“If you find yourself having to tiptoe around others, you’re not walking amongst your tribe.” -Tanya Markul
“If you find yourself having to tiptoe around others, you’re not walking amongst your tribe.” -Tanya Markul
Getting hauled out and having your boat worked on is always stressful. Since we have no land-based living accommodations in the area, we continue to “live” on the boat while it sits on stands in the boatyard. That means we can’t spill any water overboard, black (most certainly!) or even grey. We do have holding tanks for both kinds, but they are not so large that they can be used for much more than a week of “normal” use. Consequently, we try to put nothing in the holding tanks. That means no cooking beyond boiling water and using on shore toilet & shower facilities.
Boatyards are usually dusty because of the sanding and grinding, either on your boat or other boats in the yard. There can be lots of foot traffic from the coming and going of the workers doing the work. Each new foot brings a little more dust on board.
On our work list for the folks at the Port Townsend Shipwrights Coop (PTSC) were routine maintenance items (e.g., bottom paint, new sacrificial anodes), repairing failed/failing items (e.g., the anchor windlass), and upgrading components. We spent 11 days out of the water, being hauled out on Monday, 8/19 and launching on Thursday, 8/29. We spent the night after launching in Port Townsend before departing on Friday, 8/30.
The last several years we have spent 1 – 2 weeks at the end of our cruising season in the San Juans. While it is still crowded compared to SE Alaska, September, after Labor Day, isn’t quite as crowded as in July and August. Setting realistic expectations is the key. If you expect to share the anchorage with 40 other boats, you shouldn’t be upset if it turns to be true. And if there are only 35 boats, you’re ahead of the game.
The nice thing about San Juan Islands is how compact they are. Twenty-five miles is probably the furthest you’d have to travel to get from any two anchorages on any of the islands. With good shore access at the many parks, it encourages a slow pace. As a result, Drake gets frequent walks and ball play when we visit. This year we stopped at Reid Harbor (Stuart Island), Garrison Bay (San Juan Islalnd), Griffin Bay (San Juan Island), Deer Harbor (Orcas Island), Fisherman’s Bay (Lopez Island) and, Echo Bay (Sucia Island). We used Hunter Bay (Lopez Island) as our last stop before crossing the Strait of Juan de Fuca and slogging down Admiralty Inlet on the way to our home port in Eagle Harbor on Bainbridge Island.
We arrived Eagle Harbor in the early afternoon on Sunday, September 15. In total, we were gone 135 days but I am going to attribute13 days as time in the boatyard and not count them. Of the 121 nights out on the cruise, 73 were at anchor while 48 days were on docks. We put on 3,091 miles in 503 cruising hours (we had an additional 27 engine hours trolling or idling while fishing (mostly deploying or retrieving prawn pots).
Getting hauled out and having your boat worked on is always stressful. Since we have no land-based living accommodations in the area, we continue to “live” on the boat while it sits on stands in the boatyard. That means we can’t spill any water overboard, black (most certainly!) or even grey. We do have holding tanks for both kinds, but they are not so large that they can be used for much more than a week of “normal” use. Consequently, we try to put nothing in the holding tanks. That means no cooking beyond boiling water and using on shore toilet & shower facilities.
Boatyards are usually dusty because of the sanding and grinding, either on your boat or other boats in the yard. There can be lots of foot traffic from the coming and going of the workers doing the work. Each new foot brings a little more dust on board.
On our work list for the folks at the Port Townsend Shipwrights Coop (PTSC) were routine maintenance items (e.g., bottom paint, new sacrificial anodes), repairing failed/failing items (e.g., the anchor windlass), and upgrading components. We spent 11 days out of the water, being hauled out on Monday, 8/19 and launching on Thursday, 8/29. We spent the night after launching in Port Townsend before departing on Friday, 8/30.
The last several years we have spent 1 – 2 weeks at the end of our cruising season in the San Juans. While it is still crowded compared to SE Alaska, September, after Labor Day, isn’t quite as crowded as in July and August. Setting realistic expectations is the key. If you expect to share the anchorage with 40 other boats, you shouldn’t be upset if it turns to be true. And if there are only 35 boats, you’re ahead of the game.
The nice thing about San Juan Islands is how compact they are. Twenty-five miles is probably the furthest you’d have to travel to get from any two anchorages on any of the islands. With good shore access at the many parks, it encourages a slow pace. As a result, Drake gets frequent walks and ball play when we visit. This year we stopped at Reid Harbor (Stuart Island), Garrison Bay (San Juan Islalnd), Griffin Bay (San Juan Island), Deer Harbor (Orcas Island), Fisherman’s Bay (Lopez Island) and, Echo Bay (Sucia Island). We used Hunter Bay (Lopez Island) as our last stop before crossing the Strait of Juan de Fuca and slogging down Admiralty Inlet on the way to our home port in Eagle Harbor on Bainbridge Island.
