Painting done by Amanda Patterson and Co. of College Pro Painters
Friday, May 15, 2009
Before and After
Before and After shots of my home.
Painting done by Amanda Patterson and Co. of College Pro Painters
Painting done by Amanda Patterson and Co. of College Pro Painters
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Going Old (scratch) Home School!
This week was an interesting one... at least I think interesting is the right word to use when you get 30 home schooled kids between 12 and 19 locked up together on a boat for a week.
It actually was just a lot of fun. Everyone single one of them had a personality, to say the least, and since they hadn't met before it had more resemblance to a summer trip than most school trips do. They were a gullible bunch (I think that all my lies are going to catch up with me one day...) and a group that got excited about everything. There is something special about taking groups from outside the lower mainland to a tide pool or beach and seeing them look at shells and barnacles as if they are special treasures made just for their hunt.
Thanks to my previously mentioned ninja training (and icebreaker base layer) I was dramatically warmer this week, and another promo for Icebreaker here, I actually didn't take it off all week and no it didn't stink! It has however slowly been warming up lately, I even got outside today to do some gardening which was lovely and relaxing. Although I need to figure out which ones are weeds and which ones aren't...
Also my sister came to see me this weekend and helped me clean my house, which was the most amazing gift ever (thanks again!) I am once again enjoying living in a sparklingly home with a back entry that I can walk through!
Sayonara,
Off for another week.
It actually was just a lot of fun. Everyone single one of them had a personality, to say the least, and since they hadn't met before it had more resemblance to a summer trip than most school trips do. They were a gullible bunch (I think that all my lies are going to catch up with me one day...) and a group that got excited about everything. There is something special about taking groups from outside the lower mainland to a tide pool or beach and seeing them look at shells and barnacles as if they are special treasures made just for their hunt.
Thanks to my previously mentioned ninja training (and icebreaker base layer) I was dramatically warmer this week, and another promo for Icebreaker here, I actually didn't take it off all week and no it didn't stink! It has however slowly been warming up lately, I even got outside today to do some gardening which was lovely and relaxing. Although I need to figure out which ones are weeds and which ones aren't...
Also my sister came to see me this weekend and helped me clean my house, which was the most amazing gift ever (thanks again!) I am once again enjoying living in a sparklingly home with a back entry that I can walk through!
Sayonara,
Off for another week.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
When the Snow Blows and I become a Ninja!
Three trips down and hopefully March will hold true to its word and go out like a lamb, it sure came in like a lion! Our first five day trip greeted us with inches of snow on the deck and a frigid northerly wind. I am so thankful for the down jacket that I bought, it feels like I never take it off, even down below it takes a while for things to warm up once the stoves are on. The water temperature doesn't change more than a degree or two most of the year and we had some swimmers despite the cold weather; I told my watch that if they jumped in the water they didn't have to do the dinner dishes we were responsible for that night...two takers, both girls, so the guys and I did all the dishes that evening. I also ended up making breakfast the next morning, because I guess I was feeling in a wagering kind of mood and told our cook Krystle that if she jumped in she could sleep in and I was make breakfast...we both thought we got the better end of that deal, there is almost no chance of me getting in the water before May at which time I will be in the Pacific off of Costa Rica and it's guaranteed to be much warmer than here.
To help me battle to cold weather I have also decided to start Ninja training.
This will allow me to partition my mind into tropical and arctic sensations and remove cold and ice from my external sensory perception.
My parents have also aided me in this effort by providing me with an Icebreaker thermal base layer training outfit. So far the Icebreakers are working wonders and next week promises to be my warmest yet!!
Sunday, March 08, 2009
In which I come back from a very cold adventure and get a new couch and a down jacket.
Well, as usual I have neglected to update this blog, I'm not sure if anyone besides my mother even reads this anymore, but at least for her sake I will put up the pictures of my new couch. It was actually quite an adventure getting inside my house. The deliver drivers after being excited about my largish front door were thoroughly disapointed when I opened the door to reveal a less than spacious entry way into another offset door before arriving in the narrow hallway to my home... They told me that there was no way it would fit, to which I replied, "well there are three other doors, it must be able to fit through one of them, right?!"
In any case after removing my back door as well as the door to my living room, the behemoth of a couch made its way into my lovely home and I am enjoying it as I type.
As far as the very cold adventure goes. I have officially started my sailing season, and I'm going to suggest that March is a tad but chillier than June...The group of grade sevens we had were great though, if not a bit wee. (I'd almost forgotten how small they were; I haven't had any onboard for about two years!) They braved the weather with good spirits though, and thank God for the sunshine or they might not have been so brave. But overall a great start to the season, I did however realize what working in an office over the winter does do my wimp status (it increases it) and I went out and bought a down jacket this weekend. Hopefully this trip will be toasty warm!
p.s. I've started painting my laundry room, and I'll post some before and after pictures once it's done, but for now I have a stacked washer and dryer (thank you Aunty Christine and Uncle Bill) and a jalapeno and dill pickle coloured laundry room in the making!
In any case after removing my back door as well as the door to my living room, the behemoth of a couch made its way into my lovely home and I am enjoying it as I type.
As far as the very cold adventure goes. I have officially started my sailing season, and I'm going to suggest that March is a tad but chillier than June...The group of grade sevens we had were great though, if not a bit wee. (I'd almost forgotten how small they were; I haven't had any onboard for about two years!) They braved the weather with good spirits though, and thank God for the sunshine or they might not have been so brave. But overall a great start to the season, I did however realize what working in an office over the winter does do my wimp status (it increases it) and I went out and bought a down jacket this weekend. Hopefully this trip will be toasty warm!
p.s. I've started painting my laundry room, and I'll post some before and after pictures once it's done, but for now I have a stacked washer and dryer (thank you Aunty Christine and Uncle Bill) and a jalapeno and dill pickle coloured laundry room in the making!
Sunday, February 22, 2009
In Which I Let Google Define My Existence - stolen from MCD
Type the part in capital letters (substituting your name for mine) into Google, and use whatever it comes up with to complete the sentence.
SARAH NEEDS to get her life back and establish herself as the person in charge!
Little SARAH LOOKS LIKE f*&$in Nicole Ritchie in this picture.
What SARAH DOES when she's not doing her homework pictures published by xoseastar.
SARAH HATES you.
All grown up: SARAH GOES to lake placid…again.
SARAH LOVES you (in your dreams).
SARAH EATS cake.
SARAH HAS always been a mover and a shaker.
SARAH WANTS to become the fastest disabled skier outright, regardless of gender.
SARAH IS beautiful inside and out, She's the most beautiful girl, When I'm dancing with Sarah and the stars are out, I am on top of the world.
SARAH NEEDS to get her life back and establish herself as the person in charge!
Little SARAH LOOKS LIKE f*&$in Nicole Ritchie in this picture.
What SARAH DOES when she's not doing her homework pictures published by xoseastar.
SARAH HATES you.
All grown up: SARAH GOES to lake placid…again.
SARAH LOVES you (in your dreams).
SARAH EATS cake.
SARAH HAS always been a mover and a shaker.
SARAH WANTS to become the fastest disabled skier outright, regardless of gender.
SARAH IS beautiful inside and out, She's the most beautiful girl, When I'm dancing with Sarah and the stars are out, I am on top of the world.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Signs of a Great Trip
So I completely forgot about this photo contest that I entered. It was a while back and I saw it in Outpost magazine, a magazine that came free with my hosteling international membership. They had a contest called "Signs of a Great Time" I don't think I won, but they published the best/funniest photos on their site and mine made it in. Crazy. Anyways, there are some pretty hilarious ones, so check it out.
Friday, January 02, 2009
West Coast Email Forward
The following is a minute-by-minute report of the extreme weather concerns in Victoria , British Columbia:
6:22 a.m. Temperature plunges. Word spreads that a Victoria man finds ice on his windshield! Curious neighbors gather to watch him scrape it off with a credit card. One motorist, a former Albertan, claims use of mysterious "defrost" switch on dashboard can aid in process.
9:30 a.m. Hardware stores sell both of their snow shovels. Islanders begin cobbling together implements made from kayak paddles, umbrellas, plywood, cookie sheets and boogie boards.
10 a.m. Golfers switch to orange balls. Beacon Hill Park cricket players, anxious not to repeat the ugly "snow blower incident" of the Blizzard of '96, switch to orange uniforms.
Noon: Word of impending West Coast snowfall tops newscasts across Canada. Saskatoon hospitals report epidemic of sprained wrists related to viewers high-fiving one another.
1:20 p.m. Elementary schools call in grief counselors. Grief counselors refuse to go, citing lack of snow tires.
2:30 p.m. Rush hour begins an hour early as office workers come down with mysterious illness and bolt for home. Usual traffic snarl is compounded by large number of four-wheel-drives abandoned by side of road.
2:50 p.m. Airplanes are grounded and ferries docked. No way to travel between Island and rest of the world. Times Colonist headline: "Mainland cut off from Civilization."
3:22 p.m. Prime Minister Harper announces Canada 's DART rapid-response team can be on the ground within six months." We can't leave Victoria to deal with 225 centimeters of snow on its own," he tells Mayor Lowe. "Um, that's two to five centimeters, not two-two-five," replies the Mayor. The Prime Minister hangs up.
3:33 p.m. Provincial government responds to crisis by installing slot machines in homeless shelters.
4:10 p.m. At behest of Provincial Emergency Program, authorities begin adding Prozac to drinking water.
4:15 p.m. Fears of food shortages lead to alarming scenes of violence and looting. Grocery shoppers riot across the city, except in Oak Bay , where residents hire caterers to do rioting for them.
4:30 p.m. Bracing for the arrival of snow, the city is gripped by an eerie stillness reminiscent of Baghdad on the eve of the invasion. Searchlights comb darkening sky for first sign of precipitation.
4:48 p.m. Panic ripples across the region as words come in that the first flakes of snow have fallen on the Malahat. False alarm! "Flakes" turn out to be nothing more than anthrax spores released by terrorists. An uneasy calm returns to city.
5:40 p.m. Television reporter, Ed Bain, shaking uncontrollably, tells viewers that snow warnings have been extended. This weather pattern could go on for days. Mercury plummets to Calgary-in-August levels. Martial law is declared. Victoria-area politicians announce plans to establish an emergency command centre aboard HMCS Regina once it reaches Oahu .
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Victoria Blizzard 2008 - Revenge of the Commuters
Chilled Victoria commuters faced their second day of winter hell today, as an additional ¼ centimeter of the peculiar white stuff fell, bringing the Island to its knees and causing millions of dollars worth of damage to the marijuana crops. Scientists suspect that the substance is some form of frozen water particles and experts from Saskatchewan are being flown in. With temperatures dipping to the almost but not quite near zero mark, Victorians were warned to double insulate their lattes before venturing out.
Victoria police recommended that people stay inside except for emergencies, such as running out of espresso or biscotti to see them through Victoria's most terrible storm to date. The local Canadian Tire reported that they had completely sold out of fur-lined sandals.
Drivers were cautioned to put their convertible tops up, and several have been shocked to learn that their SUV's actually have four wheel drive, although most have no idea how to use it.
Weary commuters faced soggy sushi, and the threat of frozen breast implants. Although Dr. John Blatherwick, of the Coastal Health Authority reassured everyone that most breast implants were perfectly safe to 25 below, down-filled bras are flying off the shelves at Mountain Equipment Co-op.
"The government has to do something," snarled an angry Trevor Warburton. "I didn't pay $540,000 for my one bedroom condo so I could sit around and be treated like someone from Toronto
6:22 a.m. Temperature plunges. Word spreads that a Victoria man finds ice on his windshield! Curious neighbors gather to watch him scrape it off with a credit card. One motorist, a former Albertan, claims use of mysterious "defrost" switch on dashboard can aid in process.
9:30 a.m. Hardware stores sell both of their snow shovels. Islanders begin cobbling together implements made from kayak paddles, umbrellas, plywood, cookie sheets and boogie boards.
10 a.m. Golfers switch to orange balls. Beacon Hill Park cricket players, anxious not to repeat the ugly "snow blower incident" of the Blizzard of '96, switch to orange uniforms.
Noon: Word of impending West Coast snowfall tops newscasts across Canada. Saskatoon hospitals report epidemic of sprained wrists related to viewers high-fiving one another.
1:20 p.m. Elementary schools call in grief counselors. Grief counselors refuse to go, citing lack of snow tires.
