Travel – Page 2 – Our World Adventure

Fun times in California, Seattle, and the San Juans!

October 18, 2024October 23, 2024 by Scott and Kathy Erwin, Sail the World, posted in Travel

Adventuring up in Seattle after a terrific week visiting family in Santa Cruz, California. Below Kathy and Mom (Sue Krevitt) find a yummy spot for a lunch date. It’s so super being with my parents and extended family doing a few special hikes, Redwoods Yoga, hot tubs, and yummy dinners. We went out necessary clothes shopping, since everything we had was a bit salty and sun bleached.

Up in Seattle, we visited our great boater friends we met in Mexico; Dean and Gaby. They hosted us on their 72 foot motor yacht (for sale, btw). We were so lucky to have 10 great, sunny, beautiful days with them cruising around the San Juan Islands.

Two weeks back in the States and we are slowly getting use to “American” habits.
-Taking a shower with as much water as we used to use in a week
-phone and internet service available 24/7/365
-meat selection that would feed a whole village for a month
-ability not only to buy basic vegetables but also genetically altered veg like brokiflower.
-the need for shoes other than our trusty flip-flops
-blankets, sheets, blue jeans and sweatshirts oh my.
-pasty white skin again. Where’s my tan!!???

We also had an amazing week in Washington with Dean and Gaby on Ave Marina (we met them in Mexico and made quick friends). Kathy and I were invited to speak at the Seattle boat show and we then headed north to the San Juan’s.

We loved the variety of boats and great food both served up by an amazing cook Gaby and nice meals out in the city(s). Seattle and Tacoma.
We also got to spend some time with Nashun Robinson which we also know from Mexico. It’s just amazing how many new friends we have all over the world now.
The San Juan’s are beautiful but very different than other cruising grounds. No swimming for sure and the cruisers typically don’t relate with each other (🤷) but there is stunning scenery and flat calm waters. Nice to be crew for a while and not the captain. 🙂

Yes! You too can enjoy the cruising life on Ave Marina as she is for sale. Dean and Gaby are looking forward to building a house in Montana and looking for the next boat……(maybe a bit smaller).

We attended the Boat Show here, did a talk about our World Sailing Adventure and explored the big city. We motored up to the San Juan’s, Victoria and Sucia Island, Friday and Roche Harbors. A bit cold and rainy though a few days, but very fun and beautiful.

(For those following our boat buying story, we are hopeful for the boat we have been looking at in NZ, in December, stay tuned)

Tonga for six weeks! Lovely small Island vibe!

July 10, 2024July 22, 2024 by Scott and Kathy Erwin, Sail the World, posted in Travel

Exploring Vava’u, Tonga by sailboat offers an exhilarating blend of busy adventure and relaxation. 🌴 We alternated between relaxing in anchorages and lively town experiences, seizing opportunities to sell our unneeded items, like our spare outboard, spare compressor and even our extra pork (just ask in the comments). Photographing our sweet Sea Bella for sale (now sold to a family from Alaska!) and marveling at the majestic flying foxes, we found joy in every moment. The busy Saturday market added a touch of color and warmth to our journey, with new hats, shells and a trivet. Our biggest and last task was clearing out of the country and fueling up. This was a 4 hour job, since the fuel arrives on a truck from afar and needs to be called in a day ahead. Cruisers either pull up to a gas dock (sometimes a sketchy dock like this one) or vote for hauling it in Jerry cans. We typically try to sail to anchorages, but here in Tonga, we found a maze of little islands to go around, as you see in our tracks. We would sail a bit then turn, finding the wind at our nose (for the non sailor friends, one cannot sail into the wind).

Our town experiences were quite opposite to French Polynesia, as we ate out many days since the food and prices were great. Yoga continues to be a hit, on a dock, barge or under a giant Banyan tree. Overall, Tonga enchanted us, and we eagerly anticipate our next visit on a catamaran!

Howdy from Fiji! We are in the lower Island Vet Letu is massive!

