Over Half The Way Around

NewZealand. It’s even more glorious than I imagined. I got teary when I first spied it off the bow of Amandla.  And then, I was doused by a wave as the winds kicked up to Gale Force 8.

We arrived in Port Opua the evening of November 6 after a smooth five day sail (with lots of motoring) from North Minerva Reef

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Places I’ve Sailed

This was a very special trip for me as I have now sailed over half way around the world.  Well, sort of……let me explain.

In 2011, during my Yachtmaster program, I sailed as far east as Ijmuiden, Netherlands [52º 46′ N, 004º 58′ E] and as far west as the Scilly Isles [49º 99′ N, 006º 42′ E]

At the conclusion of my Yachtmaster program, I hopped a ferry from Portsmouth and then a train in Spain to Vilagarcía de Arousa [42º 35′ N, 008º 45′ W] missing 2º 03′ of longitude by not traveling there under sail via Biscay Bay. Technicality #1

From Vilagarcía de Arousa, I sailed with BOSS to Gran Canaria [24º 14′ N, 015º 41′ W] via Madeira and then spent some time traveling alone and with my friends Mike and Fletcher.

In November 2011, I joined the crew of Milanto for the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers and sailed on to St Lucia [14º 04′ N, 060º 56′ W]

After arriving, I enjoyed a short vacation in St Lucia with my cousins, then hopped a cruise ship and a train back to NYC.

In 2013, I began my Pacific journey, sailing from Isla Mujeres, Mexico, to Panama via Florida, The Bahamas [24.41° N, 075.51 W] and Jamaica missing 14º 55′ of longitude between by not sailing directly from St Lucia. Technicality # 2.

From Panama, we sailed to NewZealand [35º31 S 174º12 E] via The Galapagos, French Polynesia, Hawaii, The Cooks, Samoa, Tonga, and North Minerva Reef

So I’ve sailed over half way round [190 degrees and 46 minutes of longitude] with two ‘technicalities’ resulting in a gap of 16 degrees and 58 minutes of longitude.  But I’m going to ignore those technicalities, do a little dance, and say ‘Woo Hoo – I’ve sailed over 1/2 way around the world – yay me!’

Besides, I’ll likely have to cross the Atlantic again anyhow to make it all the way around – Cape Town is just shy of a full circle and St Helena is in the middle of nowhere so I have to sail on to Brazil and then I’m thinking on to St Lucia to make up those missing degrees of longitude.  Because I’m a gal with a goal! And I’m really anal.

So what’s on the plate for 2015? Well, I was originally planning to go back to work in NYC for a few years to replenish the cruising kitty. but now I’m considering other options  (e.g. sail for one more year and then go back to work in NYC or try to find a 6-18 month change management assignment somewhere along my sailing route).  Looking for a great Project Manager?). Watch this space .