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The year of 2009 has been picked to leave the South
Pacific - mainly because as we travel west there are only two more
island groups: Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands before coming into
Southeast Asia. I decided that this photo (taken by Scott's cousin,
Bobby) would say something about our plans. We plan to be traveling
through some of the best diving spots in the world and because of this I
had to get my dive certification. And what better place than
Hawaii. I got the best instruction ever at
Maui Sundivers!
I was certified in three dives and in three more dives we got these
wonderful photos! Check it out, and if you don't have your certification
this is the easiest, fastest and most fun way to do it! It's all
individual instruction by Bobby Baker - a man with probably more than 3
decades of diving experience -
Our ocean voyage for 2009 - 2010 took us from New
Zealand to Hong Kong (visiting many islands in between). This was a trip
of almost 10,000 nm. We had a wonderful trip, stopping at as many
islands as time would allow. We could have spent several years in these
beautiful places, but time does go on for us and we need to move west if
we're ever going to get to Thailand and Europe before we quit this
nonsense. We visited our last Pacific Atoll named Ngulu (south of Yap).
As you might notice we haven't included all our details. You must invite
us to sit down and talk and then everything comes out!!!
We flew to New Zealand and found Quest. We've done a lot
of work on her this past year - especially since our electronics failed
on our trip to Lord Howe Island last June. Here's a photo of Scott
finishing us a few things on the mast.
 (OOPS, the photo's from Fiji - Oh well, he goes up there
often to get things right).
When we got to Fiji we first visited old friends. Can
you resist these smiles? From Ono.
In the Astrolabe Reef.
 Perhaps
more than anything else, our experiences during the festivals in
Southwest Bay on the island of Malakula stand out in our mind. These
were unique dancing performances the like of which I have never seen.
This man at the right depicts the dancers and the time we spent in
Southwest Bay, Vanuatu.
 We
loved the Solomon Islands. Their reputation is that of a country torn by
civil strife. Because of this and because we really didn't have oodles
of time this year (wanting to cross the equator in October and end up in
Hong Kong!) we decided to sail directly from Luganville on Espiritu
Santo to Gizo, in the western province of the Solomons. We met so many
wonderful people I don't know where to start. Perhaps I can give you one
image that tells part of the story. Do you love this photo of the
children of Viro Harbor (left)?
 Again,
Is there one photo that represents Micronesia? Perhaps a photo of Nan
Madol will be the one. Very few people know about this spectacular
archeological site. It dates around 1400 is built of basalt (rock) logs
and covers up to 100 islands. It's truly amazing. Each of the islands is
surrounded by water (it's called the Venice of the Pacific by some).
 There
is definitely ONE photo that reminds me of Palau, and it's a shot of the
gorgeous rock islands and the enchanting blue-green water. THIS IS
PALAU! Our only regret is that we were unable to spend more time in this
beautiful island nation.
 The
Philippines is both the past and the future. We saw water buffalo that
were tilling the rice paddies in the same manner as was used a thousand
years ago. AND we saw the hustle and bustle of cities moving into the
21st century: cell phones, texting, people moving on their tricycles as
folks that have places to go and people to meet!
 In
spite of the fact that we sailed into Hong Kong in January of 2010, Hong
Kong was the terminus of our 2009 trip from New Zealand. So, I take the
liberty of placing Hong Kong in our travels of 2009. What a culmination
that was. Our shot of finding and entering Hebe Harbor shows the
sprawling megalopolis over the hill from the harbor. Here we are in the
mists of January 17th, 2010 entering the Hong Kong area. |
