HEAVEN ON EARTH

September 20, 2020;7:17 PM16◦ 43’.806 S ; 179◦ 44’ W Taveuni, Fiji This is Anne. You know me as the Admiral.  I love Kristen’s blogs because she so eloquently describes the experiences and feelings of all of us on Amazing Grace. But today I just have to tell you about a place that feels like

SOMEWHERE, OVER THE RAINBOW (REEF)

September 14, 2020 ; 3:23 PM16°75’S, 179°90’E – Vanua Levu, Fiji Rainbow Reef is probably the most world-renowned dive spot in Fiji, featuring the famous Great White Wall. So naturally, not 24 hours after we dropped the hook, we were keen to be on the reef. The Great White Wall was unlike anything I’ve ever

DARLING, IT’S BETTER, DOWN WHERE IT’S WETTER

September 11, 2020 ; 9:20 PM17°31’S, 178°17’E – Volivoli, Fiji OKAY WE HAD THE MOST MAGICAL COUPLE DAYS OF SEA CREATURE INTERACTIONS. Don’t believe me? I have about a million videos. RACING DOLPHINSDolphins love to race at the bow of Gracie Girl (and any boat) on a day with the right conditions. Although we’ve seen

SEGA NA LEQA- IT MEANS “NO WORRIES”

I know you have all become accustomed to the high-quality blog posts from Kristen, our first mate, but she stayed with the boat to snorkel, kayak and relax without parents (hmm?) during our adventure to Turtle Island Resort.  So, you’re stuck with me. Admiral Anne and I enjoyed a two-day respite away from the part

SEVUSEVU SAVVY

September 7, 2020 ; 4:50 PM16°97’S, 177°37’E – Turtle Island, Fiji As you can tell, the wildlife and landscapes of the South Pacific are jaw dropping. But our lengthened time to explore (thanks, COVID!) wouldn’t be the same if we didn’t also get to immerse ourselves in cultures that are so different from our own.

WILSON!!!!

September 2, 2020 ; 11:13 AM17°46’S, 177°04’E – Navadra, Fiji Monuriki (not to be confused with Castaway Island) is beautiful and diverse- although it’s only about 100 acres large. Monuriki is where most of the extremely slow but occasionally hilarious Tom Hanks movie was filmed- but Castaway Island has a resort of the same name.

BITTER ENDERS

August 31, 2020 ; 6:14 PM17°61’S, 177°04’E – Monuriki, Fiji After 2 days in the quarantine anchorage and the rest of a week in the marina, we’re finally out sailing/exploring Fiji. Don’t get me wrong, a few days at a marina after a passage like that were AWESOME. Port Denarau has brand new facilities with

BULA BULA, FIJI

August 21, 2020 ; 1:44 PM17°75’S, 177°37’E – Nadi Bay, Fiji 1,950 miles later, we are finally anchored off the coast off the coast of Denarau Island, Fiji. It’s a beautiful, sunny day and it feels oh so good to be floating still after a rough passage. The sail started off beautifully. We had 6

FRENCH POLYNESIA FAREWELL TOUR

August 5, 2020 ; 7:14 AM17°54’S, 149°56’W – Papeete Marina, Tahiti Total honesty: Papeete Marina wreaks of failed plans to sail around the world. If our visa agent hadn’t specifically forbidden us from checking out of another island, we would have avoided coming back here at all cost. It’s a lot easier to move forward

I SPEAK WHALE

July 30, 2020 ; 4:32 PM17°54’S, 149°56’W – Papeete Marina, Tahiti Our last morning in Raiatea was spent on a wonderful dive. Just outside the reef, there’s a gorgeous coral shelf that is bustling with fish. It reminded me of the dive we did in the north pass of Fakarava. The big difference was that