We are in Fiji in a marina now and life is pretty busy! We have many plates being juggled at the moment. But, the short of it is, yes we are under contract to sell Sea Bella. Bittersweet for sure but definitely the right move, timing, location…The new owners are a young family from Alaska who want to continue our path and head west! They are keeping her name!! Strange though, they won’t be coming down till next May. We need to strip the boat and store everything below for cyclone season.

If all goes well, we move off Sea Bella about July 20, with suitcases in hand and move on to babysit a 54 foot catamaran for 8 weeks-Nirvana. We can cruise around Fiji, and Derek visits us then too! Living on a cat will be a change, fun and very weird as we will feel homeless. A good trial run for us as well.

We then will fly to Ca, mid September, readjust, breathe and continue the process of selling a house in Atascadero (listed yesterday) and searching for a catamaran in Virginia (if all goes well). A real 3 ring circus!

If we find the perfect boat, hahaha, then we will cruise the Caribbean , San Blas, then through the Panama Canal, head through some new places in southern French Polynesian and back to where we left off, just a year or 2 later. Haha! Is that a lap and a half around the globe? 🌎

Maupiti, our Last French Polynesian Island

May 14, 2024November 7, 2024 by Scott and Kathy Erwin, Sail the World, posted in adventure, Sailing, Travel

Maupiti…! You have to see the video below.

What’s in a Polynesian Island? THIS is what we envisioned from the beginning and sums up the amazing beauty of French Polynesia.

This Society island is definitely on the fringe of this “French” nation but represents the epitome of the bedroom culture in this Society archipelago. The locals share the French language and a bit of French culture but definitely have much more of a welcoming spirit than what we’ve seen in the other Society Islands. We could be here for weeks longer.
When you watch the video, you will see happy local people and beautiful scenery. All the locals have boats, bikes and big smiles. If you need a ride on land they will happily loan you their bike. If you need bananas, they will take you all over the village until they find what you need.
One of our friends boats “Captain Musick” has been recruited to take supplies to Maupiti’s sister island Maupihaa, which is 100 miles away and hasn’t seen a supply ship in six months. 🫨 It has 20 people on the island and have very little! OMG this boat is packed with stuff. lol

So onward we go. Sea Bella is jumping Tuesday to Beveridge Reef (a sunk island) 900 miles westward to a reef that doesn’t even break the water. Google it! This should be interesting and the sharks are supposed to be super interested in all comers. Ha
We have a reservation in Niue (smallest Island Country in the World, also a raised coral island) on the 13th, weather dependent, but that seems so far away. Sheesh. Lots of sailing to do….
We’ll check in next week.

Thanks to all the Friends that are sailing with us. Deguello, Captain Musick, Hooligan, Scout and Side Two.

Sailing Season #3; West from Marquesas to Fiji.

May 14, 2024May 14, 2024 by Scott and Kathy Erwin, Sail the World, posted in adventure, Sailing, Travel

Friends and family ask us,
”What’s next?”

While we waited out the summer storm season (Nov- Mar) in our safe haven, beautiful home of the Marquesan Islands, we researched, planned, discussed, read, yes played and put a plan loosely together for the next sailing season. Weather is the primary factor while we research. Our cruising buddies’ plans are also a factor. It’s important for Scott and I to have a friend group to sail nearby. If this doesn’t happen, we meet new cruisers within a day or two, as like minded people are easy to meet. We also experience these remote islands and the unique flora and fauna of land, sea and air. We also participate and explore the local culture, traditions and cuisine.

As you may recall, we are on a slow westward path, enjoying as much LIFE as possible. A Sailing Adventure continues to be our theme, so we headed to the Southern islands of Marquesas. April we visited the Society Islands (Huahine, Bora Bora and Maupiti) and then left French Polynesia by our visa expiration date. We may stop at Niue Island, adventure around the islands of Tonga, sail toward Fiji, first stopping at the amazing dive spot called Beveridge, and end up in September in Fiji.

