fish that landed on the boat in the middle of night became our lunch the next day.

LAND HO! First sight of land after 27 days. We shed tears of joy.

All of these photos are in the Marquesas.

Marquesas welcome party that greeted us. They are so nice out here!

Anaho Bay on Nuku Hiva island. What a great spot! So protected, so calm, with beautiful blue water and good snorkeling. Other than that there is nothing here. The locals come for pig hunting.
The spires of Ua Pou island are so dramatic.

This is Hana Moe Noa anchorage on Tahuata island, another idyllic spot we loved.

The lagoon of Manihi atoll in the Tuamotus at sunset. When the weather is good, it can be wonderfully calm and peaceful like this. Great snorkeling weather!

We saw all sorts of animals while snorkeling in the Tuamotus. The water is so clear, you can see to the bottom in over 40 feet, and take photos like this one. This is an octopus about the size of a backpack.

I'm wearing a pareau, traditional clothing for the women here.

My Mom and Dad visited us in Tahiti. We took them to Moorea, where we are eating pastries in this photo. Their trip was good, but too short.

We went to see the stingrays while in Moorea. We swam in the water with them and they come up to you and you can touch them. It is quite an experience to be so near such large animals.

We finally fix the boom! The gray patch in the middle is where the splice is. (Papeete, Tahiti)

Jim takes a self portrait from the spreaders. He is up there to check the rig. (Papeete, Tahiti)