2:30 p.m. Rush hour begins an hour early as office workers come down with mysterious illness and bolt for home. Usual traffic snarl is compounded by large number of four-wheel-drives abandoned by side of road.
2:50 p.m. Airplanes are grounded and ferries docked. No way to travel between Island and rest of the world. Times Colonist headline: "Mainland cut off from Civilization."
3:22 p.m. Prime Minister Harper announces Canada 's DART rapid-response team can be on the ground within six months." We can't leave Victoria to deal with 225 centimeters of snow on its own," he tells Mayor Lowe. "Um, that's two to five centimeters, not two-two-five," replies the Mayor. The Prime Minister hangs up.
3:33 p.m. Provincial government responds to crisis by installing slot machines in homeless shelters.
4:10 p.m. At behest of Provincial Emergency Program, authorities begin adding Prozac to drinking water.
4:15 p.m. Fears of food shortages lead to alarming scenes of violence and looting. Grocery shoppers riot across the city, except in Oak Bay , where residents hire caterers to do rioting for them.
4:30 p.m. Bracing for the arrival of snow, the city is gripped by an eerie stillness reminiscent of Baghdad on the eve of the invasion. Searchlights comb darkening sky for first sign of precipitation.
4:48 p.m. Panic ripples across the region as words come in that the first flakes of snow have fallen on the Malahat. False alarm! "Flakes" turn out to be nothing more than anthrax spores released by terrorists. An uneasy calm returns to city.
5:40 p.m. Television reporter, Ed Bain, shaking uncontrollably, tells viewers that snow warnings have been extended. This weather pattern could go on for days. Mercury plummets to Calgary-in-August levels. Martial law is declared. Victoria-area politicians announce plans to establish an emergency command centre aboard HMCS Regina once it reaches Oahu .
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Victoria Blizzard 2008 - Revenge of the Commuters
Chilled Victoria commuters faced their second day of winter hell today, as an additional ¼ centimeter of the peculiar white stuff fell, bringing the Island to its knees and causing millions of dollars worth of damage to the marijuana crops. Scientists suspect that the substance is some form of frozen water particles and experts from Saskatchewan are being flown in. With temperatures dipping to the almost but not quite near zero mark, Victorians were warned to double insulate their lattes before venturing out.
Victoria police recommended that people stay inside except for emergencies, such as running out of espresso or biscotti to see them through Victoria's most terrible storm to date. The local Canadian Tire reported that they had completely sold out of fur-lined sandals.
Drivers were cautioned to put their convertible tops up, and several have been shocked to learn that their SUV's actually have four wheel drive, although most have no idea how to use it.
Weary commuters faced soggy sushi, and the threat of frozen breast implants. Although Dr. John Blatherwick, of the Coastal Health Authority reassured everyone that most breast implants were perfectly safe to 25 below, down-filled bras are flying off the shelves at Mountain Equipment Co-op.
"The government has to do something," snarled an angry Trevor Warburton. "I didn't pay $540,000 for my one bedroom condo so I could sit around and be treated like someone from Toronto
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Back In Vic
Wow! I'm am back in Victoria finally, and am not sure if I will ever leave again! (well, yes I will, it would be very hard not to considering that I work on a boat) However, after having cancelled flights both ways and a hour delay at the last ferry (that I shouldn't have had to take if my flight wasn't cancelled) I have realized that I either have very bad karma, or someone is out to get me! On the up side my door was just knocked on and it was my bag that I had to abandon in Vancouver so I could catch the ferry (that ended up being an hour late)
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Chartwork, Check
Exciting news! I got a call from Transport Canada this morning saying that I had passed my chart work exam. I felt good about the exam when I was finished writing it, but it's always nice to know for sure. That's one down out of 5 that I need to write for my 150 Tonne Masters Ticket (or actually I just learned that it should be referred to as a certificate of competency and it is a major faux pas to call it a "ticket")
Monday, December 22, 2008
It's a love hate relationship
So I love the snow, it makes the city look pretty and makes me feel like Christmas, however, not being able to drive into one's own driveway because you can't shovel it because the city is out of shovels isn't as much fun, good thing I have friendly neighbours. Also when your flights get canceled its kind of a bummer, and even if the snow makes me feel like Christmas, it definitely won't feel like Christmas if I never make it to where Christmas is, which is Calgary. Here's to hoping that the direct flight will prove better luck than the stopover in Vancouver....
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Oh the weather outside is Frightful...
1100H
If you're from Victoria.... I however will take this opportunity to say that I did not grow up in this tropical island city and I can drive in the snow and no you should NOT slam on your brakes when you start to slide! and yes there are still two lanes even if you can't see the dotted line anymore...
I even hauled myself out of bed to be at my yoga class at 0730 to find that whoever had the keys to the studio couldn't get here, so the class had been canceled and they would still be running the 0930 class if I could come back, which I did. And still there were only about 10 people.
Now you are probably thinking that snow if Victoria, does not constitute of "real snow." Well you're right, it will probably be gone by the end of the day, which is why I'm not shoveling my driveway or the sidewalk! I passed at least 30 people out busy shoveling their drives on my way home from yoga. But why? I ask. It's gonna melt and you can get your car out already! Here's some props to the true Victoria who I saw on their bicycle at 730 this morning!
In any case, it started snowing last night and this morning I woke up to a beautiful blanket of white crispness, yes the crunchy kind, and I had to brush off my car (with my mitts, cause who owns a ice scraper here anyways?) Reminds me of Christmas. What a perfect day for the SALTS Christmas party! We are even going caroling in a horse drawn wagon!
1321H
Correction: I was just informed that the Christmas party has been postponed until further notice...
If you're from Victoria.... I however will take this opportunity to say that I did not grow up in this tropical island city and I can drive in the snow and no you should NOT slam on your brakes when you start to slide! and yes there are still two lanes even if you can't see the dotted line anymore...
I even hauled myself out of bed to be at my yoga class at 0730 to find that whoever had the keys to the studio couldn't get here, so the class had been canceled and they would still be running the 0930 class if I could come back, which I did. And still there were only about 10 people.
Now you are probably thinking that snow if Victoria, does not constitute of "real snow." Well you're right, it will probably be gone by the end of the day, which is why I'm not shoveling my driveway or the sidewalk! I passed at least 30 people out busy shoveling their drives on my way home from yoga. But why? I ask. It's gonna melt and you can get your car out already! Here's some props to the true Victoria who I saw on their bicycle at 730 this morning!
In any case, it started snowing last night and this morning I woke up to a beautiful blanket of white crispness, yes the crunchy kind, and I had to brush off my car (with my mitts, cause who owns a ice scraper here anyways?) Reminds me of Christmas. What a perfect day for the SALTS Christmas party! We are even going caroling in a horse drawn wagon!
1321H
Correction: I was just informed that the Christmas party has been postponed until further notice...
Friday, December 12, 2008
One Down and One to Go...
So, today was the final day of my "Simulated Electronic Navigation" course at Camosun. The thing with having a class that is a one week (five days) intensive, all day long class, is that you are taught new information on the last day and then expected to write the final (50% of your mark) the last three hours of class.... well I passed, no problems, and I felt confident during the exams as well which is always a good sign. Although I have to say that I have a beef with Transport Canada courses because there were definitely some people in that room who got their certificate who maybe shouldn't have.... I figure if I'm answering peoples questions on how to plot a LAT/LONG and do a simple 60D=ST time formula, then maybe they shouldn't be certified to do advanced radar plotting....just a thought.
So next week I have one more class and then I'm done formal school for a bit and onto more self study for some other Transport Canada Exams, the first of which is actually this coming Monday! Ack!
Other than being back in the school/reading/study mode I have been getting immense enjoyment out of a Bikram Yoga class that I started trying out. Basically it is yoga in a room heated to 105 degrees with about 50-55% humidity. It brings me right back to offshore when you are lying in your bunk and feel the sweat pooling....Okay I know that sounds gross and who in their right mind would voluntarily put themselves through exercise in a heated room, but I LOVE it!
So next week I have one more class and then I'm done formal school for a bit and onto more self study for some other Transport Canada Exams, the first of which is actually this coming Monday! Ack!
Other than being back in the school/reading/study mode I have been getting immense enjoyment out of a Bikram Yoga class that I started trying out. Basically it is yoga in a room heated to 105 degrees with about 50-55% humidity. It brings me right back to offshore when you are lying in your bunk and feel the sweat pooling....Okay I know that sounds gross and who in their right mind would voluntarily put themselves through exercise in a heated room, but I LOVE it!
Friday, December 05, 2008
Bay Street's First Christmas!
Hey Mom, Here you go. I only really decorated the fireplace room because I am working in the other one right now. I haven't got the outside lights up yet, but I hope to this weekend! 
Friday, November 28, 2008
Its Christmas Time!
Okay, for all of you out there who believe that Christmas should not start until the end of December, humbug on you! As a kid we always used to decorate the first weekend in December, after a HUGE housecleaning of course, it was like the reward for cleaning the whole house top to bottom, and hauling all the boxes and boxes of Christmas decorations up from the basement... sneaky sneaky pull a Tom Sawyer mom.... "It's fun!"
Okay, actually it was, I remember my friends being shocked at the transformation that would occur. We even changed our doilies and tablecloths; we added trim in the kitchen and bathroom! Although we didn't go as far as my Swedish relatives who change their curtains for the holidays, and one of my aunts even sets aside an entire room of her house and makes it into a little winter wonderland complete with fake snow and a train set!
Back to the point. I got Christmassy today and listened to Christmas music all day (there is already a radio station playing only Christmas music; 106.5fm) and I put out the few decorations and lights I had. I made rye bread, chocolate chip cookies, sweet almonds, shortbread, and drum roll please....swedish MEATBALLS! I officially feel like Christmas, I have a poinsetta, I have lights inside, and I'm getting ready to put them up outside too, and my house is clean, except the room that I started refinishing woodtrim in (don't ask me why I decided to start this project now). I have been procrastinating this for a while now, and I finally got the scraper out and bought a sander and I'm ready to keep plowing away tomorrow.
Have a Happy Holiday Season Everyone!
Okay, actually it was, I remember my friends being shocked at the transformation that would occur. We even changed our doilies and tablecloths; we added trim in the kitchen and bathroom! Although we didn't go as far as my Swedish relatives who change their curtains for the holidays, and one of my aunts even sets aside an entire room of her house and makes it into a little winter wonderland complete with fake snow and a train set!
Back to the point. I got Christmassy today and listened to Christmas music all day (there is already a radio station playing only Christmas music; 106.5fm) and I put out the few decorations and lights I had. I made rye bread, chocolate chip cookies, sweet almonds, shortbread, and drum roll please....swedish MEATBALLS! I officially feel like Christmas, I have a poinsetta, I have lights inside, and I'm getting ready to put them up outside too, and my house is clean, except the room that I started refinishing woodtrim in (don't ask me why I decided to start this project now). I have been procrastinating this for a while now, and I finally got the scraper out and bought a sander and I'm ready to keep plowing away tomorrow.
Have a Happy Holiday Season Everyone!
Thursday, November 27, 2008
I'm on a roll!
Wow, it's been a while since I have updated my blog. However I will have to make this short as my computer is acting up... first it was the disc drive and now it's the space button on the keyboard. I have to hit it really hard to ensure a space every time and it makes for tiring typing! Wow!
Saturday, November 15, 2008
November on the Island
O.k. today marks halfway through November and I was in SHORTS!! And I still have flowers blooming in my garden, not just blooms left, but still blooming! Despite that I have been thinking that it seems to be getting colder every day, and then thinking that I was a wuss for thinking that, didn't I grow up in Prince George??!!
I was very thankful today to wake up and see blue skies and sunshine. My much neglected yard has needed some attention and today was a perfect day for it. I managed to get the majority of my leaves piled up and ready for pick up...I'm pretty sure that Victoria spends as much money on leaf removal as Prince George does on snow! I also took a load of cuttings, etc, and the last of the random objects lying around my property to be mulched/recycled/garbage.
I was very thankful today to wake up and see blue skies and sunshine. My much neglected yard has needed some attention and today was a perfect day for it. I managed to get the majority of my leaves piled up and ready for pick up...I'm pretty sure that Victoria spends as much money on leaf removal as Prince George does on snow! I also took a load of cuttings, etc, and the last of the random objects lying around my property to be mulched/recycled/garbage.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Paint Colours and Reno's
Finally back on the blog, for those of you far away, here are some pics of the paint coulours before and after (the green and purple are the after shots) I still haven't gotten around the scraping off all of the last persons messy paint job, but at least the house is clean and not robin's egg blue anymore!
