Fahiti ho!

. "Drink it up, this one's for you.  It's been a lovely cruise."  Jimmy Buffet, 'Lovely Cruise' It's the last night on the boat.  Fittingly, I have to finish the bottle of gin.  <Done>  And to my surprise, this little packet had escaped my ravenous maw for the past few weeks.  Not tonight. And the sunset was appropriately beautiful.   Let's hear it one more time, Jimmy... Drink it up, this one's for you It's been a lovely cruise I'm sorry it's ending, oh it's sad, but it's true Honey, it's been a lovely cruise These moments we're left with May you always remember These moments are shared by few There's wind in our hair and there's water in our shoes Honey, it's been a lovely cruise - 30 -

 Things I'll bring next time: 1.  A waterproof bag.  I don't know what they call 'em, but all the seasoned cruisers had one.  You put your cell phone, wallet, sunglasses, everything that can't get wet into it and seal it.  If you fall in, it floats.  If it rains, you don't worry.  Looks dorky but there is clearly a need. 2.  Magnifying glass.  Or the flip-down magnifiers I have in my shop.  I don't know who passed the law that states all useful product information must be printed in vanishingly small type in non-contrasting colors, but if I ever find them...  (Note the use of gender-neutral pronoun...) 3.  Redundant items:  microSD cards, phone, USB charging cables,  sunglasses. Things I don't need to bring: In the spirit of full disclosure, I almost made this section a whole post.  Was going to title it "You can get anything you want..."  Arlo Guthrie, Alice's Restaurant, for you Gen Xers. I laugh looking b...

 ...thinkin' 'bout last night.  (Traveling Wilburys, anyone?) Yeah, decided to forgo the bar tonight to minimize the chances of starting an international incident like I almost did last night...thinkin'  'bout last night... I'm the only anglo at the bar.  There were two other patrons, both well on their way.  We yelled pleasantries across the bar, I laughed at their jokes that I couldn't understand.  They got that I was from the US.  Then Paul, the really drunk one, decided I needed another beer.  Now.  Mine was only half gone and I tried to say no, but noooooooo.  The poor barmaid gave me the look as she put the bottle in front of me, unopened.  "Let me know when you want one and I'll get you  a cold one."   More pleasantries that I couldn't understand.  Then Paul decides I need yet another beer.  "Put it on my tab!"  The barmaid rolled her eyes and set a second unopened beer in front of me.   Meanwhil...

  Stuff I found essential: USB cables.    Holy wah!    I brought a charging cable for every device I brought.    I used 'em all.    The most useful was the 6' Lightning cable for my iPad.    I had a four foot one too, but the six footer allowed me to have the iPad at the helm with a connection into the cabin.    So of course the six footer bought the farm one day into the trip down to Vuda Marina.    I almost turned back, thinking if the other one went, I would be totally without navigational aids once the batteries went dead.    Luckily Tim had an extra and gave it to me.    And the rest, as they say, is history. Sunglasses.    Despite the outer protective layer peeling away, my Toreges were always on my head.    Good polarized sunglasses are a must down here to see the reefs and bommies. iPhone.    Backup navigation, cellular link to the world.    Next...

 Hey, I'll bet that post title got your attention, right?  I was about to close up shop here, typing in the cockpit of a sailboat in Fiji when I got the inspiration to compare and contrast the two environs, both of which I now have some experience with.   So I'm sitting in the cockpit (did I mention this already?) watching the sunset.  Palm trees are literally swaying in the breeze, silhouetted against the purple sky.  There's a cloud bank closing in from the northwest - probably means a light shower later.  But here's the thing - I'm sitting here shirtless and there are no bugs.  None.  Temperatures are very pleasant and will be all night - the daytime/nighttime temp differential in Fiji is maybe a few degrees.   Isle Royale has its charms and unique features.  But you do have to cover up often because of the bugs, and it does get cold at night.  We use sleeping bags each trip.   On Isle Royale you can have a campfire.  T...

 ..nothing but blue skies do I see. It finally happened.  We said a heartfelt FU to Cyclones Judy and Kevin and after a few days of coattail atmospheric disturbances, the weather is great for sailing!  Except I'm not going anywhere.  Not enough time between now and the day I fly out (Saturday -  this Friday for you Norte Americanos).  I haven't been idle though... "Come see me.  We're not busy.  I'll give you a tour of our facility."  So said my new friend who works at the Fiji Civil Aviation Authority.  Cool.  I'll swing by on Wednesday (today).  So I cabbed into Nadi where I met Peter, conveniently buying chai tea from the food truck in the parking lot.  We sat through his break drinking tea and swapping stories.  He really enjoyed my tales of Captain Bill in Panama.  He's looking to buy a sailboat and be a cruiser.  I suggested gently that he should probably not spring for the 50 foot behemoth that he was...

 ...and I have to board my boat  The guys in the guard shack adjacent to my spot are looking at me and wondering if they'll have to perform a sea rescue.  Undeterred, I manage to hook a foot over the gunwale and grab the roller furling with one hand.  I'm not a good judge of distance, but as can clearly be seen from the attached photo this was a stretch of at least six feet.  Maybe seven.  I hate high tide. But I made it.  The guys in the guard shack hollered at me.  "How old are you?"  "Seventy," I replied honestly.  "You're strong!" they hollered back.  I didn't mention the fact that I was coming back from Margarita Monday after two helpings of Vuda Marine's finest.  And strongest.   So yeah, I'm sitting here in complete dismay.  I had my hopes set on an evening with 'Exile on Main Street' which is not only one of my favorite albums but possibly THE best album of all time, thank you very much.  I was already hu...