I’m anchored off of Namotu Island. It’s five acres of sand in the shape of an avocado with bures (wood and straw huts) and boats and surfboards and baby turtles. The bottle blue surf of Swimming Pools breaks all over it. It’s a surfer’s slice of paradise. There are waves but I’m too weak to …
The Land Of Relentless Sun
The morning of our sleepless night we jumped into the water to have a tea party. It didn’t last long because only one turtle accepted our invitation and he was too young to have an in-depth conversation with. The turtle asked me, “What do you see when you look at me?” We we’re sipping sand …
The Sea Saved Me From Myself
Without the sea, I'm a total mess. Eight years ago I made this Caribbean-style dress. It's forest green with fringe and neon beads. At the time, I was living on a 26 ft. sailboat in Jamaica Bay. The boat didn't belong to me. I don't even remember her name. I will call her No Name. …
SAILING IN A SEA OF QUICKSAND
I had been warned, but nothing could have truly prepared me for the sail from Kaua'i back to O'ahu The day after the forest, Sam and I snorkeled, climbed palm trees that grew sideways, and watched an endangered monk seal beach itself. Have you ever seen a wrasse? That species of fish is hard to …
Sailing to Kaua’i with a Stranger
I was itching to sail away from Waikiki. So when all of the boat work was completed, I decided to sail over to Hanalei Bay in Kaua’i. Sailing between the Hawaiian islands can be hellacious. These islands are in the middle of the ocean and the water around them has that middle of nothing strength …
I Want Off Of This Boat
Today I have been in squall after squall of the most severe kind that I have seen. I can no longer fight The Grey Cloud Carriers. They are winning and have stolen all but the breath from my body. I am 70 nm away from shore and I won’t make it before dark. I got …
West Butterfy
I haven’t consumed anything but the fallen grapes, an orange, water, and a protein bar since setting sail yesterday. I don’t feel hunger or exhaustion or seasickness, I feel every nerve in my body. And they are all screaming “what the hell are you doing out here?” The feeling reminds me of first time I …
Sailing Solo in Search of an Endless Sunrise
At the beginning of August, I am sailing solo across the Pacific Ocean from San Diego to Hawaii. It is one of the longest ocean passages in the world, with nothing but a wilderness of waves between the land. The Pacific was named by the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan and it means "peaceful," which makes …
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