We arrived Eagle Harbor in the early afternoon on Sunday, September 15. In total, we were gone 135 days but I am going to attribute13 days as time in the boatyard and not count them. Of the 121 nights out on the cruise, 73 were at anchor while 48 days were on docks. We put on 3,091 miles in 503 cruising hours (we had an additional 27 engine hours trolling or idling while fishing (mostly deploying or retrieving prawn pots).
September 14, 15 2024 At Sea between Pohnpei and Bakawari, Papua New Guinea
Departing Pohnpei about 1930, Seabourn Pursuit continued south overnight. The wind and swell were on the beam, with the seas about 10 feet at 9 second period, so the ship had moderate roll motions. This wave height is typical for the Pacific Ocean, which has an average wave height of 3 meters.
The sunrise was spectacular once again and we had no rain all day. At 1400 we held the Equator crossing ceremony and my sister, Julie, being a Polliwog, was inducted during the ceremony into being a Shellback, so we now had permission from King Neptune to cross the equator with no Polliwogs on board.
Lectures today included one on Seabirds and another on mangrove swamps.
September 15, 2024 – At Sea
September 16, 2024
The Seabourn Pursuit took up position off Bakawari Island, Papua New Guinea at 0600.
Bakawari Island lies next to Bougainville Island Papau New Guinea |
The ship was cleared by the local authorities about 0700 and Patrick headed off for a Kayak excursion. At 0830, other guests were shuttled ashore in color groups and were treated to a folkloric performance by three local groups on Bakawari Island. The kayak tour finished just in time to be delivered to the beach for the performance.
Dancing at Bakawari Island |
Some of the bamboo flutes used by the performers |
Native canoes fishing |
Native Canoe |
By 1200, all guests were back on board and Seabourn Pursuit headed for Honiara, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, our next destination. Our route takes the ship down the “Slot”, through Bougainville Straits and past Savo Island before docking at Honiara.
The area we are transiting is larger than we expected. The distance from Bakawari Island to Honiara, Guadalcanal is 335 NM. To make that distance overnight means Seabourn Pursuit has to average more than 15 knots. Fortunately the seas and wind are favorable.
One of the reasons for making this cruise is the opportunity to visit locations in which my father served while in the USN in WWII.
This morning, with calm seas and sunny skies, we are approaching Savo Island and will pass by the final resting place of the USS Astoria, which sank following a fierce night battle just off Savo Island, only two days after the USMC landed at Red Beach on Guadalcanal. The night of August 9, 1942, a night attack by the Japanese navy caught the allies off guard. Four heavy cruisers were sunk, three US and one Australian. Three cruisers were sunk in just a few minutes between 0230 and 0300. The USS Astoria did not sink immediately, but was badly damaged. The crew initially abandoned ship, but later 350 crew returned to try and save the ship. My father was one of those who returned to the ship. He told us about jumping off the bow initially, and returning to collect the bodies of those killed and preparing them for burial by sewing the corpses into hammocks while eating stewed tomatoes since the galleys were unusable and on fire. Initially we were skeptical of some aspects of that story, but when we saw the same story in other eyewitness accounts, we were convinced he had survived a horrific experience.
However, the crews’ efforts were in vain, as underwater explosions in the bow area fatally damaged USS Astoria (my father was aft at that time). The ship was abandoned once again and at 1215 that day, August 9, 1942 the USS Astoria listed 30 degrees, then capsized and sank stern first in 2800 feet of water about 2 miles from Savo Island. More than 247 sailors perished and another 250 were wounded. It was the worst defeat at sea for the US Navy, excluding Pearl Harbor. The USS Astoria was rediscovered by Paul Allen in 2015, in 2800 feet of water, with the bow missing.
The bridge display as we were at closest point to Astoria |
Last known phot of Astoria, one day before sinking |
Photo of Astoria remains by Paul Allen |
Savo Island |
We wer fortunate to be on the bridge of Seabourn Pursuit when we passed just 2.85 nm from the location of the USS Astoria. We observed several minutes of silence in memory of the hundreds of navy personnel who died in that action on both the Astoria and the other three ships.
My father was then reassigned to the destroyer USS Blue. That ship was torpedoed on August 22, 1942 and scuttled on August 23, 1942, after unsuccessful attempts to save her. My father also survived that sinking.
USS Blue – DD-387 |
The area between Savo Island and Guadalcanal has been named Iron Bottom Sound, since more than 50 allied and Japanese ships were sunk in the 7 month Guadalcanal campaign. Iron Bottom Sound is considered a sacred place due to all the people who perished and whose remains went to the bottom. Guadalcanal and the Solomon Islands campaigns marked the beginning of the successful, but bloody island hopping strategy which the Allies used to eventually defeat Japan.
