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In
addition to all the great meals that Tracey and Nikki fed
us, they
also plied us twice a day with tea and coffee and always
some 'goodies'
to boot. Well done Ladies.
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really like this picture. Ulrich on bow watch. |
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| My
watch from the first leg to Tonga- 'Real sailors - trained
by Eric!!' |
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Wet
and rough seas out of New Zealand (it was June).
I only took a couple of pictures between Auckland and the
Kermadecs - I wonder why!!! |
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Miles
has the Captain and Paddy captured. Greg is ignoring it
all and
keeping us on course!!
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Kate
& Mark enjoying some calm weather. |
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My
especial memories:
At the helm at 0200 under sail between the Kermadecs and
Tonga. Could there ever be anything to match that feeling?
To be a part of a team coming together in a 4 on and 8 off
watch situation under some stress - rough seas. And this
team had some Brits, some Aussies, some Yanks, and even
a nice young man from Guernsey - all whom had never seen
each other until they got on the Soren Larsen. As good an
experience in building human relationships as I have experienced
in almost 40 years of doing similar things. And how much
of this is brought about by our Captain and his extraordinary
crew.
To be exhilarated by being in a very dark cave cut by eons
of wave motion while Daphne, our purser, played beautiful
music on her flute.
To experience the incredible variety and mix of people that
go on these kinds of adventures. This is not your cruise
ship to the Caribbean!!!
And, last but not least, to finally get to the T'Gallant
and help furl the sails. All I can say is "WOW, and
I want to do it again!!!"
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Who
is this new member of the voyage crew?? - Alex is alive!
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I
though I was pretty adventurous to be out doing this stuff
at age 64.
But then Ernie blew me away by telling me he was 80. 80 years
YOUNG.
Very Well Done Ernie!!!!! |
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A
rocky boat landing at the Kermadec islands. Can you really
believe we did this!!!
A great big WELL DONE to Eric and the crew.
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Eric
said JUMP and Adrian did!! |
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I
think we were all glad to get on shore. But my legs were such
that I
still thought I was on the ship.
The gals are part of the permanent party on Raoul. I think
the one in
the center was Mary who was the leader of the group.
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At
the Dept of Conservation house. What a nice spread they put
out for us |
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Sunny
sailing after into Tonga .
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Did
we have a good looking voyage crew or not!!!!! |
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Sue
in the morning at Neiafu - before the dancing and drinking
started!! |
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This
is on 'Euakafa where the Ancient Tomb is where the Chief killed
his
wife because she was unfaithful. Even though it ws the Big
Tree's fault. We couldn't find the tomb but did find these
strange symbols in the rocks along the beach.
We also found the "shipwrecked" couple from London
and Munich who had run out of water and food and were living
on coconuts. Luckily their fishing boat picked them up that
afternoon. |
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We
finally went south to the Ha'apai Group and this is off Uoleva.
Nikki and Chris are getting the kebabs fixed for the beach
barbecue.
Phil fixed a great fire and Tracey and Nikki did a fantastic
job of
cooking on a hunk of metal. Well done to all. It was a real
"blast on
the beach". |
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Beach cricket at Ololeva. I'm the bats man and Mandy and Bruce
are behind the wicket (this is showing my ignorance of the
game). |
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| Daphne
said we had to have a song before we got underway!!! |
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I
think to Mariners Cave, since I passed that one. |
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This
is also at 'Euakafa. I stayed on board in the afternoon and
finally
made it to the TopGallant.
This picture should go in the travel brochures. Is this beautiful
or
what!!! |
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I
think the look on Sharon's face shows the enchantment we all
felt hearing Daphne play this beautiful music while we were
in Swallows Cave.
A real Highlight!! |
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Get
that anchor down - So we can get to the beach.
If my log is right - and it might not be - this should be
Nuku in Vavau. |
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At
the feast in Pangaimotu.
I think Joe may have had the little pig that I think got named
after Kent!! |
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THIS
IS MY SOREN LARSEN EXPERIENCE.
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Bob
(left) seen here drinking beer at a little bar next to the
Dateline Hotel in
Nuku'alofa. Deb is next to me and Sharon and Stephen are
next to her.
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I
have only two disappointments from my Soren Larsen experience:
1 - I didn't get to meet Fleur and tell her thanks for all
her help.
2 - I didn't get to say a proper farewell to Tony - it was
rushed when we got off the ship. He is one of the finest
men I have ever met and certainly one of the best leaders
of people. Please give him my best.
My
best also to all of you in Auckland.
To
my fellow shipmates - Good Sailing and stay in touch.
Bob.
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