Monday, August 18, 2008
Victoria, Hardy, Ukee
O.k. so I've dropped the ball on the whole blog thing...but life is less exciting when I'm not trapezing around the ocean... Well actually I guess I still am, just in a less exotic and tropical setting. However something that I have realized is how lucky I am to have the chance to sail around the the coast of BC and specifically a chance to come to the west coast of the island every year. After spending time in these tiny, (and often times wet) west coast towns of Port Hardy and Uclulet and seeing all the tourists, foreign and local, coming here for their holidays... I learn to forgive the weather and enjoy the beauty for what it is. It's so easy to forget that what I spend my everyday doing and seeing is a holiday for the rest of the world.
We leave on our last summer trip on wednesday, its hard to believe that this summer season is already over, the fall goes by so fast...
We leave on our last summer trip on wednesday, its hard to believe that this summer season is already over, the fall goes by so fast...
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Tahsis
O.k. So Tahsis. A beautiful little spot on the west coast of Vancouver Island. I stayed in a cabin in Daffodil Bay (and don't let the word cabin confuse you, it was really more like a house, but it was made of logs and not my house, so therefore I am going to call it a cabin) In any case, we caught some fish, dug some clams, picked some oysters, paddled some kayaks, and had a fantastic time. Pics are up in my web albums.
Monday, July 21, 2008
New Fun From Facebook
Or at least its fun when you are so beyond tired, but you drank too much coffee that day and can't sleep....Create a Cartoon Image of Yourself...or at least you can try. Here's mine:
Friday, July 04, 2008
The Prince Update...
Haha, just kidding, no I didn't find my prince charming... however I have had a couple weeks with Prince George just hanging with my family and my dog, etc.
It's been crazy adjusting back to life on land, really busy (I bought a house!)
and really relaxing (thank you SALTS for the massage and pedicure!) 
and I have to say that after last offshore I was missing the boat and the life terribly, but this time I'm not as much and I think the difference is that I know that I will be going back and that those people (because that really what you are missing) will be around and in touch and thats an exciting prospect.
I realized when I came up here that all my close friends have now moved away (actually closer to Vic, if not in Vic) which is good, except when I come back here to visit. It did allow me however to spend some quality time with the fam: bbq's, going to the lake, camping, getting my wisdom tooth out (wait that wasn't so much fun!), walking the dog, movies, etc.
The weather was great, sort of, until it started pouring rain at the most unexpected moments. For example, when my sister and I had pitched the tent (with no tarp of course) and spent a beautiful afternoon laying in the camp chairs and swimming (yes, swimming in the northern lakes, it was that hot! and remember I'm used to the warm waters of the south pacific, and the somewhat cooler waters of Hawaii...)then just as we light the fire it starts pouring cats and dogs on us as we scramble around trying to get the tarp up and the wood out of the rain. No joke, we watched the rain come over the lake like a squall in the middle of the Pacific!; or the next night when all of a sudden we get these thundershowers and lightening...out of nowhere! (we were not camping anymore at this point)
Next up, back south for Cirque, Salmon, Storage Lockers, and Sailing... I'll keep you posted.
It's been crazy adjusting back to life on land, really busy (I bought a house!)
and really relaxing (thank you SALTS for the massage and pedicure!) 
and I have to say that after last offshore I was missing the boat and the life terribly, but this time I'm not as much and I think the difference is that I know that I will be going back and that those people (because that really what you are missing) will be around and in touch and thats an exciting prospect.I realized when I came up here that all my close friends have now moved away (actually closer to Vic, if not in Vic) which is good, except when I come back here to visit. It did allow me however to spend some quality time with the fam: bbq's, going to the lake, camping, getting my wisdom tooth out (wait that wasn't so much fun!), walking the dog, movies, etc.
The weather was great, sort of, until it started pouring rain at the most unexpected moments. For example, when my sister and I had pitched the tent (with no tarp of course) and spent a beautiful afternoon laying in the camp chairs and swimming (yes, swimming in the northern lakes, it was that hot! and remember I'm used to the warm waters of the south pacific, and the somewhat cooler waters of Hawaii...)then just as we light the fire it starts pouring cats and dogs on us as we scramble around trying to get the tarp up and the wood out of the rain. No joke, we watched the rain come over the lake like a squall in the middle of the Pacific!; or the next night when all of a sudden we get these thundershowers and lightening...out of nowhere! (we were not camping anymore at this point)Next up, back south for Cirque, Salmon, Storage Lockers, and Sailing... I'll keep you posted.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
All Hands
A little somethings I was having fun with on leg seven of this past offshore. I saw a spread in Irving Johnson's Book, Sailing to See call "All Hands" and wanted to try it out for myself. For those of you who would call themselves a land lubber we give a call of "all hands ...." to perform various tasks around the boat, most often "all hands on deck to raise sail"
Click on the slideshow to view my picassa albumns and see the pictures in larger format.
Click on the slideshow to view my picassa albumns and see the pictures in larger format.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Home Sweet? Home
I have returned! We came home to an amazing amount of support on the dock and after a lovely ceremony and being lovingly mobbed for an hour or two I packed up all my things and am officially off the boat until the end of July. It was fantastic to see everyone's face once again and I look forward to spending time with every one! Love to you all, Sarah.
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
PT At Last
Wow, so excited to be in Port Townsend again. I have very nostalgic feelings toward this place since I first visited it last offshore and so enjoy its artsy, nautical, laid back lifestyle. The last passage was a fantastic one, even if it did have want for a little more wind, we ended the passage with a four or so days of great sailing and some of the calmest waters that I have ever experience offshore (save for PNG maybe...) Looking forward to a few slow days enjoying and soaking up the last of our time out here. Can't wait to see you all!
Friday, May 09, 2008
Made it, and leaving again...
Hi to everyone whose following my travels,
We made it to Hawaii finally, and I haven't had any time to write or update or upload pictures. It has been incredibly busy here, a lot of work to do, and three work days full of refinishing, painting, etc. We didn't quite finish it all up, so the days inbetween the legs were full of finishing up all the work that was left over. I had a fantastic time with my sisters and was so excited to be sailing with them for the first time all three of us were sailing together. Oh yes, we crossed the entire Pacific Ocean as well, almost ran of out of fuel/food, stopped at Midway (an off limits island) managed not to get shat upon by the 2 million albatross that live there and I performed in a sweet awesome band called Scupper 2 Scupper (more on this later, and yes to all you leg 3'rs of 03/04 who remember this sweet awesome band, I know I ripped you off and I know I infringed on your labels copyright.)
Off ot Kauai now maybe I'll get a chance at a computer there, but most likely not, see you all in a month in Victoria!
love Sarah.
We made it to Hawaii finally, and I haven't had any time to write or update or upload pictures. It has been incredibly busy here, a lot of work to do, and three work days full of refinishing, painting, etc. We didn't quite finish it all up, so the days inbetween the legs were full of finishing up all the work that was left over. I had a fantastic time with my sisters and was so excited to be sailing with them for the first time all three of us were sailing together. Oh yes, we crossed the entire Pacific Ocean as well, almost ran of out of fuel/food, stopped at Midway (an off limits island) managed not to get shat upon by the 2 million albatross that live there and I performed in a sweet awesome band called Scupper 2 Scupper (more on this later, and yes to all you leg 3'rs of 03/04 who remember this sweet awesome band, I know I ripped you off and I know I infringed on your labels copyright.)
Off ot Kauai now maybe I'll get a chance at a computer there, but most likely not, see you all in a month in Victoria!
love Sarah.
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Pictures From Himeji and Kyoto
After much Anticipation! my sisters arrived in Japan and we spent a couple of days just hanging out and visiting castles and temples and gardens! We had a lot of fun and now its time to leave for the warmer waters of Hawaii!
The Three Sisters
Himeji
Scarf Lady on the Path of Philosphy
Girls in Scarves
Bridge Shot
Nanzenji Temple Garden
The Three Sisters
Himeji
Scarf Lady on the Path of Philosphy
Girls in Scarves
Bridge Shot
Nanzenji Temple GardenTuesday, March 18, 2008
Leg 5 Over...
Well this leg is officially over. It is hard to believe that another one has flown by so quickly. I am definately excitedly looking forward to this next one, and as always, sad to see some great people leave the boat. My watch was amazing this leg. Way to go PORT WATCH!
Some highlights to look forward to now? My sisters are coming! Cannot wait to sail with them for this passage, it is gonna be a long one... Also back to the warmer waters of Hawaii. It is funny really that in the warmer weather we shower more because its nice out and the water is warm, (we definately need to because of the ridiculous amount of sweat...)but in the colder weather we just think its okay to stay dirty longer because why again?? In any case I am in desperate need and am excited that my sisters have booked a hotel. I love the bathhouses dont get me wrong, but the whole concept of a private shower is still a luxury!
Some highlights to look forward to now? My sisters are coming! Cannot wait to sail with them for this passage, it is gonna be a long one... Also back to the warmer waters of Hawaii. It is funny really that in the warmer weather we shower more because its nice out and the water is warm, (we definately need to because of the ridiculous amount of sweat...)but in the colder weather we just think its okay to stay dirty longer because why again?? In any case I am in desperate need and am excited that my sisters have booked a hotel. I love the bathhouses dont get me wrong, but the whole concept of a private shower is still a luxury!
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
A Couple of Pictures From China
The Great Wall
Me at The Great Wall
Gill and Susan eat Street Meat
My Lovely Port WatchSaturday, February 23, 2008
Back In Shanghai
I'm a real man now, I've climbed the Great Wall. Interesting statistic...if you took apart the wall and re-built it 5 metres high and one metre wide it could circle the Earth. I climbed the part from Jinshanling to Simitai. It was beautiful and not crowded at all so I think I got some great pics...although I can't actually view my blog in China because of some censorship laws I think so I will wait until Japan to post more pictures.
Shanghai is a great city, full of life, but so polluted...my lungs feel coated with grime and I'm sure that the life span here must be shorter because of it. The Yangtze River is disgusting as well, we even saw a fetal pig float by with the umbilical cord still attatched... gross. The water is this sick grey brown and when pumping the head or washing the decks down with it, you can see the discolouration as well. I'll be glad to head back to Japan where everything is a lot cleaner. It has been impossible top find shower or laundry facilities here. A lot of people have rented hotel rooms, so I stole a shower from one of the girls' room, so at least now I feel cleaner.
But don't get me wrong, China is great, and it would be fun to come back and travel around for a while and explore some of the south and western parts...maybe in the summer...
Shanghai is a great city, full of life, but so polluted...my lungs feel coated with grime and I'm sure that the life span here must be shorter because of it. The Yangtze River is disgusting as well, we even saw a fetal pig float by with the umbilical cord still attatched... gross. The water is this sick grey brown and when pumping the head or washing the decks down with it, you can see the discolouration as well. I'll be glad to head back to Japan where everything is a lot cleaner. It has been impossible top find shower or laundry facilities here. A lot of people have rented hotel rooms, so I stole a shower from one of the girls' room, so at least now I feel cleaner.
But don't get me wrong, China is great, and it would be fun to come back and travel around for a while and explore some of the south and western parts...maybe in the summer...
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Shanghai to Bejing, thank goodness....
So we finally made it to Shanghai. The passage over was a little longer than expected, and more than one catastrophic event happened, I think there was almost one for every day at sea! The first morning out I noticed that the anchor had loosed itself and was hanging inboard by the lifelines....oops, good thing it was the windward anchor and not the leeward one which would have fell into the water instead of the boat.
Then, the stove broke... so we rigged it up with a fire-bucket over the stove pipe so it would stop blowing itself out, although I think that even after that it still isn't cooking quite right and Katie and Gillian are most likely beyond frustrated, but they are putting on a very good face!
Then, forestay broke...I was actually on watch for this too, and it wasnt the forestay exactly, it was the bail (big 1-2in steel ring) that snapped in half. I was standing back in the stern as per usual, and we heard something and notice the main gaff jump, we all immediatly looked up and couldn't find anything wrong, even under scrutiny of the binoculars, but no wonder we couldn't find anything, we were looking at the wrong part of the ship. It was waaay up forward the stay that holds the masts forward that had come down and was now trailing along in the water. Jordan finally noticed about an hour later as he went aloft to untangle a flag halyard on the foremast. That took a bit to fix, and we couldn't go anywhere in the meantime, we had to back off our engines and just heave to while we rigged up some temporary forestays.
