georgebackhus on August 30th, 2002

We decided to do a bit of exploring the next morning so put on our walking shoes, headed ashore and hit the road. In the area surrounding the resort, there are blocks of land being sold to persons wanting an “island getaway” or perhaps an escapist lifestyle. So far, at least a dozen homes have [...]

Continue reading about Koro and Savusavu, Fiji

georgebackhus on August 9th, 2002

We slipped through the pass into Thukuvou Harbour about mid-afternoon and anchored in the wide-open bay. We celebrated a “good-as-it-gets” day of cruising with sundowners and mahi-mahi on the barbeque while taking in the dramatic landscape of volcanic rock, lush tropical vegetation and white sand beaches.
We spent three days there on the west side of [...]

Continue reading about Yadua, Fiji

georgebackhus on July 26th, 2002

My friends Trevor and Mel arrived at oh-dark-hundred on Sunday morning. I was sound asleep and Moonshadow was tied to the marina at Port Denerau. Their three-hour flight from Auckland had been delayed by about sixteen hours but it didn’t seem to dampen their enthusiasm to get underway later that morning on our cruise to Savusavu.
Savusavu [...]

Continue reading about Denerau to Yadua, Fiji

georgebackhus on July 19th, 2002

January 19, 2002 - Cruising in the Hauraki Gulf

From Christmas day though the first week of the New Year, Auckland seems to roll up its sidewalks and shut off the lights. If you have a boat, or know someone who does, you are most likely to be out cruising around in the spectacular islands [...]

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georgebackhus on June 22nd, 2002

 

Musket Cove on Fiji’s Malolo Lailai Island.

It has been nearly six weeks since Moonshadow made landfall in Fiji. I have been a bit remiss on tapping out any sort of an update, but there has been no shortage of things to do. Between post-rally festivities, yacht maintenance, guest visits, working on my Dive master’s certification, and [...]

Continue reading about Cruising Fiji’s Mamanuthas Islands

georgebackhus on May 4th, 2002

April 24, 2002
We are getting ready to head north for the winter and do a bit of cruising in Fijian waters for the next five months or so. We plan to depart midday Sunday with the Ponsonby Crusing Club Rally to Musket Cove, on the island of Malolo Lailai, just west of the town of Nadi [...]

Continue reading about Passage Logs: The Auckland to Musket Cove (Fiji) Rally

georgebackhus on December 6th, 2001

 

The west coast of Espiritu Santo Island in Vanuatu offers up some spectacular anchorages, all within a short day sail from good provisioning in Luganville. Our favorite was Peterson’s Lagoon behind Oyster Island.
Peterson’s Lagoon is the most protected anchorage along the coast and probably the only spot that could be considered a hurricane hole. [...]

Continue reading about Vanuatu: Oyster Island and Peterson’s Lagoon

georgebackhus on November 19th, 2001

November 19, 2001 - The Round Rangitoto Race With SetSail-MaxSea

 

Two of the wonderful things about being based in Auckland for the summer are the very active race scene here, and all the beautiful islands in close proximity to the city.
We took advantage of both last Saturday and participated in the Round Rangitoto Race, sponsored by [...]

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georgebackhus on October 22nd, 2001

After five months of cruising in “the boonies,” re-entry into civilization is a bit of a shocker. It is great to be back “home” in Auckland, but it may take us a while to catch our breath and adjust from “island time” to the pace of a big city.
We’ve parked Moonshadow in her previous home [...]

Continue reading about Back in the First World.

georgebackhus on October 10th, 2001

October 4, 2001
We departed Noumea, New Caledonia at 1400 hours on Thursday under sunny skies with no wind and the Caledonian lagoon was like a mill pond. Cate, MaiTai and I are sailing with our Kiwi mate Graham Jones, who flew up from Auckland to join us for the passage.
We spent ten relaxing days [...]

Continue reading about Passage Logs: Noumea, New Caledonia to Opua, New Zealand