Thank you for the kind words, Jeff,and your visit to Delfin.* It's always great to match a face to a respected name.
If we're able to successfully retire within the next couple of years as planned, a circumnavigation of the Pacific via Patagonia is the plan, or at least mine.* The Admiral would prefer a direct route to Oz via the Marquesas, but if I fail to convince otherwise, I'll make do.* We carry enough fuel to depart Costa Rica, passing by and hopefully stopping at the Galapagos (permits permitting) and make it to Tahiti via the Marquesas.* You are allowed to refuel in Tahiti without taxes on exit.* If we get to Tahiti via Patagonia, we'll be refueling in Punta Arenas.* From Tahiti/Samoa/Fiji/Tonga we'd be circumnavigating NZ before continuing through the Bight of Oz to Perth.* We lived in Oz for awhile, and travelled a bit in all states except the Northern Territories, which we would like very much to visit, so we'd be heading north and around to Sydney via the Gulf of Carpentaria.* From there, Lord Howe, New Caledonia, the Solomons, Chuk, Tinian, then Japan.* From Japan, it may be north to the Aleutians, then south to Hawaii and home, or more probably direct to Hawaii from Japan.* We sailed to Hawaii a few years ago and really look forward to going back there on a boat.* No achorages to speak of, but paradise nonetheless.* Around 35,000 miles (42,000 via Chile), 16,000 gallons of fuel (20,000 via Chile), three to four years.* Emergency flights home for a grandma fix as circumstances dictate, and if possible impressing a grand-kid at a time (there are five) for a six month 'see a part of the world' life experience.* And to wash the boat.
Now that I've gone on record, God's grace willling, I guess we have to do it.....
In the meantime, we have been trying to get to the Charlottes, and hopefully can pull that off this summer if I get a month free.
-- Edited by Delfin on Tuesday 18th of January 2011 08:50:26 PM