Then there was the maze of fish boats and deep seas to navigate through. We were all on watch for a part of this. My top numbers where more than 60 boats visable to me on deck, plus another 20-30 being monitored electronically! Did I mention this was all in the middle of the night! The fish boats where especially scary beacause they didn't really pay attention to anything like right of way or collision regulations, they would just dart out in front of you in all directions trailing nets, to boot.
Then, the hydraulic lines broke, I was actually asleep for this, but Bonice's long will attest to all the mess than this made.
Now, just so you don't all think that I am a lazy but...I was sleeping because I was sick and so exhausted I couldn't function anymore. I left Okinawa with a mild sore throat that went away, but the next day it started developing into more of a chest infection and then a head cold and then standing watch for four hours in the middle of every night eventually just took it all out of me. So it was a good thing that Jordan was able to stand watch for me that night. But don't feel sorry for just me, all the crew had been sick to some degree or another on that passage.
Now I am in Bejing, after leaving Shanghai last night on the overnight train. Today I saw the Forbidden City (beautiful and just as elaborate, and intricately overdone as Verasaille, or at least it kind of reminded me of that) Tiananmen Square, some shopping markets, the night market (where we bought dinner) the Bejing Opera, and tomorrow we are off to the Great Wall. Highlights of the trip were definately the hot shower that I go to have today (first shower since the bath house in Okinawa, and no China has no such thing...)
But really its a lucky thing we got here at all. I hadn't been into Shanghai yet, between trying to rest and ships keep the first day and half in Shanghai, so I let other peopl buy my tickets and arrange hostels... that'll teach me for not taking responsibility for my own travel arrangements. We ended up going the wrong way of the metro, finding the right way (which turned out to be the wrong way, and we should've gone to the first way) because we ended up at the wrong railway station, and had to book it in a taxi to find our train, and then make it with minutes to spare, pheww! sigh of relief.
Lessons learned:
1) always wear shoes to the head (Jose...)
2) always bring your own toilet paper
3) be prepared to detach street vendors from your person if you don't want to buy what they have offered
4)Chinese beer tastes like "Perrier Natural Springs"
5)if you go months in flip flops, your feet will change shape, and your runners won't fit, and then you will get blisters, so bring bandaids....
Then, the stove broke... so we rigged it up with a fire-bucket over the stove pipe so it would stop blowing itself out, although I think that even after that it still isn't cooking quite right and Katie and Gillian are most likely beyond frustrated, but they are putting on a very good face!
Then, forestay broke...I was actually on watch for this too, and it wasnt the forestay exactly, it was the bail (big 1-2in steel ring) that snapped in half. I was standing back in the stern as per usual, and we heard something and notice the main gaff jump, we all immediatly looked up and couldn't find anything wrong, even under scrutiny of the binoculars, but no wonder we couldn't find anything, we were looking at the wrong part of the ship. It was waaay up forward the stay that holds the masts forward that had come down and was now trailing along in the water. Jordan finally noticed about an hour later as he went aloft to untangle a flag halyard on the foremast. That took a bit to fix, and we couldn't go anywhere in the meantime, we had to back off our engines and just heave to while we rigged up some temporary forestays.
Then there was the maze of fish boats and deep seas to navigate through. We were all on watch for a part of this. My top numbers where more than 60 boats visable to me on deck, plus another 20-30 being monitored electronically! Did I mention this was all in the middle of the night! The fish boats where especially scary beacause they didn't really pay attention to anything like right of way or collision regulations, they would just dart out in front of you in all directions trailing nets, to boot.
Then, the hydraulic lines broke, I was actually asleep for this, but Bonice's long will attest to all the mess than this made.
Now, just so you don't all think that I am a lazy but...I was sleeping because I was sick and so exhausted I couldn't function anymore. I left Okinawa with a mild sore throat that went away, but the next day it started developing into more of a chest infection and then a head cold and then standing watch for four hours in the middle of every night eventually just took it all out of me. So it was a good thing that Jordan was able to stand watch for me that night. But don't feel sorry for just me, all the crew had been sick to some degree or another on that passage.
Now I am in Bejing, after leaving Shanghai last night on the overnight train. Today I saw the Forbidden City (beautiful and just as elaborate, and intricately overdone as Verasaille, or at least it kind of reminded me of that) Tiananmen Square, some shopping markets, the night market (where we bought dinner) the Bejing Opera, and tomorrow we are off to the Great Wall. Highlights of the trip were definately the hot shower that I go to have today (first shower since the bath house in Okinawa, and no China has no such thing...)
But really its a lucky thing we got here at all. I hadn't been into Shanghai yet, between trying to rest and ships keep the first day and half in Shanghai, so I let other peopl buy my tickets and arrange hostels... that'll teach me for not taking responsibility for my own travel arrangements. We ended up going the wrong way of the metro, finding the right way (which turned out to be the wrong way, and we should've gone to the first way) because we ended up at the wrong railway station, and had to book it in a taxi to find our train, and then make it with minutes to spare, pheww! sigh of relief.
Lessons learned:
1) always wear shoes to the head (Jose...)
2) always bring your own toilet paper
3) be prepared to detach street vendors from your person if you don't want to buy what they have offered
4)Chinese beer tastes like "Perrier Natural Springs"
5)if you go months in flip flops, your feet will change shape, and your runners won't fit, and then you will get blisters, so bring bandaids....
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Waves at the Fifth Level
Well as you can gather I am still in Okinawa...we have been waiting for the weather for what seems like forever, but it has also worked in our favour as well with a myriad of things that have come up. I have spent more time at the hospital than I ever wanted to, but everyones got the drugs they need, and the sore throats and weird tropical skin things that offshore is so famous for are all well on their way to healing.
The forecast lately has been for 4-6 metre seas (12-20 feet) abd 30-40 knots of wind...we do NOT want to be out in a gale like that, but things are starting to calm down now, so hopefully its off to sea tomorrow.
I have enjoyed Japan thoroughly and am excited to return at the end of this leg, but I am definately looking forward to being back at sea and something new in China. We get to sail up the Yangtzee River into the heart of Shanghai, which will be unbelievable if my imagination comes true.
Some notes on the Japanese:
- they are extremely organized (there are four different kinds garbage cans and even your monorail tickets end up in the trash, Paris could learn from this!)
- everything is very quiet (a downtown busy intersection sounds like a quiet suburban one in Canada, they really know how to make mufflers I guess)
- they are fastidiously clean (and I, a dirty sailor, am cleaner for it as well)
- when it come to presentation they cant be beat ( I dont even mind all the excessive packaging beacuse their disposal system is so good)
- everyone dresses very well (or at least what the magazines say is well...)
- they live longer, and look younger (our engineer lisaon is 70-somthing, and I wouldnt have guess him a day over 45)
The forecast lately has been for 4-6 metre seas (12-20 feet) abd 30-40 knots of wind...we do NOT want to be out in a gale like that, but things are starting to calm down now, so hopefully its off to sea tomorrow.
I have enjoyed Japan thoroughly and am excited to return at the end of this leg, but I am definately looking forward to being back at sea and something new in China. We get to sail up the Yangtzee River into the heart of Shanghai, which will be unbelievable if my imagination comes true.
Some notes on the Japanese:
- they are extremely organized (there are four different kinds garbage cans and even your monorail tickets end up in the trash, Paris could learn from this!)
- everything is very quiet (a downtown busy intersection sounds like a quiet suburban one in Canada, they really know how to make mufflers I guess)
- they are fastidiously clean (and I, a dirty sailor, am cleaner for it as well)
- when it come to presentation they cant be beat ( I dont even mind all the excessive packaging beacuse their disposal system is so good)
- everyone dresses very well (or at least what the magazines say is well...)
- they live longer, and look younger (our engineer lisaon is 70-somthing, and I wouldnt have guess him a day over 45)
Friday, February 01, 2008
Okinawa
Made it to Japan finally and am definately fed up with japanese keyboards already, however the rest of the country is amazing so far, and I have definately had some different cultural experiences already.
The first night I went out to eat we found some really traditional Okinawan style food, which is different from Japanese. It would be comparable to a Japanese/Chinese blend. Some of the more distinct dishes I tried were：rafute - a local dish once served in the Ryukyu court which is pork (complete with fat slab still on top) in a sauce of ginger, brown sugar, soya sauce, and awamori. Awamori is the local firewater 30%-60% and has a Habu snake coiled in the bottom... another dish was mimiga - raw pigs ears sliced very thinly and marinated in vinegar. You mix this one around with the vinegar, ginger and bean sprouts and cruch up; it is served cold.
The next day was shower day...Japanese style. I visited the local bathhouse. It was great, and I think it would be very healthy for north american body image ideals. It is definately one of the best experiences I have had and will do it again. There were all these hot pools with jets (including a bedae style one) and electrodes, along with a cold pool and three different hot rooms, wet heat, dry heat, and a salt scrub/exfoliation sauna. Before you go into any of these though, you must clean yourself thoroughly at one of the little vanity stations along the wall. There is a very small stool) quite slippery once you are soaped up... along with shower head, tap and bucket, water temperature control, soap, etc.
It was lovely and I do not think I have felt this clean since before I left Victoria!!!
The first night I went out to eat we found some really traditional Okinawan style food, which is different from Japanese. It would be comparable to a Japanese/Chinese blend. Some of the more distinct dishes I tried were：rafute - a local dish once served in the Ryukyu court which is pork (complete with fat slab still on top) in a sauce of ginger, brown sugar, soya sauce, and awamori. Awamori is the local firewater 30%-60% and has a Habu snake coiled in the bottom... another dish was mimiga - raw pigs ears sliced very thinly and marinated in vinegar. You mix this one around with the vinegar, ginger and bean sprouts and cruch up; it is served cold.
The next day was shower day...Japanese style. I visited the local bathhouse. It was great, and I think it would be very healthy for north american body image ideals. It is definately one of the best experiences I have had and will do it again. There were all these hot pools with jets (including a bedae style one) and electrodes, along with a cold pool and three different hot rooms, wet heat, dry heat, and a salt scrub/exfoliation sauna. Before you go into any of these though, you must clean yourself thoroughly at one of the little vanity stations along the wall. There is a very small stool) quite slippery once you are soaped up... along with shower head, tap and bucket, water temperature control, soap, etc.
It was lovely and I do not think I have felt this clean since before I left Victoria!!!
Monday, January 21, 2008
Monkeying Around at Tarzan Falls
I've had some fantastic days here in Guam. It's been such a treat to be somewhere that English is spoken fluently, I can find food brands that I recognize, and I'm not worried about my personal safety at all.
If there is a downfall to Guam its that you really can't get around without a car, hitchhiking only takes you so far.
I've had two really fabulous days with some memorable moments inbetween.
The first day: We rented a car and decided to drive around the southern half of the island and find some adventure. Initially we were going to head to Talofofo Falls, but after finding out you had to pay $20 to get in, we decided to find our own fun. The southern drive is extremely scenic and beautiful with some definite "aahh" moments as we came over the edge of different hills with pretty views. At one lookout that we stopped at, we decided to try and "summit" the hill next door, so 4 of 6 of us headed across the road to look for a way up. We found one in the end with much scrambling and grabbing of grass and tree trunks as we lost our footing as the ground slipped out from under us or into large but hidden holes. We did make it to the top (after a wasp sting or two and some serious grass cuts) and the view was amazing, you could feel all the wind just blowing past you, almost to the point you could just fall into it and it would hold you up on the top of the hill. Coming back down was slightly more treacherous as we slid on our feet...or our butts most of the way down again.
Next stop was Tarzan Falls. Another fault of Guam is non-visible road signs. The sign for this turn off was brown (blending in nicely) and only about 1x2 feet big. We were a little nervous as we looked at the stats of the hike down to the falls. There were 1.4 miles, 300ft elevation change, and 3 hours! In the end we figured out it must have been 3 hours total, with a stop to swim. It essentially a road down to the falls, although I didn't dare take the rental car offroading.... and an amazing set of falls over cliffs of slate-like looking rock. It did remind me of Tarzan actually. We pranced all around and showered/rinsed off in the fresh water (since he no longer have a hose at the dock anymore since we are now moored alongside the outside of three barges and have quite the traverse across and not enough hose to make the distance). Overall great day!
