Amandla Fitted With New Mainsail Shortly Before Departure
Yesterday, the crew of Amandla started our journey northward from Gulf Harbor. On the first day out, we were treated to pouring rain and gale force winds, but safely tucked into Christian Bay overnight.
Rainbow In Between Fronts
We are now sailing to Marsden Cove, Whangarei in sunny (albeit cold) conditions and lighter winds.
The Captain At The Helm Enveloped In Foul Weather Gear
Tomorrow, we will check out of New Zealand and sail toward Fiji via Minerva Reef.
Our Good Friend Steve (Also Enveloped In Foul Weather Gear) Unfurling The Genoa
Once we leave the shores of New Zealand, we will be off-grid for 2+ weeks but will be sending periodic position updates via satellite phone along the way. You can follow our updates on Farkwar or on Twitter .
Kawauti Point In Our Wake This Morning
I will miss many things about New Zealand. The Captain says he will miss our used Honda Odyessy and the large portion of his liver that he had resected here at the end of March.
The Captain caring for his beloved Land Yacht
We are both looking forward to warmer climates.
For The Daily Post Weekly Photo Challenge: Enveloped
Feature Image On Home Page Courtesy Ken Charon
desleyjane May 15, 2015
Happy and safe travels Lisa. Love the rainbow shot with the birds placed just right. Gorgeous.
Lisa Dorenfest May 16, 2015 — Post Author
Thank you for the well wishes and compliment Desleyjane! I almost didn’t put the rainbow shot in beacause I was afraid it had ‘too much solar panel’. Now I am glad that I did.
desleyjane May 16, 2015
My pleasure 🙂
It’s a beautiful shot.
goldenchild31 May 16, 2015
I love this shots, Lisa! I can just imagine the salty breeze slapping against my face and the sound of the propeller as it churns the water… Beautiful. The rainbow shot is really beautiful!
Olivia
https://wordingonawhim.wordpress.com/blog
Lisa Dorenfest May 16, 2015 — Post Author
I am so pleased that you liked the shots Olivia! Nice to sail with you virtually.
goldenchild31 May 20, 2015
Agreed!
Gerry C. May 16, 2015
Bon voyage Lisa! Have an enjoyable trip. Be safe.
Lisa Dorenfest May 16, 2015 — Post Author
Thank you for the lovely send off Gerry!
Michelle Hill May 16, 2015
Wonderful photos! I especially like the one of your new Mainsail. Safe travels Lisa. I look forward to seeing the occasional update on Twitter and your photos of Fiji when you arrive.
Lisa Dorenfest May 16, 2015 — Post Author
You are wonderful to say so Michelle! Thank you! I so very much hope that our paths cross in Fiji, New Caledonia and/or Australia!
brittabottle May 16, 2015
Absolutely love hearing your updates, Lisa! Lovely pictures too, as usual. Safe and happy travels to you and The Captain!
Lisa Dorenfest May 16, 2015 — Post Author
🙂 You are kind to say so Britta. Looking forward to catching up on your future when I arrive in Fiji! Glad you’ve chosen growth and understanding and are learning the power of forgiveness
brittabottle May 16, 2015
Fiji? Sounds so exotic! I can’t wait to hear about your adventures there!
brittabottle May 16, 2015
Also, I’m glad I have too. It’s a truly rewarding experience.
Frankie Beane May 16, 2015
Love the rainbow. Have a safe and joyful trip.
Lisa Dorenfest May 16, 2015 — Post Author
Glad you enjoyed the pic! Thank you for the bon voyage 🙂
Rob Weir May 16, 2015
Good luck Lisa. Make sure you come back to NZ some time
Lisa Dorenfest May 16, 2015 — Post Author
Hope to again someday Rob! Thank you. And hope to visit some of the other gorgeous places you have journeyed as well!
DCS May 16, 2015
Safe travels and best wishes for calm seas and favorable winds.
“Remember, Lord, my ship is small and thy sea is so wide!”
Joshua Slocum
Lisa Dorenfest May 16, 2015 — Post Author
🙂 I love that quote! Thank you Duncan for your good wishes.
Mark Roope May 16, 2015
You seem to have been landbound for an eternity Lisa. Good to see you back on the sea and pushing the boundaries of your adventures.
Lisa Dorenfest May 16, 2015 — Post Author
🙂 It does seem like an eternity Mark and the first day out was rough (for a moment, I was like ‘why is this my dream?’ ) …but I quickly found my sea legs and am looking forward to heading out on passage. Weather window is closing so we are leaving NZ tomorrow rather than May 18th as originally. Minerva Reef here we come! And I hope you have another entertaining post to share by the time I arrive in Fiji! I’ve missed your humor.
rosemaylily2014 May 16, 2015
Bon voyage for your latest adventure Lisa! Wishing you safe and happy travels. What a beautiful photo of the rainbow you have captured – look forward to seeing more photos of your voyage! 🙂
Lisa Dorenfest May 16, 2015 — Post Author
Thank you Rosemary! Glad to have you join us virtually for the passage!
Steve & Ade May 16, 2015
Buon Fortuna to all three of you. Best of luck for the passage. We are so envious. Enjoy Fiji.