The Battle of Savo Island was also a turning point for the US and it’s allies in that the Japanese failed to destroy the troop transports and supply ships lying off of Red Beach, just a few miles from the Savo Island battle, instead withdrawing after destroying the four heavy cruisers. The pattern of tactical victory but strategic mistake would persist throughout the war.
Seabourn Pursuit docked at the container port in Honiara, Guadalcanal at 1100, and by 1140 we were on a bus tour of the Eastern Battlefields of the Guadalcanal campaign.
Honiara is the capital of the Solomon Islands, a sprawling independent nation with more than 95 major islands and a total population of more than 700,000. Honiara has a population of about 65,000. This island nation is being impacted by climate change, with sea levels rising 8 mm per year, more than the average worldwide. The evidence of WWII is still present, with significant amounts of unexploded munitions still being discovered 82 years later.
The first tour stop was at Red Beach, where the USMC landed on August 7, 1942, with little opposition. That was soon to change as the USMC took control of Henderson field (our second stop) and set up defensive perimeters, including one at “Bloody Ridge”, our third stop of the tour. We finished the tour with visits to the Japanese War Memorial and the the US War Memorial. The Guadalcanal took seven months to achieve victory, with more than 7,000 Allied deaths and more than 19,000 Japanese deaths.
Monument at Red Beach |
Red Beach |
Memorial Park at Henderson Field |
View from Bloody Ridge |
Monument at Bloody Ridge |
Japanese War Memorial |
View of Savo Island from US Memorial |
Battle of Savo Island at Memorial |
List of US Ships sunk at Guadalcanal |
September 14, 15 2024 At Sea between Pohnpei and Bakawari, Papua New Guinea
Departing Pohnpei about 1930, Seabourn Pursuit continued south overnight. The wind and swell were on the beam, with the seas about 10 feet at 9 second period, so the ship had moderate roll motions. This wave height is typical for the Pacific Ocean, which has an average wave height of 3 meters.
The sunrise was spectacular once again and we had no rain all day. At 1400 we held the Equator crossing ceremony and my sister, Julie, being a Polliwog, was inducted during the ceremony into being a Shellback, so we now had permission from King Neptune to cross the equator with no Polliwogs on board.
Lectures today included one on Seabirds and another on mangrove swamps.
September 15, 2024 – At Sea
September 16, 2024
The Seabourn Pursuit took up position off Bakawari Island, Papua New Guinea at 0600.
Bakawari Island lies next to Bougainville Island Papau New Guinea |
The ship was cleared by the local authorities about 0700 and Patrick headed off for a Kayak excursion. At 0830, other guests were shuttled ashore in color groups and were treated to a folkloric performance by three local groups on Bakawari Island. The kayak tour finished just in time to be delivered to the beach for the performance.
Dancing at Bakawari Island |
Some of the bamboo flutes used by the performers |
Native canoes fishing |
Native Canoe |
By 1200, all guests were back on board and Seabourn Pursuit headed for Honiara, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, our next destination. Our route takes the ship down the “Slot”, through Bougainville Straits and past Savo Island before docking at Honiara.
The area we are transiting is larger than we expected. The distance from Bakawari Island to Honiara, Guadalcanal is 335 NM. To make that distance overnight means Seabourn Pursuit has to average more than 15 knots. Fortunately the seas and wind are favorable.
One of the reasons for making this cruise is the opportunity to visit locations in which my father served while in the USN in WWII.
This morning, with calm seas and sunny skies, we are approaching Savo Island and will pass by the final resting place of the USS Astoria, which sank following a fierce night battle just off Savo Island, only two days after the USMC landed at Red Beach on Guadalcanal. The night of August 9, 1942, a night attack by the Japanese navy caught the allies off guard. Four heavy cruisers were sunk, three US and one Australian. Three cruisers were sunk in just a few minutes between 0230 and 0300. The USS Astoria did not sink immediately, but was badly damaged. The crew initially abandoned ship, but later 350 crew returned to try and save the ship. My father was one of those who returned to the ship. He told us about jumping off the bow initially, and returning to collect the bodies of those killed and preparing them for burial by sewing the corpses into hammocks while eating stewed tomatoes since the galleys were unusable and on fire. Initially we were skeptical of some aspects of that story, but when we saw the same story in other eyewitness accounts, we were convinced he had survived a horrific experience.