The second great day was yesterday. I spent most of the day with another Sara (in my watch) and we drove out to the northern most point of the island, fantastic limestone cliffs and then down south and did a beautiful hike out to Sella Bay where there is a freshwater stream flowing out into the ocean, some pretty snorkeling, shade and palm trees and wild orchids everywhere. This one felt really special becuase it wasn't in the Lonely Planet, we picked it up from a local dive magazine. It felt more secret and "local" than some of the other more touristy spots. The day was capped off with Vietnamese with Karen as well and then a great chick flisk called "P.S. I love you" It was a gooder! To anyone who gets the chance I highly recommend it. A good laugh/cry-er!
Now the last day will be spend lounging around the Sheraton pool, unless of course we get kicked out and maybe one last matinee before we take back out to sea.
If there is a downfall to Guam its that you really can't get around without a car, hitchhiking only takes you so far.
I've had two really fabulous days with some memorable moments inbetween.
The first day: We rented a car and decided to drive around the southern half of the island and find some adventure. Initially we were going to head to Talofofo Falls, but after finding out you had to pay $20 to get in, we decided to find our own fun. The southern drive is extremely scenic and beautiful with some definite "aahh" moments as we came over the edge of different hills with pretty views. At one lookout that we stopped at, we decided to try and "summit" the hill next door, so 4 of 6 of us headed across the road to look for a way up. We found one in the end with much scrambling and grabbing of grass and tree trunks as we lost our footing as the ground slipped out from under us or into large but hidden holes. We did make it to the top (after a wasp sting or two and some serious grass cuts) and the view was amazing, you could feel all the wind just blowing past you, almost to the point you could just fall into it and it would hold you up on the top of the hill. Coming back down was slightly more treacherous as we slid on our feet...or our butts most of the way down again.
Next stop was Tarzan Falls. Another fault of Guam is non-visible road signs. The sign for this turn off was brown (blending in nicely) and only about 1x2 feet big. We were a little nervous as we looked at the stats of the hike down to the falls. There were 1.4 miles, 300ft elevation change, and 3 hours! In the end we figured out it must have been 3 hours total, with a stop to swim. It essentially a road down to the falls, although I didn't dare take the rental car offroading.... and an amazing set of falls over cliffs of slate-like looking rock. It did remind me of Tarzan actually. We pranced all around and showered/rinsed off in the fresh water (since he no longer have a hose at the dock anymore since we are now moored alongside the outside of three barges and have quite the traverse across and not enough hose to make the distance). Overall great day!
The second great day was yesterday. I spent most of the day with another Sara (in my watch) and we drove out to the northern most point of the island, fantastic limestone cliffs and then down south and did a beautiful hike out to Sella Bay where there is a freshwater stream flowing out into the ocean, some pretty snorkeling, shade and palm trees and wild orchids everywhere. This one felt really special becuase it wasn't in the Lonely Planet, we picked it up from a local dive magazine. It felt more secret and "local" than some of the other more touristy spots. The day was capped off with Vietnamese with Karen as well and then a great chick flisk called "P.S. I love you" It was a gooder! To anyone who gets the chance I highly recommend it. A good laugh/cry-er!
Now the last day will be spend lounging around the Sheraton pool, unless of course we get kicked out and maybe one last matinee before we take back out to sea.
Friday, January 18, 2008
Photos
K, So I put some photos from the last leg on my picassa web albums...It's so much of a pain to upload them here right now, even the fast internet is being slow....
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Well so far so good....although I started last leg good as well. We've made it to Guam after sailing the majority of the way from Micronesia. It's such a great sound when the engines turn off. Silence! We were also on a starboard tack which means that I wasn't falling out of my bunk most of the time. I was blessed with some beautiful clear skies at night and could see both the southern cross and the big dipper in the same sky. This passage was filled up with lessons, now that most of our trainees are feeling more up to combating their seasickness. The more time you spend at sea I think the quicker you get over any queasy feelings...although this is not true for everyone unfortunately.
Arrival in Guam reminds me a lot of Hawaii. It is definitely the most north American style place we've been yet, which is good and bad. At first I had hesitations coming here because I didn't want to ruin my south pacific ideal, however, there are some amazing beaches and surf spots and hikes to check out, not to mention some amazing coral dives that I've heard about. In Micronesia I did a couple of wreck dives, and while great, I think I appreciate coral/critters more than decomposing artifacts. The dive in Chuuk could also be slightly tainted by the poor organization of the dive charter. It was a bit of a gong show with about 8 divers to one dive master and one light going inside very dark wrecks. The dive master would go in first and then leave before everyone had a chance to see inside, so if you were last then you didn't get to see much...
It's nice to be docked, although we are a ways away from town (about 10k) so hitch hiking is the preferred method of choice right now, although we're looking at renting a car. Can't wait to fit in some last warm water snorkelling and diving before heading north to China! I'm literally taking the slow boat to China. One trainee also had a brilliant idea, of getting a bucket of dirt and slowing scooping out a bit everyday, that way he could say "I dug a hole to China!"
Arrival in Guam reminds me a lot of Hawaii. It is definitely the most north American style place we've been yet, which is good and bad. At first I had hesitations coming here because I didn't want to ruin my south pacific ideal, however, there are some amazing beaches and surf spots and hikes to check out, not to mention some amazing coral dives that I've heard about. In Micronesia I did a couple of wreck dives, and while great, I think I appreciate coral/critters more than decomposing artifacts. The dive in Chuuk could also be slightly tainted by the poor organization of the dive charter. It was a bit of a gong show with about 8 divers to one dive master and one light going inside very dark wrecks. The dive master would go in first and then leave before everyone had a chance to see inside, so if you were last then you didn't get to see much...
It's nice to be docked, although we are a ways away from town (about 10k) so hitch hiking is the preferred method of choice right now, although we're looking at renting a car. Can't wait to fit in some last warm water snorkelling and diving before heading north to China! I'm literally taking the slow boat to China. One trainee also had a brilliant idea, of getting a bucket of dirt and slowing scooping out a bit everyday, that way he could say "I dug a hole to China!"
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Hello From FSM
That's the Federated States of Micronesia, for those of you who are wondering where abouts I am these days. We are currently on the island of Chuuk, and although the lonely planet warned us of sketchy characters in and around these parts, we had to come here to clear in through customs and wanted to take advantage of the mecca of diveable wrecks (about 60) that are around here. I am planning some diving on Saturday. A few more warm water dives will be wonderful before heading into the northern parts of the Pacific. So far so good though, all the people seem overly friendly...although the cat calls and whistles are less than appreciated, mostly you can ignore them , or at least get used to them and tune them out. Like any place though, the bigger cities always have more problems and when you get to some of the outer islands, the whole group mentalily of a people can change entirely, hopefully we will have a chance to explore at least one of the outer islands before we leave Micronesia.
The passage over her from PNG was great. We turned North on the compass which was momentous in itself. It was slightly longer than expected, but mostly because we were delayed leaving PNG for two days waiting for them to round up enough American cash for us to leave with.... The new group of trainees are fantastic and really excited to be onboard. Our first passage was 6 days. A good length, long enough for them to get sea sick and then get over it. It's better if they can get over it the first time so that the next time we go out and they start to feel sick they know that there is and end to it. A wise skipper once said: "there are three stages to sea sickness, first you feel sick, second, you think you might die, and third you think you might now die!" I was not sick this passage.
King Nepute came to visit this passage as we crossed the Equator...as is his duty to meet everyone who crosses his line and turn them from greenhorn to shellbacks. As I was already aquainted with Neptune I was part of his court this time. King Neptune made a dramatic appearance out of the whisker shrouds, trident first and all the trainees trembled in fear as they bowed to this green and baggy wrinkle bearded "god" The trainees all had to prove their worth to Neptune by passing his challanges ( licking peanut butter off a clear plastic board, blowing raw eggs through a hose, eating raw onions, witholding the most tabasco sauce poured onto their tongues drip by drip, and pushing noodles with their noses through slop filled decks). They were also glamourously made up with a special paste in their armpits by his highnesses wife and concubine Amphitrite and Nautilis. Fun was had by all and the decks warranted a thorough cleaning once he'd left.
I have officially done more night runs this leg than I have in my entire SALTS career (when I say night runs, I mean actually staying up for the full 4 hours of a watch shift and taking the con, so to speak) I really enjoy them mostly, although it takes a bit to figure out when you can catch up on the sleep that you've missed between all the other things that fill your day, like meals, dishes, sail handeling, teaching, reading, etc. The best nights are always when the stars are out. I was on 2000 to 2400 and then 0400 to 0800 this passage and was thrilled to be able to see both the southern cross and the big dipper in the sky at the same time for a period on one of my last nights. The sea at night is beautiful. I love being inside this snowglobe like dome of stars and having them be your light on the water. We haven't had even the moon lately to light our nights, so it's been very dark and peaceful.
Everyone is looking forward to the comforts of Guam and an Americanized port. It's odd really. We come out on the water to try and get away from all that, but the minute that we have a chance to get back to it, we take it. It's really comforting to have the ease of home for a little while, but I'm sure that we will all be glad to move onto China as well.
The passage over her from PNG was great. We turned North on the compass which was momentous in itself. It was slightly longer than expected, but mostly because we were delayed leaving PNG for two days waiting for them to round up enough American cash for us to leave with.... The new group of trainees are fantastic and really excited to be onboard. Our first passage was 6 days. A good length, long enough for them to get sea sick and then get over it. It's better if they can get over it the first time so that the next time we go out and they start to feel sick they know that there is and end to it. A wise skipper once said: "there are three stages to sea sickness, first you feel sick, second, you think you might die, and third you think you might now die!" I was not sick this passage.
King Nepute came to visit this passage as we crossed the Equator...as is his duty to meet everyone who crosses his line and turn them from greenhorn to shellbacks. As I was already aquainted with Neptune I was part of his court this time. King Neptune made a dramatic appearance out of the whisker shrouds, trident first and all the trainees trembled in fear as they bowed to this green and baggy wrinkle bearded "god" The trainees all had to prove their worth to Neptune by passing his challanges ( licking peanut butter off a clear plastic board, blowing raw eggs through a hose, eating raw onions, witholding the most tabasco sauce poured onto their tongues drip by drip, and pushing noodles with their noses through slop filled decks). They were also glamourously made up with a special paste in their armpits by his highnesses wife and concubine Amphitrite and Nautilis. Fun was had by all and the decks warranted a thorough cleaning once he'd left.
I have officially done more night runs this leg than I have in my entire SALTS career (when I say night runs, I mean actually staying up for the full 4 hours of a watch shift and taking the con, so to speak) I really enjoy them mostly, although it takes a bit to figure out when you can catch up on the sleep that you've missed between all the other things that fill your day, like meals, dishes, sail handeling, teaching, reading, etc. The best nights are always when the stars are out. I was on 2000 to 2400 and then 0400 to 0800 this passage and was thrilled to be able to see both the southern cross and the big dipper in the sky at the same time for a period on one of my last nights. The sea at night is beautiful. I love being inside this snowglobe like dome of stars and having them be your light on the water. We haven't had even the moon lately to light our nights, so it's been very dark and peaceful.
Everyone is looking forward to the comforts of Guam and an Americanized port. It's odd really. We come out on the water to try and get away from all that, but the minute that we have a chance to get back to it, we take it. It's really comforting to have the ease of home for a little while, but I'm sure that we will all be glad to move onto China as well.
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Leg 4 Update
Wow, that is one of the moring boring titles that I have posted in a while. I am sorry to all of you who were expecting me to be on the blog train... I would have, except that Papua Nwe Guinea has a severe lack of interent possibilities...or at least affordable ones. I am currently at the university of the divine word where I am able to log on and hopefully fill you guys in a little. Lets just say I am very greatful for Bonice's log at the salts website!
This leg has been amazing. I can't even describe it. I was so excited to be back offshore again and this leg has not let me down in any way. Since you heard from me last I have climbed volcanoes, snorkelled, scuba dived, raced hermit crabs on deserted islands, helped build a dugout canoe, danced, ate, painted, and met a lot of amazing people.