“Then what??”
The Pacific Ocean is too large for Sea Bella to cross in one season (unless we don’t stop much) So she needs to stay in and around Fiji for the next cyclone season Nov-Mar. Fiji has safe harbor marinas, if needed, and 500ish, pristine islands to cruise around. Looking forward to it all! Stay tuned…

Sewing is a Healthy Hobby

April 27, 2024April 22, 2024 by Scott and Kathy Erwin, Sail the World, posted in Travel

Canvas sewing project maybe #15, but I have lost count. The truth of it is I am a hobbyist, plain and simple. Not as much as I am the lover of my natural world, but a close second. To immerse myself in a project and fully drift away in creating something from nothing, is bliss. I am not an artist, and don’t care to follow directions, funny huh? I create!

My projects aren’t perfect but they are mine and I am proud to have made them. I am a life long learner, finding great happiness in the process of a new challenge. This week was all about my canvas project of making a UV paddle board bag, all 11.3 feet of it! The last two covers I bought were wrecked by UV within a few months. A good cruiser friend of mine Chrissy, sold me a bolt of Grey Top Notch fabric, amazing fabric btw, but impossible to get out here in the islands. This challenge had perfect timing, since we had a bit of weather for hunkering down and Scott was down for the count with a bad cough. Sewing for me is quite therapeutic, gives me inner peace and energy at the same time! Now off to see the sunset.

“A Sailors Life”, by Jutta Birfelder

April 6, 2024May 9, 2025 by Scott and Kathy Erwin, Sail the World, posted in adventure, Sailing, Travel

You never know who you will meet out at quiet and remote anchorages. When in Nuka Hiva, Marquesas, one hot and humid day, I got a floaty and a beer and I drifted awhile around the small bay.

I hear a voice with a strong German accent “Kathy Erwin, hello there”. I drift over to a beautiful lady on a beautiful Amel Sailboat. She says you are Kathy on Sea Bella. I did a double take, confused how she knew me.

She introduced herself as Jutta, on SV Alila. She mentioned the cruising app called Noforeignland, and found Sea Bella and Scott and I. We chatted and instantly became friends. For the next 3 months we chatted, shared meals together with Scott and her fun partner Mike, went on hikes, enjoyed the cultural events of Mataava and yes, of course she came to my beach yoga sessions. What gems you meet out here! Plus the other fun people in the video, great new friends!

Turns out, Jutta is a YouTuber, conducting interviews of fellow cruisers all over the world. Next thing I know Scott and I are being interviewed. Take a look, enjoy a different side of our lives… maybe even like her channel.

By the way, I highly recommend the sailing app that I mentioned above to any sailor or future sailor wanting to connect with others, plus many other perks like hikes, locations of great snorkel spots, good shopping, gas and dingy docks… see below.

https://www.noforeignland.com/boat/4847252013056000

Provisioning and Food Planning While Living Afloat.

March 13, 2024November 7, 2024 by Scott and Kathy Erwin, Sail the World, posted in Sailing, Travel

Making my own breads, yogurts, tortillas and muffins have been a fun new way to provide staples for Scott and I. Often breads are not to be found at the small island stores. I wonder, how do they make a sandwiche? Homemade baked goods are fun to bring to cruiser parties or as gifts for the village locals. We keep a sourdough “mother” which was given to me from a cruiser friend in Mexico and has provided us well over 50 or loaves! It’s also difficult to find or store packaged yeasts.

Making my own yogurt has also been key, not only does it reduce my plastic trash, it’s versatile and a good staple ingredient for other recipes. Storing large amounts of yogurt also takes up valuable refrigerator space. All I need for making yogurt is powdered milk, easily found and easily stored, and 1 small thermos (oh, and a thermometer)

Another idea I considered was having a small hydroponic garden for a few favorite herbs and sprouts. Fresh greens were the hardest to find in remote islands. I have dappled in this area, since it’s a major land hobby of mine and I come from a family of gardeners. But, nonetheless, it’s quite difficult on a boat. Why hydroponics? Well, having a plant with dirt doesn’t do well while healing sideways, but water only spills and dries up, no mess at all. Hey, we live on the water. My last batch of basil and rosemary got scorched in the direct sun, so back to the drawing board I go. Currently, I don’t have any plants, unless you count my very tiny cactus.