However, the crews’ efforts were in vain, as underwater explosions in the bow area fatally damaged USS Astoria (my father was aft at that time). The ship was abandoned once again and at 1215 that day, August 9, 1942 the USS Astoria listed 30 degrees, then capsized and sank stern first in 2800 feet of water about 2 miles from Savo Island. More than 247 sailors perished and another 250 were wounded. It was the worst defeat at sea for the US Navy, excluding Pearl Harbor. The USS Astoria was rediscovered by Paul Allen in 2015, in 2800 feet of water, with the bow missing.
The bridge display as we were at closest point to Astoria |
Last known phot of Astoria, one day before sinking |
Photo of Astoria remains by Paul Allen |
Savo Island |
We wer fortunate to be on the bridge of Seabourn Pursuit when we passed just 2.85 nm from the location of the USS Astoria. We observed several minutes of silence in memory of the hundreds of navy personnel who died in that action on both the Astoria and the other three ships.
My father was then reassigned to the destroyer USS Blue. That ship was torpedoed on August 22, 1942 and scuttled on August 23, 1942, after unsuccessful attempts to save her. My father also survived that sinking.
USS Blue – DD-387 |
The area between Savo Island and Guadalcanal has been named Iron Bottom Sound, since more than 50 allied and Japanese ships were sunk in the 7 month Guadalcanal campaign. Iron Bottom Sound is considered a sacred place due to all the people who perished and whose remains went to the bottom. Guadalcanal and the Solomon Islands campaigns marked the beginning of the successful, but bloody island hopping strategy which the Allies used to eventually defeat Japan.
The Battle of Savo Island was also a turning point for the US and it’s allies in that the Japanese failed to destroy the troop transports and supply ships lying off of Red Beach, just a few miles from the Savo Island battle, instead withdrawing after destroying the four heavy cruisers. The pattern of tactical victory but strategic mistake would persist throughout the war.
Seabourn Pursuit docked at the container port in Honiara, Guadalcanal at 1100, and by 1140 we were on a bus tour of the Eastern Battlefields of the Guadalcanal campaign.
Honiara is the capital of the Solomon Islands, a sprawling independent nation with more than 95 major islands and a total population of more than 700,000. Honiara has a population of about 65,000. This island nation is being impacted by climate change, with sea levels rising 8 mm per year, more than the average worldwide. The evidence of WWII is still present, with significant amounts of unexploded munitions still being discovered 82 years later.
The first tour stop was at Red Beach, where the USMC landed on August 7, 1942, with little opposition. That was soon to change as the USMC took control of Henderson field (our second stop) and set up defensive perimeters, including one at “Bloody Ridge”, our third stop of the tour. We finished the tour with visits to the Japanese War Memorial and the the US War Memorial. The Guadalcanal took seven months to achieve victory, with more than 7,000 Allied deaths and more than 19,000 Japanese deaths.
Monument at Red Beach |
Red Beach |
Memorial Park at Henderson Field |
View from Bloody Ridge |
Monument at Bloody Ridge |
Japanese War Memorial |
View of Savo Island from US Memorial |
Battle of Savo Island at Memorial |
List of US Ships sunk at Guadalcanal |
The view from the bell tower of the church.
Watching the toboggan action from the church.
We decided against doing the toboggan since the lines were so long. But it was fun watching them.
Funchal has so many little cafés along the narrow streets…so many good cafés. To celebrate Stan’s birthday we ate at O Visconde (The Viscount). The service and good was wonderful.
We tried a few different things. Seafood is a big thing in Madeira and it is very fresh. We started with the octopus salad, which was very good. Stan had sardines and I had the carbonara. We also had a bottle of wine and the bill only came to $44.50.
“All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them”. – Unknown
Just a few of the doors we saw. We went back to this little street the next night for dinner.
“All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them”. – Unknown
They serve ponchas at several stands. Poncha is the local rum punch…it has a lot of punch.
Hydrangeas grow everywhere here on the island. So pretty.
Once you get up into the mountains the scenery looks a lot like that in NY and PA.
Volcanic peaks are everywhere.
Looking east along the beach in Porto da Cruz. A popular surfing spot in Madeira.
Looking west at some of the little cafés along the harbor.
Lunch at The Wave.
Porto da Cruz Swimming Pool
Looking back to town from the seafront promenade.
The seafront promenade.
Companhia dos Engenhos do Norte (Northern Mills Company) is a working rum refinery. It’s the only working steam powered rum distillery left in Europe. It is located on the west side of the promenade.
You can tour their facility and do tasting in their little store.
One of the best meals we had all week was at India Gate. Stan had the Chicken Tikka Masala – Boneless chicken tikka cooked in yogurt, ginger, garlic, tomato, and a touch of garam masala. I had Chicken Curry – Chicken stewed in an onion and tomato based sauce, flavored with ginger, garlic, chili peppers and a variety of spices.
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