A story of interest that may not have been fully fleshed out in the ships log is the story of Houdinin Sylvester, our 38th crew member. At our first port of call in the Solomons, a town called Honiara, we aquired a an extra friend onboard. Our friend remained nameless for along time until we decided that Houdini was appropriate. He is rather small and black, and rather cheeky, and likes to eat the food and wheat grain that the cooks store under the bunks. He gained the named Houdini after impressing us all with his prestige at the art of dissapearing. We cornered him in the head one night and when we opened the dooir once we had deckbrush and bucket in hand, he had gone! We cornered him in the stern one night and before our very eyes he up and disapeared! To our best guesses up the main sheet and along the main boom back to whence he came... he likes to wake us up by running across our backs, he especially likes one mate by the name of Antony, he gets an exceptional spring off of his shoulders. He was slowly turning into legend, we even wondered if he left us to live with his friends who run rampant the dock here in Madang...but last nights sighting has left us with no doubts that the rat is still onboard.
I only have five minutes left, so I will say goodbye for now, and send my love to everyone!
I have high hopes that next leg I will be able to communicate a little more.
Thanks to everyone who has e-mailed and/wrote, it means the world...even if the post system in PNG has places to go...
I look forward to taking over from Karen for this leg, and will turn from a faux-W.O into a she-W.O.
Love you all!
This leg has been amazing. I can't even describe it. I was so excited to be back offshore again and this leg has not let me down in any way. Since you heard from me last I have climbed volcanoes, snorkelled, scuba dived, raced hermit crabs on deserted islands, helped build a dugout canoe, danced, ate, painted, and met a lot of amazing people.
A story of interest that may not have been fully fleshed out in the ships log is the story of Houdinin Sylvester, our 38th crew member. At our first port of call in the Solomons, a town called Honiara, we aquired a an extra friend onboard. Our friend remained nameless for along time until we decided that Houdini was appropriate. He is rather small and black, and rather cheeky, and likes to eat the food and wheat grain that the cooks store under the bunks. He gained the named Houdini after impressing us all with his prestige at the art of dissapearing. We cornered him in the head one night and when we opened the dooir once we had deckbrush and bucket in hand, he had gone! We cornered him in the stern one night and before our very eyes he up and disapeared! To our best guesses up the main sheet and along the main boom back to whence he came... he likes to wake us up by running across our backs, he especially likes one mate by the name of Antony, he gets an exceptional spring off of his shoulders. He was slowly turning into legend, we even wondered if he left us to live with his friends who run rampant the dock here in Madang...but last nights sighting has left us with no doubts that the rat is still onboard.
I only have five minutes left, so I will say goodbye for now, and send my love to everyone!
I have high hopes that next leg I will be able to communicate a little more.
Thanks to everyone who has e-mailed and/wrote, it means the world...even if the post system in PNG has places to go...
I look forward to taking over from Karen for this leg, and will turn from a faux-W.O into a she-W.O.
Love you all!
Friday, November 02, 2007
Blue Water, Black Magic and Green Blood
Wow. Vanuatu is fantastic and considering it was the country I wanted to visit more than any other and therefore had the highest expectations of, I am definatly enthralled with this country and wish we could have spent more time there.
My first adventure was in Port Villa on the island of Efate. The city itself was not very exciting. Noting all the duty free shops on the main street (all selling the same thing of course) you could tell it was very geared towards the cruise ships that came into town. I did however manage to entertain myself. I had never before riden a jetski, so when I saw the sign advertizing rentals I took advantage of a way to escape the heat and monotony of town and feel the cool ocean breeze once again. Loren, the exective director of SALTS, was on the boat with us for the first two weeks of this leg and the two of us rented a 2 stroke jetski and went bombing around the harbour. It was hilarious. We both had different driving styles. I liked to go fast and run straight over wakes of other boats (but usually chickened out and slowed down at the last second). Loren liked the fast turns and I was whipped off the back, twice! But both times managed to hold onto my sunglasses and chaco flops. I never did get him back....
Next island was Ambrym. This was the most interesting place for me. Aside from all the things one can read about in the log (salts.ca) I had a very interesting chat with an aussie girl named Ally who was living there working on a council in charge of 12 villages and teaching the local women to take over. This is a very radical concept considering it is very traditionally patriarchal, but they wre voted in, and so far less corruption, although Ally didn't seem to think a lot of progress had been made otherwise. I was fascinated by the culture though and all the "kastom" (custom) that prevailed their lives, right down to who could sit higher than who (male versus female). Ally's experience was definately a rich one, but one could liver their for years and not understand what was going on. The villages are very steeped in black magic and to a degree it runs their lives. Ally was told not to hang her washing out over night in case someone came and put magic on her shirt. She said she had seen things there that she can't explain. It was kind of eery, but at the same time so fascinating. We talked for a while. I think it was nice for her too to have "westerners" to talk to as well. She had may stories to share and was thrilled to be able to hang out for a bit. She even participated in an impromptu mug-up on the beach after a pig roast.
The last place we visited in Vanuatu was Louganville, on Espirito Santu. I made an amazing dive here on the President Coolidge, one of the best and most acessible wrecks in the world to dive on. It was definately the most technical dive I have ever made. I was fully inside the wreck (it was 650feet long) and could only see in some rooms with the aid of a light. We went down to kiss "The Lady" who was a portrait/frieze on the wall in the dining room, saw toilets still intact, although on what appeared to be the roof because of the orientation of the ship, and went into the chain locker as well. Also I got cut, not immediately interesting, but what I found fascinating, was the fact that because you lose colour as you go deeper in the water my blood was bright algea green! Red is one of the first colours that you lost as you descend, so while if I shone my light on my arm the blood was red, to just look at it plainly it was green. strage. luckily too, the cut has healed nicely and not got infected, which seems to happen to easily in tropical climates, especially when dealing with coral.
The passage over to the Solomons will be remembered by all because of the 6 meals of fish we ate. We caught a 8 foot marlin, and while we tried to release it, damaged it too much, so were forced to take it onboard and eat it. Marlin, is okay, not the most amazing fish ever, a little tough, but the resident fisherman Chase and Scott were able to be quite creative with ways to cook this fish (which I'm sure the cooks Gillian and Katie welcomed with open arms) We had fish steaks, fish sausages, fish nuggets, fish burgers, and fish cakes. All very cook, but when we caught another similar sized marlin the day we finished the first one, everyone was keen to let it go.
My first adventure was in Port Villa on the island of Efate. The city itself was not very exciting. Noting all the duty free shops on the main street (all selling the same thing of course) you could tell it was very geared towards the cruise ships that came into town. I did however manage to entertain myself. I had never before riden a jetski, so when I saw the sign advertizing rentals I took advantage of a way to escape the heat and monotony of town and feel the cool ocean breeze once again. Loren, the exective director of SALTS, was on the boat with us for the first two weeks of this leg and the two of us rented a 2 stroke jetski and went bombing around the harbour. It was hilarious. We both had different driving styles. I liked to go fast and run straight over wakes of other boats (but usually chickened out and slowed down at the last second). Loren liked the fast turns and I was whipped off the back, twice! But both times managed to hold onto my sunglasses and chaco flops. I never did get him back....
Next island was Ambrym. This was the most interesting place for me. Aside from all the things one can read about in the log (salts.ca) I had a very interesting chat with an aussie girl named Ally who was living there working on a council in charge of 12 villages and teaching the local women to take over. This is a very radical concept considering it is very traditionally patriarchal, but they wre voted in, and so far less corruption, although Ally didn't seem to think a lot of progress had been made otherwise. I was fascinated by the culture though and all the "kastom" (custom) that prevailed their lives, right down to who could sit higher than who (male versus female). Ally's experience was definately a rich one, but one could liver their for years and not understand what was going on. The villages are very steeped in black magic and to a degree it runs their lives. Ally was told not to hang her washing out over night in case someone came and put magic on her shirt. She said she had seen things there that she can't explain. It was kind of eery, but at the same time so fascinating. We talked for a while. I think it was nice for her too to have "westerners" to talk to as well. She had may stories to share and was thrilled to be able to hang out for a bit. She even participated in an impromptu mug-up on the beach after a pig roast.
The last place we visited in Vanuatu was Louganville, on Espirito Santu. I made an amazing dive here on the President Coolidge, one of the best and most acessible wrecks in the world to dive on. It was definately the most technical dive I have ever made. I was fully inside the wreck (it was 650feet long) and could only see in some rooms with the aid of a light. We went down to kiss "The Lady" who was a portrait/frieze on the wall in the dining room, saw toilets still intact, although on what appeared to be the roof because of the orientation of the ship, and went into the chain locker as well. Also I got cut, not immediately interesting, but what I found fascinating, was the fact that because you lose colour as you go deeper in the water my blood was bright algea green! Red is one of the first colours that you lost as you descend, so while if I shone my light on my arm the blood was red, to just look at it plainly it was green. strage. luckily too, the cut has healed nicely and not got infected, which seems to happen to easily in tropical climates, especially when dealing with coral.
The passage over to the Solomons will be remembered by all because of the 6 meals of fish we ate. We caught a 8 foot marlin, and while we tried to release it, damaged it too much, so were forced to take it onboard and eat it. Marlin, is okay, not the most amazing fish ever, a little tough, but the resident fisherman Chase and Scott were able to be quite creative with ways to cook this fish (which I'm sure the cooks Gillian and Katie welcomed with open arms) We had fish steaks, fish sausages, fish nuggets, fish burgers, and fish cakes. All very cook, but when we caught another similar sized marlin the day we finished the first one, everyone was keen to let it go.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Pictures
I've also uploaded some pics to the web check out
Lautoka & Waya, Fiji
*sorry the quality doesn't seem to be that great on the enlargements...I'm working on it.
Lautoka & Waya, Fiji
*sorry the quality doesn't seem to be that great on the enlargements...I'm working on it.
The International Language of Dance
One thing I love about being offshore is being able to experience culture. There are a few great things about travelling on the boat that make these experiences all the richer. One is that we are able to get to some more remote locations than the average "parachute" tourist, another is that we are able to bring our home with us, and a third is that we are a whole group of young people.
After leaving Lautoka we sailed over to another island, still part of Fiji, called Waya. We brought Kava to the cheif and we warmly welcomed into their village. It was a very traditionaal Fijian village and a mother named, Mila, gave us a tour of their village and introduced us to the "old man" (chief) and "old woman" (matriarch) and then a local boy, Sie, led us on a hike up the mountain. We found out later that we were the first foreigners to ever climb all the way to the top! We were also suprised to hear that we were the first boat to come to island in least 20 years and definately the only boat full of young people who wanted to spend time sharing with them.
We rowed some of them back to the boat for a tour and to play on our rope swing and were invited back that evening because they wanted to dance for us. After dinner we rowed the dories back in the dark and they led us over to a low cement porch covered by mats overhung by corrugated tin roof, in front of a field where they would dance for us. Some of the local boys performed a knife dance, the warrier/fertility dance, the flame dance, and a fire dance. It was a hilarious. You could definately tell they were having fun with it, adding in some impromptu and less than authentic moves... it was all fantastic though! The fire dancing was the most awe inspiring. They were whipping around sticks with flames on the ends of them (kind of like the ones jugglers use) and doing all sorts of pyramids and tricks. The most amazing was when they balanced the flamming sticks on the bottoms of their feet. They were laying on the ground holding balls of fire on the arches of their feet!!!
The next part was possible even more hilarious.
They asked us to dance for them.
They had everyone stand up and tought us the "Bula Dance" definately some form of the Fijian Macarena, and then we did a sort of congo line which included a half squat, reaching between your legs to grab the persons hand behind and infront of you and then a jump... all the while the locals laughing hysterically and yelling at us to "not touch the coconuts".... slightly offside, but we were happy to make their day.
After this we had a kava ceremony and we brought some instruments on land and Tavish and Jose performed a drum duo and we all had a little impromptu mug-up with them.
All in all a very memorable night and a fantastic way to start of the leg.
We are now unfortunatly back in Lautoka waiting for fuel and a part to be made correctly for us, but tomorrow we will be on our way to Vanuatu.
After leaving Lautoka we sailed over to another island, still part of Fiji, called Waya. We brought Kava to the cheif and we warmly welcomed into their village. It was a very traditionaal Fijian village and a mother named, Mila, gave us a tour of their village and introduced us to the "old man" (chief) and "old woman" (matriarch) and then a local boy, Sie, led us on a hike up the mountain. We found out later that we were the first foreigners to ever climb all the way to the top! We were also suprised to hear that we were the first boat to come to island in least 20 years and definately the only boat full of young people who wanted to spend time sharing with them.