I have dappled in pickling, jarring and drying foods these last 2 years. But, since the mason jars/lids are difficult to find, I decided on mostly storing cheap canned or frozen veggies instead, I know, yuck! I can hardly complain though.

I had learned about pressure canning and was quite successful, only took me one full day! Since I knew we would spend a year in the French Polynesian islands, where meats are pricey and some hard to find, I started my research. It paid off! We had many delicious home made lasagnes, meatballs and stews during the 6 months spent in the remote Tuamotus Atolls. In Mexico, I had made 14 jars total of pork and beef, but the best was italian sausage.

My biggest answer to storing foods while on a boat: Ziplocks! Bulky storage containers often are not airtight and don’t fit well in small fridges, freezers or lockers. Since ziplock bags are hard to find out in the islands, I bought many and use and reuse them until they are so thin or have a tear. Even then, I tend to use them, double bagged style. I was raised to be thrifty, which now comes in very handy!

Provisioning and prepping foods while living on a boat in remote places is quite a challenge but a fun one that I have embraced. My Mom always said “cook with love” which proved to be great advice. Cooking on a boat is a topic for another time, but shopping, storing, and keeping foods and drinks cold is the tricky topic of the day, especially in remote locations and foreign countries. I feel I have done well so far, but have only experienced Mexico and French Polynesia. Learning to be resourceful and having flexibility in the foods you eat are the main key.

That’s about a wrap for the day, no pun intended!!

California and Texas Visits, (First Scott then Kathy- as someone had to babysit the boat)

January 13, 2024November 7, 2024 by Scott and Kathy Erwin, Sail the World, posted in adventure, Travel

Scott was able to spend a week in Texas and a week and half in California. “Spending a fantastic Thanksgiving day with Family in Texas! Nothing like excellent family, food and wine! Anarchy Wine Co.
(Darn cold here in the states) 😉

Happy Thanksgiving to all those missing Thanksgiving down under in the South Pacific and south of the border!!

California visit for Kathy was so, so special, two relaxing and perfect weeks. “I want to thank my family and friends for taking GREAT care of me and providing healthy land time. A much needed break from the rolly boat, heat and just missing my CA peeps. I did manage to get important check ups, select better sunglasses (and back ups) find essentials like Kirkland nuts and peanut butter, and basically enjoy normal life for awhile. I started in Santa Cruz on Christmas Day with a lovely time with Mom, Roland and my brothers’ family. I was lucky to borrow Mom’s car to drive to Fresno to couch it with my son. My daughter came over and we 3 headed to the Sierra foothills for a few days of R and R. Cooking amazing meals, singing on the Kareoke machine, silly card games, fun dance pad and mostly enjoying a large, flat, non moving home, lol. Some big hugs and a few tears later….”

I was off to San Luis Obispo to visit our rental and hang with great friends! My final 4 days I spent back at Mom’s in Santa Cruz with my Aunt, Uncle, Sister in Law and Dad. Overall, an action packed and special time for all. Soon, I make the 24 hour long journey (only an 8 hour flight over the great Pacific) returning to home on the water in Marquesas and best of all, back to my Hubby Scott.

But then, guess what happened?!.!?

