18th February 2013, Hobart, Tasmania Our passage from Sydney was uneventful. We were fortunate that the strong north-east winds were coming from astern and as a consequence we made good speed and little movement of the ‘Amsterdam’, sunny skies too. There is a weather front coming in and ahead of it, stronger winds and during… read more of “Captain’s…”
Project Linus continues on the 2013 Grand World Voyage. The project provides new, handmade blankets, afghans and hats to children who are seriously ill, traumatised or otherwise in need. David Coleman has continued the project, which was organised by Anna Lewis of Seattle during the 2012 GWV. I am seen here with David, receiving a… read more of “Captain’s…”
12th February, At sea, towards Sydney, Australia Yesterday, we docked in the small harbour at Picton on schedule. Our voyage from Wellington was a short one, it is only 44 miles from the pilot station off Wellington to the pilot station for Picton, consequently we steamed at a very slow speed of 8 knots to… read more of “Captain’s…”
The last time I wrote, Friso, my 2nd-in-command, was about to embark on a tender in Wellington harbour and participate in a ‘Blessing of the Boats’ ceremony. All went superbly on a sunny day, tender 11 was escorted to the ‘blessing site’ by members of the local Coast Guard with their boat. Approximately 40 boats… read more of “Captain’s…”
8th February, Tauranga, New Zealand We have been blessed with beautiful weather ever since we made landfall in New Zealand, the sun has been shining and the winds have been light; our guests and crew have made the most of it, thoroughly enjoying this beautiful country. The people are wonderfully friendly and everywhere is spotless,… read more of “Captain’s…”
Berthed Auckland, 7th February I realised, after sending my last post, that I inserted a ‘typo’, we arrived here on Tuesday evening and not Wednesday, apologies for that. Our continuing voyage south-west towards Auckland, from Raratonga, was reasonably comfortable. Initially, the wind was from the east, however it slowly swung around, first to the north… read more of “Captain’s…”
After leaving Bora Bora we had a nice day at sea, the sun was shining and winds were fair. Unfortunately this was not going to last though, as ahead of us lay an area of low pressure, bringing with it wind and rain and the Wednesday saw a marked increase in wind and with it,… read more of “Captain’s…”
28th and 29th January 2013 Moorea. We enter the lagoon of this idyllic island through a gap in the reef which surrounds it. Before us is a scene out of prehistoric times and one almost expects to see pterodactyls soaring around the towering volcanic spires, or dinosaurs bellowing from the surrounding mass of greenery which… read more of “Captain’s…”