We rowed some of them back to the boat for a tour and to play on our rope swing and were invited back that evening because they wanted to dance for us. After dinner we rowed the dories back in the dark and they led us over to a low cement porch covered by mats overhung by corrugated tin roof, in front of a field where they would dance for us. Some of the local boys performed a knife dance, the warrier/fertility dance, the flame dance, and a fire dance. It was a hilarious. You could definately tell they were having fun with it, adding in some impromptu and less than authentic moves... it was all fantastic though! The fire dancing was the most awe inspiring. They were whipping around sticks with flames on the ends of them (kind of like the ones jugglers use) and doing all sorts of pyramids and tricks. The most amazing was when they balanced the flamming sticks on the bottoms of their feet. They were laying on the ground holding balls of fire on the arches of their feet!!!
The next part was possible even more hilarious.
They asked us to dance for them.
They had everyone stand up and tought us the "Bula Dance" definately some form of the Fijian Macarena, and then we did a sort of congo line which included a half squat, reaching between your legs to grab the persons hand behind and infront of you and then a jump... all the while the locals laughing hysterically and yelling at us to "not touch the coconuts".... slightly offside, but we were happy to make their day.
After this we had a kava ceremony and we brought some instruments on land and Tavish and Jose performed a drum duo and we all had a little impromptu mug-up with them.
All in all a very memorable night and a fantastic way to start of the leg.
We are now unfortunatly back in Lautoka waiting for fuel and a part to be made correctly for us, but tomorrow we will be on our way to Vanuatu.
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Upon Arrival
After spending about 24 hours actual time and 48 hours PST I have arrrived in Fiji and sweated... a lot. It's a beautiful country, gorgeous and green and I have been enjoying the lack of ties I feel to technology. Upon arrival I was immediately whisked away by a driver from the lodge where I was to meet up with the rest of the crew during their break between legs on the boat. Safari Lodge was the very cliche of beach bum couple from Australia who just want to spend the rest of their lives windsurfing and kiteboarding and playing in the sun, so why not open a resort and teach other people to do it too? at least we'll always have company. It was a lot of fun and I had a blast giving my best on the windsurfing board and lounging around in the incredibly comfortable hammocks.
I am however very glad to be back on the Pacific Grace once again. After spending a year on the Swift the first thing I noticed was how BIG the Grace felt and then how dry she looked compared to the glossy varnish of the Swift. The heat down here, while making us all sweat profusely has dried all moisture out of the wood. Never-the-less she still looks grand and striking against here background of turqoise blue sees and jagged island chains.
We have spent a total of one day together so far and already this group seems a promising one. They all have high expectations for the leg and we are going to do our best to follow through. My favourite part of offshore is simply the amount of time you have with everyone and the next 76 days should be amazing to watch and take part in.
We are planning on leaving Fiji tomorrow for the Yasawa Group and then back here to Loutoka to clear out of customs before heading off to Vanuatu.
I am however very glad to be back on the Pacific Grace once again. After spending a year on the Swift the first thing I noticed was how BIG the Grace felt and then how dry she looked compared to the glossy varnish of the Swift. The heat down here, while making us all sweat profusely has dried all moisture out of the wood. Never-the-less she still looks grand and striking against here background of turqoise blue sees and jagged island chains.
We have spent a total of one day together so far and already this group seems a promising one. They all have high expectations for the leg and we are going to do our best to follow through. My favourite part of offshore is simply the amount of time you have with everyone and the next 76 days should be amazing to watch and take part in.
We are planning on leaving Fiji tomorrow for the Yasawa Group and then back here to Loutoka to clear out of customs before heading off to Vanuatu.
Saturday, October 06, 2007
Last Trip, time to pack
Well thats is it. It's really hard to believe that I am finished another season, a third season! and that I won't be going out on the boat again next week...or at least not on the Swift. This weekend is proving to be busy and expensive as I fill malaria prescriptions and buy all the other odds and ends that will be easier to get in Canada. I am really excited to go. I have been looking forward to this for a long time, but this season has been so amazing as well and I will be sad to leave this crew, that I have gotten to know so well and love so much, behind. I will also admit that I am nervous about coming into a community that has been established already and trying to find my place in a role that I have never played with SALTS.
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Gone in Ten, Nine, Eight....
Hi Everyone.
I'm off in 10 days, crazy! Anyways, I'm packing up my apartment today so I thought I'd send out the addresses of the Port Agents while I still have my computer with me. So just in case anyone wants to send me mail (*wink *wink It's so special to get mail when you arrive in port!) well now you have that ability! Make sure my name and Pacific Grace appear on the outside somewhere to make sure it gets to me. Don't forget to send me your info if you want to start collecting exotic stamps. So there you go, love you all.
Papua New Guinea: send by November 1
Sarah Brizan, Pacific Grace
C/O D&S Seko Ltd.
PO Box 993 Madang
Papua New Guinea
China: send by December 9
Sarah Brizan, Pacific Grace
C/O Penavico Shanghai Pudong Co., Ltd.
5/F.,No.175 (Wang Jiao Plaza), Yan An Road
Shanghai 200002
P.R. China
Japan: Send by February 19
Sarah Brizan, Pacific Grace
C/O Waldron Norton Lilly Intl Osaka (Branch) Heisei Shipping Angencies Ltd.
Wakasugi Grand Bldg 3F
5-25 Tenjinbanshi 2-Chrome
Japan
Hawaii: send by April 22
Sarah Brizan, Pacific Grace
C/O Waldron Norton Lilly Intl
521 Ala Moana Blvd. Suite 255
Honolulu, Hawaii
96825 USA
--
Take Care,
Sarah.
~Sing, Dance, Floss, Travel
I'm off in 10 days, crazy! Anyways, I'm packing up my apartment today so I thought I'd send out the addresses of the Port Agents while I still have my computer with me. So just in case anyone wants to send me mail (*wink *wink It's so special to get mail when you arrive in port!) well now you have that ability! Make sure my name and Pacific Grace appear on the outside somewhere to make sure it gets to me. Don't forget to send me your info if you want to start collecting exotic stamps. So there you go, love you all.
Papua New Guinea: send by November 1
Sarah Brizan, Pacific Grace
C/O D&S Seko Ltd.
PO Box 993 Madang
Papua New Guinea
China: send by December 9
Sarah Brizan, Pacific Grace
C/O Penavico Shanghai Pudong Co., Ltd.
5/F.,No.175 (Wang Jiao Plaza), Yan An Road
Shanghai 200002
P.R. China
Japan: Send by February 19
Sarah Brizan, Pacific Grace
C/O Waldron Norton Lilly Intl Osaka (Branch) Heisei Shipping Angencies Ltd.
Wakasugi Grand Bldg 3F
5-25 Tenjinbanshi 2-Chrome
Japan
Hawaii: send by April 22
Sarah Brizan, Pacific Grace
C/O Waldron Norton Lilly Intl
521 Ala Moana Blvd. Suite 255
Honolulu, Hawaii
96825 USA
--
Take Care,
Sarah.
~Sing, Dance, Floss, Travel
Monday, September 24, 2007
Under the Knife
Although possibly, more appropriately titled under the q-tip perhaps.... turns out that my ear drum wasn't ruptured after all but that I had wax melted onto it, hence the pain. In the end I had to go into day surgery to have it removed and after fasting and not drinking all day yesterday and not being able to go in I was glad to receive a spot this afternoon. All went well, but they ended up having to take off a layer of my ear drum as well so besides the fact that I'm still doped up feeling my ear is possible more tender and sore than it was before. The good news is that it should heal up in a couple days and then off to Fiji, no problems.
Oh and I'll be out on the boat this week, but have been promised as much as I need to recover (albeit on the boat)...should be okay though, my crew loves me.
Oh and I'll be out on the boat this week, but have been promised as much as I need to recover (albeit on the boat)...should be okay though, my crew loves me.
Friday, September 21, 2007
Update
Now that title seems a little redundant as this is a blog, and what else am I going to do but update....
But I mean update on my ear, which still has not healed.
I went to another doctor who said the same thing as the last one, its just needs some time. I want to believe them, but I have this sinking suspicion that it needs more than time. Hasn't there been enough time elapsed already? It's been 10 days since I tore a hole in my ear drum and the pain seems to be increasing, arrrraaaaarrrrrgh!
Anyways, hopefully the T3's will help, now that I have actually accepted a prescription for them.
Cross my fingers and pray.
But I mean update on my ear, which still has not healed.
I went to another doctor who said the same thing as the last one, its just needs some time. I want to believe them, but I have this sinking suspicion that it needs more than time. Hasn't there been enough time elapsed already? It's been 10 days since I tore a hole in my ear drum and the pain seems to be increasing, arrrraaaaarrrrrgh!
Anyways, hopefully the T3's will help, now that I have actually accepted a prescription for them.
Cross my fingers and pray.
Monday, September 17, 2007
Back to School
Well I'm not back to school, but back to doing school trips which make up the majority of my year. I was thrilled to have a chance to visit with a good friend and past coworker, Rebekah, in between the break of summer and fall trips. She is an amazing girl, with such servants heart.
I was excited to sail with my old highschool for the first trip this Septmeber. College Heights is always a trip looked forward to by the crew and a really good transition trip from summer trips, where there are multi ages and no one knows eachother before hand, to school trips, where its a class that has been going to school together for a while. College Heights brings multi age student who may or may not know eachother but have fundraised together for a year before hand to get there. Going from a ten day to a five day feels so short, so the extra day with this group was great to have.
I usually feel like the longer a trainee spends on the boat the more they understand the routine, the more they learn and the more chance I have of getting to know them even just a little. Most schools come for five days and the difference between school trips and summer trips in terms of growth, learning, and understanding are huge. This is another reason that I am so excited to have the chance to go offshore again. Having the oppotunity to spend months on the bo at is so incredible. I am excited for the immeasurable amount of potential it brings.
On a completely different note... I ruptured my ear drum! Warning: No one should ever candle their ears! A friend of mine wanted to try it out so I thought, why not?. Well I didn't know what had happenned at the time, but turns out that the loud noise pain I felt was my eardrum rupturing! I went on to do the next five days with a constantly plugged feeling ear, and the pain got better and then worse as the week progressed. I didn't get to see a doctor until we came in five days later, but I am happy to know what is wrong with me, unfortunately there is nothing I can do but wait it out, it should heal a few more days though. My crew was great to me, picking up where I had no more energy left. The boat is that last place I'd pick to be sick. I feel awful and useless because I can't do my job the way I'd like to be able to, but I was so happy to have a crew that cares so much.
Back out again tomorrow. We have a replacement cook for the next two trips. A long time SALTSer, Christina Vanderkamp, who I am really excited to be sailing with again. I am also looking forward to next weekend when one of my best friends ever, Ronelle, is coming to visit for the weekend! Lots of excitment in the next few weeks before I leave, but I'm feeling organized and my passport is back and the visas all came through which is a big weight off. Now I just need to worry about buying enough toothpaste for the year!
I was excited to sail with my old highschool for the first trip this Septmeber. College Heights is always a trip looked forward to by the crew and a really good transition trip from summer trips, where there are multi ages and no one knows eachother before hand, to school trips, where its a class that has been going to school together for a while. College Heights brings multi age student who may or may not know eachother but have fundraised together for a year before hand to get there. Going from a ten day to a five day feels so short, so the extra day with this group was great to have.
I usually feel like the longer a trainee spends on the boat the more they understand the routine, the more they learn and the more chance I have of getting to know them even just a little. Most schools come for five days and the difference between school trips and summer trips in terms of growth, learning, and understanding are huge. This is another reason that I am so excited to have the chance to go offshore again. Having the oppotunity to spend months on the bo at is so incredible. I am excited for the immeasurable amount of potential it brings.
On a completely different note... I ruptured my ear drum! Warning: No one should ever candle their ears! A friend of mine wanted to try it out so I thought, why not?. Well I didn't know what had happenned at the time, but turns out that the loud noise pain I felt was my eardrum rupturing! I went on to do the next five days with a constantly plugged feeling ear, and the pain got better and then worse as the week progressed. I didn't get to see a doctor until we came in five days later, but I am happy to know what is wrong with me, unfortunately there is nothing I can do but wait it out, it should heal a few more days though. My crew was great to me, picking up where I had no more energy left. The boat is that last place I'd pick to be sick. I feel awful and useless because I can't do my job the way I'd like to be able to, but I was so happy to have a crew that cares so much.