Homeless Day in Tahiti

…and it sucked. I was grumpy. 😦I had hardly any sleep on the red eye, and our new foil board was not at baggage claim! It’s lost!😮Whine, whine, I know it. The nice, but French speaking attendant, insisted I report it right then, so it can hurry on the next the plane. But, it’s now 6am and I miss my connection flight to Nuku Hiva, by just 2 minutes. AAAH! 😱😱😱And still no board. 😡So, I book a new flight for 4:30 am tomorrow, book a close by lodge, and ditch my heavy bags in this sortof hotel (but-check in is at 4pm!) What to do allllll day???? Homeless for a day. I find a bus riding into downtown, mind you it only now 7:00am. 😳Searching for an open coffee shop like a homeless person, on very tired feet and sluggish mind, I sit for a needed Quiche Lorraine. Shoot!My phone doesn’t seem to have data or cellular and has only 35% battery. I tried plugging it in, but the outlets aren’t compatible! 😭NOT MY DAY! I wander from closed shop to closed shop and find the famous Papeete Market, but “closed on Tuesdays”, I mainly just wanted a bathroom. 😤UG. Getting a bit lost without any GPS, I find a park bench, to rest, feeling very homeless by now. I brushed my teeth in the public bathroom, thanking the French for having clean water. It’s 9am. 😖I only have 7 more hours to kill wandering aimlessly. I see a great book store, super right? I can sit and read for a few hours, but, no. Only French books here. 🤪Next stop, find the Air Tahiti office to file a claim. They send me to Air Tahiti Nui, 6 blocks away. Pointing a finger at each other I think. I would call… but no cell. It starts raining buckets, 🙈UG! One of those days! I am soaked within minutes, I hop on a bus to stay dry, head east, no clue where to. 😩I am kind of familiar with this city, thankfully. I explored around a favorite grocery store, bought some tops, and ate some yogurt and bananas. I managed to get my phone back running, after 45 minutes with TMobile. 😳I do have the time though, tons of time! I continued walking aimless about. (It’s, only noon) I will end this lengthy drama with a positive…you know me. I bought Scott some onions and potatoes, put them in my purse. Our anchorage town in Nuka Hiva is all out. (more heavy items for my carry on) grump, grump, grump 😁

(The next day)

When I go to check in at 4:00 am, the lost baggage office is open and there is our new Foil Board!

Community Outreach in Taiohae Bay.

January 3, 2024July 6, 2024 by Scott and Kathy Erwin, Sail the World, posted in adventure, Sailing, Travel

December 2023, a few cruiser friends and I (Emma on SV Margot and Joanne from SV Fundango) thought up a special way to give back to the little town we all are staying in for a few months. Taiohae Bay is in Nuku Hiva, in the Marquesas Archipelago of French Polynesia. I counted 150 sailboats all anchored in the bay, most are staying for the month to see the Festival Traditions of Matavaa. See my other posts. Since we are all just guests of their bay, I thought it would be a caring idea to “give back”, especially since the locals have graciously hosted us all and included us in all the their dances and singing events of the festival.

https://youtu.be/ZDv2FzqNui8?si=MIxwGQmbN6iqfsy4

We went to the local Tourism office and inquired about the local elementary schools. We shared our idea of bringing each child of the town a wrapped treat, goodie, or cookie. We were shown gratitude and a sense of appreciation.

There was a bit of red tape and logistics, with one school being Catholic, but with perseverance and organization the plans began working out well. Once we were approved, we made plans to go to 2 elementary schools, all 40 of us, and hand deliver treats to 320 youngsters, their teachers, food service helpers, principals, the mayor and even a few parents.

A few days beforehand, the three of us zipped around the bay all day asking local cruisers to participate in this “giving back”. Most of them loved the idea and wanted to join us and wanted to go to town to hand out treats.

So, the date was set for the last day of school. We gathered at the dingy dock, discussed some logistics (in French and English) and went walking into the town with goodie bags in tote. This was a fun activity for us and an important little treat for the town. The children were so surprised. They haven’t seen so many Caucasian faces ever probably. They treats were a hit. Our photo and story was even posted in the local news.

Taiohae Bay, Isle Les Marqueses, French Polynesia

December 1, 2023December 13, 2023 by Scott and Kathy Erwin, Sail the World, posted in adventure, Travel

Well, you ask if I’m lonely here in Nuku Hiva? Scott’s been gone 2 weeks and ….I miss him. But, I am never lonely or bored. With so much to do on and off the boat, and with so many past friends, new friends and friends yet to be made, I rarely have time to realize the quiet. (Maybe a bit weird to have all 44 feet of Sea Bella to myself, haha.) I go on hikes everyday, pet the random horses, study for my Yoga Certification, shop for yummy fruit, learn the local history, play chess online, do some sewing projects, and the best part: visit friends. I look forward for Scotts return next week, to share in all this island goodness. He will be here for the big Marquesan festival, Matavaa. And, yes, it will then be my turn to travel to California next month, to see my kids, family and friends, I am so excited about that.