Steve & Ade (&Twink & Pip) on Seaforth
Lisa Dorenfest May 16, 2015 — Post Author
What an unexpected treat to hear from you on the blog! We so hope that you will decide to come for a visit. You are always welcome. Unfortunately, the furry dock lines will need to remain in New Zealand, but they can get by without you for a week! Thanks for all your support these past few months and for taking over the command of The Captain’s land yacht
LDG luciledegodoy May 16, 2015
All beautiful shots, and I love the first one with the mainsail. Great composition!
Safe and fun travels, Lisa!
Will be following you.
🙂
Lisa Dorenfest May 16, 2015 — Post Author
It means a lot to me that you will be follow along virtually Lucile! Thank you your compliments and good wishes. I so look forward to enjoying your images and words again when I arrive in Fiji!
LDG luciledegodoy May 16, 2015
Dear Lisa, you are an inspiration! And of course I follow your journey. And as your blog friend, I follow with interest, care, pride, excitement, attention and (oops, let me confess…concern).
I will miss seeing you here often, and I am already looking forward to hearing about all your new adventures.
Have a safe and happy journey!
Cheers,
Lucile
Lisa Dorenfest May 17, 2015 — Post Author
I am glad that you follow with kindness and concern :-). We will be throwing off the dock lines in a few minutes. It is great to have you along for the journey! Looking forward to catching up from Fiji! Lisa
Aamiene May 16, 2015
All the best for a wonderful and safe trip. I hope New Zealand gets to see you again some time 🙂
Lisa Dorenfest May 16, 2015 — Post Author
Thank you very much Brenda! I see I can now access your blog without issue and was just subscribed!
tgeriatrix May 16, 2015
Mast- und Schotbruch! as we Germans say !
Lisa Dorenfest May 17, 2015 — Post Author
🙂 a welcome farewell from an experienced sailor of the sea….and the land. Thank you!
lexklein May 16, 2015
I love your photos (mainsail and rainbow are tops for me, too!), and I feel excited for you as your re-start the seagoing part of your adventure. I fancy myself an intrepid traveler, but I think I’d be pretty apprehensive about being on the remote ocean for so long … I admire your spirit greatly! Happy sailing!
Lisa Dorenfest May 17, 2015 — Post Author
I greatly appreciate your lovely compliments and send off Lexie. I am looking forward to the passage. The open ocean is where I find my greatest peace (weather and vessel permitting 🙂
Terri Webster Schrandt May 16, 2015
Your images are gorgeous and so right for the theme. Safe travels to Fiji and bon voyage!
Lisa Dorenfest May 17, 2015 — Post Author
You are wonderfully kind Terri! Thank you so much for your wonderful compliment and lovely farewell.
Susi May 16, 2015
Bon Voyage! Safe travels and all that rut. I love how in touch you are, so that we mere mortals can travel along….Captain looks ready for the sea. I think of you both (and Steve, too) daily. Love and alohas along the journey!
Lisa Dorenfest May 17, 2015 — Post Author
🙂 We think of you daily too and welcome your love and alohas. We couldn’t convince you to come to New Zealand and visit but perhaps we can entice you with Fiji or New Caledonia.
prior May 17, 2015
Hey Lisa – safe sailing to u and the crew – and I read a few of the comments – and I agree with a couple others about that rainbow shot – <3 – glad you decided to include it.
Also, the first one gives us that majestic feel of looking up – something I am sure you are very used to – and well, glad to be tagging along with y'all 🙂
xxoo
Lisa Dorenfest May 31, 2015 — Post Author
🙂 Thank you for your lovely compliments Yvette and for sailing along with us virtually. We’ve safely arrived in Fiji and I am slowly reconnecting with the world. Will be along for a virtual visit to your blog soon.
prior May 31, 2015
glad you made it – and I am totally enjoying the virtual check in on your progress – what a cool tool that sailor developed –
Lisa Dorenfest May 31, 2015 — Post Author
🙂 Farkwar is pretty cool. It is great to be able to share our journey with it via brief satellite phone updates.
prior June 1, 2015
amazing that you can do this <3 <3
andysmerdon May 17, 2015
Wishing you a safe passage – looking forward to pics 🙂
Lisa Dorenfest May 31, 2015 — Post Author
Thank you for the well wishes Andy. The passage was awesome and we did manage to get a few nice snaps of the trip which I will post soon as I slowly reconnect with the world 🙂
thirdeyemom May 18, 2015
Wonderful Lisa!
Lisa Dorenfest May 31, 2015 — Post Author
Thank you Nicole. We’ve arrived in Fiji and I am slowly reconnecting. Very excited to see your participating in the #SolarSisterSummit and will be by to contribute shortly
thirdeyemom June 2, 2015
Lisa, Fiji! Awesome! Sounds like quite an adventure to say the least. Yes I’m getting really excited about my upcoming trip but it is always a little nerve wracking to leave the kids. At least they are in excellent hands with my husband!
Lisa Dorenfest June 5, 2015 — Post Author
Your are lucky to have such a wonderful husband Nicole and the world is blessed to have such a wonderful you :-). Am thrilled to sponsor (and follow) your summit.
thirdeyemom June 8, 2015
Oh thank you so much Lisa!!!!
Faraday's Candle May 20, 2015
Bon voyage Lisa! May the wind take you to your destination safely and happiness smiles upon you.
Lisa Dorenfest May 31, 2015 — Post Author
Thank you for your well wishes. We have arrived safely in Fiji and I am slowly reconnecting with the world.