Back out again tomorrow. We have a replacement cook for the next two trips. A long time SALTSer, Christina Vanderkamp, who I am really excited to be sailing with again. I am also looking forward to next weekend when one of my best friends ever, Ronelle, is coming to visit for the weekend! Lots of excitment in the next few weeks before I leave, but I'm feeling organized and my passport is back and the visas all came through which is a big weight off. Now I just need to worry about buying enough toothpaste for the year!
Friday, August 31, 2007
Circumnavigation # 3 Complete
I am back in Victoria now after fulling circumnavigating Vancouver Island for the third time. It's the greatest feeling when you round the corner and can see Race Rocks (one of the oldest lighthouses on the west coast) and you know that you are home again. Trips four and five were both fantastic, compelte with highlight visits to Hot Springs Cove, Rugged Beach and Cougar Annie's Garden!
Trip four in general was quite a calm trip, hardly any seasickness, which is great for a trip down the west coast. This trip is always really exciting because we only get to visit these places once a year everything is so new and undiscovered feeling and there isn't very much traffic either. We didn't have any really stomping broad reach sails like we normally due but a lot of our travelling was done very steadily with the courses, mains'l and main top up. We got so many fish we could hardly eat them all, despite the fish and chips night we put on thanks to Andrea.
Trip five was a different story all together. We got to sail up the island on the first day, which is rare in itself because the wind is usually blowing from the north when we want to head that way to start the trip out (there is virtually nothing between Ucluelet and Victoria). However, despite the sail (which usually calms the motion of the boat) almost every hand was seasick in one form or another. We had a few diehard trainees (most of whom were in Port watch...) who did a lot of dishes and radio watch that first day. We finally made it up the South side of Brooks Peninsula where we thought we would be sheltered from the swell....but we weren't and ended up having on the most terrifying dory experiences I've ever had trying to load people into the dory while buffering my dory against the bottom of the Swift as we got sucked under wiht every other roll! By the time we finally got to shore the trainees were almost kissing the sand and just staring at the trees trying to pretend the ocean didn't exist behind them.
The trip continued on however, and despite a lot of rolling around (penance for such a calm trip four I suppose) everyone had an amazing time. The highlight for me was a a very muddy and hilarious hike through the rainforest to Whitesand Beach (one of the most beautiful on the West Coast) Although I'm not sure everyone found this knee-deep mud experience quite as enjoyable as I did....I now have a new favourite sound though, and it is the sound of squelching mud and you lift your feet out of it take the next step back in.
It's really nice to be back in Victoria with some time to rest hopefully, between organizing everything I need for Offshore. I was getting a little nervouse about my Papua New Guinea Visa going through, but it looks like its all sorted out and that I should be getting it back next week sometime. Just enoough time to send it off to the Chinese Embassy next and have it back in time to leave in early October.
I really starting to realize how little I am prepared at the moment, but I'm slowly ticking off my to do list one by one and am trying to rest at the same time and get over a cold that seems to have taken a hold of me. It usually happens at the end of the summer. I figure my body just go go go's until the end of august and then when I get back from the boat and it realizes it has time to be sick it takes advantage of it!
Trip four in general was quite a calm trip, hardly any seasickness, which is great for a trip down the west coast. This trip is always really exciting because we only get to visit these places once a year everything is so new and undiscovered feeling and there isn't very much traffic either. We didn't have any really stomping broad reach sails like we normally due but a lot of our travelling was done very steadily with the courses, mains'l and main top up. We got so many fish we could hardly eat them all, despite the fish and chips night we put on thanks to Andrea.
Trip five was a different story all together. We got to sail up the island on the first day, which is rare in itself because the wind is usually blowing from the north when we want to head that way to start the trip out (there is virtually nothing between Ucluelet and Victoria). However, despite the sail (which usually calms the motion of the boat) almost every hand was seasick in one form or another. We had a few diehard trainees (most of whom were in Port watch...) who did a lot of dishes and radio watch that first day. We finally made it up the South side of Brooks Peninsula where we thought we would be sheltered from the swell....but we weren't and ended up having on the most terrifying dory experiences I've ever had trying to load people into the dory while buffering my dory against the bottom of the Swift as we got sucked under wiht every other roll! By the time we finally got to shore the trainees were almost kissing the sand and just staring at the trees trying to pretend the ocean didn't exist behind them.
The trip continued on however, and despite a lot of rolling around (penance for such a calm trip four I suppose) everyone had an amazing time. The highlight for me was a a very muddy and hilarious hike through the rainforest to Whitesand Beach (one of the most beautiful on the West Coast) Although I'm not sure everyone found this knee-deep mud experience quite as enjoyable as I did....I now have a new favourite sound though, and it is the sound of squelching mud and you lift your feet out of it take the next step back in.
It's really nice to be back in Victoria with some time to rest hopefully, between organizing everything I need for Offshore. I was getting a little nervouse about my Papua New Guinea Visa going through, but it looks like its all sorted out and that I should be getting it back next week sometime. Just enoough time to send it off to the Chinese Embassy next and have it back in time to leave in early October.
I really starting to realize how little I am prepared at the moment, but I'm slowly ticking off my to do list one by one and am trying to rest at the same time and get over a cold that seems to have taken a hold of me. It usually happens at the end of the summer. I figure my body just go go go's until the end of august and then when I get back from the boat and it realizes it has time to be sick it takes advantage of it!
Monday, August 06, 2007
Trip 3
This was an amazing trip. Leaving Victoria and knowing that you won't be back there again for at least a month is a great feeling. We set off and started the trip with a night run all the way up to Desolation sound making our first stop at Savary Island. Beautiful white sandy beach where we had a fantastic game of soccer, boys against girls...which usually isn't the best idea, but this time the girls were all for it and definitely held there own, although they just couldn't quite seem to score. Everyone was really happy and exhausted afterwards though.
The next few days we spent lolly-gagging in some of the lakes and waterfalls that are abundant in Desolation before started north again on our way up to Port Hardy. We even managed to spend an afternoon at Fredrick Arm where my watch had a lovely dory sail into the lagoon where everyone else was busy preparing for a sauna. This is always an adventure. We build a fire on the beach and heat up rocks meanwhile building a tent out of a tarp and wood with a pit in it. Then we put the hot rocks into the pit we fill the tent with people. Next we pour hot water on the rocks and let the steam collect inside the tent, for as long as we can stand it before we start a tribal chant of "Sauna sauna sauna...!!!" and then everyone makes a break for the cold water lagoon that is close at hand. It was fantastic.
We were thwarted by wind and current and fish as we spent out time trying to sail north, but not making it very far (I spent an entire four hour watch in the same 2 nautical miles of where I started!) We spent some time at many fishing spots that had been lucky the previous year, but not this time. The only fish we've caught this year is a three inch long rock fish of some sort caught off the Port Hardy Dock. We are hoping for better luck on the west coast.
This trip was one of my favourites. Trip three can make or break your summer sometimes being the "hump trip" but we were treated to so many good adventures, some spectacular sailing and whale shows (like within one hundred feet of the boat!) and even more fantastic and very talented trainees. Thanks to Angela for all her fiddle!
Port hardy has been relaxing and the time had gone by fast, but I am ready to leave and get back on the water.
Love to everyone!
The next few days we spent lolly-gagging in some of the lakes and waterfalls that are abundant in Desolation before started north again on our way up to Port Hardy. We even managed to spend an afternoon at Fredrick Arm where my watch had a lovely dory sail into the lagoon where everyone else was busy preparing for a sauna. This is always an adventure. We build a fire on the beach and heat up rocks meanwhile building a tent out of a tarp and wood with a pit in it. Then we put the hot rocks into the pit we fill the tent with people. Next we pour hot water on the rocks and let the steam collect inside the tent, for as long as we can stand it before we start a tribal chant of "Sauna sauna sauna...!!!" and then everyone makes a break for the cold water lagoon that is close at hand. It was fantastic.
We were thwarted by wind and current and fish as we spent out time trying to sail north, but not making it very far (I spent an entire four hour watch in the same 2 nautical miles of where I started!) We spent some time at many fishing spots that had been lucky the previous year, but not this time. The only fish we've caught this year is a three inch long rock fish of some sort caught off the Port Hardy Dock. We are hoping for better luck on the west coast.
This trip was one of my favourites. Trip three can make or break your summer sometimes being the "hump trip" but we were treated to so many good adventures, some spectacular sailing and whale shows (like within one hundred feet of the boat!) and even more fantastic and very talented trainees. Thanks to Angela for all her fiddle!
Port hardy has been relaxing and the time had gone by fast, but I am ready to leave and get back on the water.
Love to everyone!
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Trip 2
Wow.
Two down three to go. This is the point in the summer, when you can't believe how little time you have left in the season. It's really like one big long trip, since leaving Victoria this time means I won't be back again until September, and then its a month and half worth of trips before the sails will come off again.
Trip 2 was great, visiting the old desolation haunts one more time, enjoying the sun while always praying for a little more wind... We had fantastic volunteers again, they really make the trip amazing. We always joke about how fabulous it would be if we could stock pile volunteers so by the end of the summer we would have 5 bosun's mates and assistant cooks, 10 watch leaders, etc. I think we don't do this because we would be laughing so hard we would never get anywhere. Gong show!
After only a few days back in Victoria, I'm already looking forward to being back on the water again. Being in town makes me realize all the things that are STILL on my to do list... like travel visas and forms and banking...ugh
Two down three to go. This is the point in the summer, when you can't believe how little time you have left in the season. It's really like one big long trip, since leaving Victoria this time means I won't be back again until September, and then its a month and half worth of trips before the sails will come off again.
Trip 2 was great, visiting the old desolation haunts one more time, enjoying the sun while always praying for a little more wind... We had fantastic volunteers again, they really make the trip amazing. We always joke about how fabulous it would be if we could stock pile volunteers so by the end of the summer we would have 5 bosun's mates and assistant cooks, 10 watch leaders, etc. I think we don't do this because we would be laughing so hard we would never get anywhere. Gong show!
After only a few days back in Victoria, I'm already looking forward to being back on the water again. Being in town makes me realize all the things that are STILL on my to do list... like travel visas and forms and banking...ugh
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Monday, July 09, 2007
Trip 1
Back to the routine of summer. Its glorious, and really not so much of a routine at all. It is fantastic to be back into a longer trip after so many shorter three day ones. The summer trips are my favourite part about working for SALTS, I figure the longer the trip the better. You can get to know everyone so much more and relationships onboard develop so much deeper as well. Not to mention the fact that one can reap the benefits of all the teaching they do and not have to start all over every three days. It was a such a treat to be able to furl the topsails and headsails with trainees and then have them jumping at the gun to be able to go and do it by themselves the next time.
The first trip of the summer was full of all its usual shananigans and colourful characters,
Let me introduce you to:
RICO! ROSALITA! and CHANCHO!
not to mention was blessed with an unusual amount of wind.
The inside passage trips up to Desolation can be quite flat, but we were able to have worthwhile sails 7 of 9 days with a special treat of sailing all the way down the Georgia Strait averaging around 6 kts on our way back to Victoria. We hit up all the favourite spots: Savary Island (a glorious beach), Tenedos Bay and Unwin lake (possible my favourite anchorage in Desolation), Teakerne Arm and the waterfalls from Cassel Lake, and Hornby Island (another amazing beach, and with an icecream store to boot!)
We were blessed with four stellar volunteers and a whole boat load of amazing trainees who really bought into the program and where excited and up for anything.
This trip really drove home what it is about this program that I love. It's all the relationships that are made, the community that is developed, seeing people being challenged and learning from them, hearing peoples stories and sharing in a part of their life.
The first trip of the summer was full of all its usual shananigans and colourful characters,
Let me introduce you to:
not to mention was blessed with an unusual amount of wind.
The inside passage trips up to Desolation can be quite flat, but we were able to have worthwhile sails 7 of 9 days with a special treat of sailing all the way down the Georgia Strait averaging around 6 kts on our way back to Victoria. We hit up all the favourite spots: Savary Island (a glorious beach), Tenedos Bay and Unwin lake (possible my favourite anchorage in Desolation), Teakerne Arm and the waterfalls from Cassel Lake, and Hornby Island (another amazing beach, and with an icecream store to boot!)
We were blessed with four stellar volunteers and a whole boat load of amazing trainees who really bought into the program and where excited and up for anything.
This trip really drove home what it is about this program that I love. It's all the relationships that are made, the community that is developed, seeing people being challenged and learning from them, hearing peoples stories and sharing in a part of their life.
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