Tall Ship Soren Larsen Sailing adventure for all ages

Tall Ship Soren Larsen ~ South Pacific Sail Training Adventure for all ages

Karen's Lost Voyage of the Soren Larsen
Auckland to Bay of Islands

Canadian Voyage Crew, Karen Gustafson joined the ship on the New Zealand coast for a 5 night voyages through the Hauraki Gulf and Bay of Islands. Her words and pictures recall her fateful first voyage...

Shall I start by saying that I before Jan.19, I thought that I would like sailing............... After Jan.19th I know that without a doubt ........I LOVE SAILING. Thank you to all involved with the Soren Larsen for providing me with the vacation of a lifetime! I feel lucky to be blessed with a full sailing experience. As we were setting sail to ride thru a storm one day the ship and crew came alive. It was a beautiful sight, the fire in their eyes and the glow on the faces of the crew told me that this was what sailing is all about. I stayed up at the bow having the time of my life, with waves crashing over me. I think that most everyone thought that I was insane. I don't know if they heard me yell out " it's great to be alive!". Absolutely awesome! I loved every second.			Whangaroa anchorage.
Hauraki Gulf 01.	Hauraki Gulf 02	Auckland Jan	Coast sunset.
That night we kept sailing with a good wind behind us. The rain had long stopped, the winds had died down and the stars came out to light our way. The Milky Way was spectacular as we sailed into the night. Just as I took over my watch I saw a meteor streak across the horizon and the falling stars became too numerous to count. With sails full we steadily sped through the water past the "Poor Knights" and beyond, heading farther North than this crew had ever been. The bonus to having a good wind at you back.			sarah and jason on helm.
Roberton island01	Roberton Island 2.	Poor Knights	at sunset
Wangaruru Harbour			the hike above the anchorage
.	the river jaunt	salmon eating sheep
We saw some spectacular sights and sunsets. One day a pod of Dolphins along with Pilot Whales graced our presence for about 15 min. just long enough for all of us to grab our cameras and start snapping pictures. I saw a few dolphins leap straight out of the water (never just as I snapped the camera though) they were everywhere around us, dancing with our ship, what a beautiful sight! I was lucky enough to get one picture which shows the Pilot Whales.
standby to tack	pilot whales on the stb bow, stb bow..		Poor Knights
I cherish my memories of my first sailing experience and know that one day I will find the Soren Larsen again and sail with her on a new adventure. Till then I will log on to the website and live the life of a sailor thru the log entry's, and keep dreaming of the day when I can make it back.		Jim with his boat project	at Roberton island
Aaaarrrrhhhhh maties, you'll not be rid of me............ (in fact Karen returned for the Fiji - Vanuatu trip)


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