This final exchange is bittersweet. The two of you have found so much of yourselves in each others' stories and some key distinctions as well. And isn't that what life is all about?
Linda, the Betel chewing sounds...gross! I have a hard enough time when I come across a tobacco dipper / chewer here, and for the most part, they spit into a cup. But you made up for it with the shot of your writing desk. Equilibrium restored!
Janice, how is it possible about wild horses on Beaufort?! I was there so many times! Good to know you'll have a new oven and plenty of spirits for your winter sojourn. I can't wait to hear about your meeting with Lin Pardey. Please tell me more about how she made that crossing and with whom!
Fair winds to you both, and I know better than to wish any kind of following sea. 🤣
A reaching sea is for me! Lol. Thanks for recalling that my fellow sailor! I did have a certain melancholy feeling but alas....we can always toss out a semi-annual letter....?!
So pleased to meet Lin .my hero and icon. She invited us to breakfast! Super excited and i imagine that will turn into a stack topic. She has a new sailing companion in New Zealand. A younger man! She's 83!
Betel nut! UGH! I tried it when I was a deckhand on the Brigantine Romance in 1976. But I just don't remember on which island it was. From Fiji on westward to Papua New Guinea it was on pretty much every island we visited. I found it too bitter, just plain vile! I know I never tried it a second time! I do remember the bright red mouth and the broken teeth of the local who offered it to us during a 'walk-about' on shore, smiling big at us as we gingerly chewed that awful stuff! In Fiji I tried kava. Didn't like that either. Tasted like muddy water, and I got no appreciation for the numbness of my lips and tongue. I need a shot of Dr. Pepper now just thinking about that stuff! One thing that struck me about your friends on 'Duende' is how fast they are moving along. They are passing by a lot of islands. And to make Kavieng their only PNG stop I find perplexing. We stopped in Kavieng also, on 'Odyssey' in 2001. Madang, along the north coast (on their way to Biak) is a nice stop. We were based there for about 5 months when doing the whale research in the Bismarck Sea. There was a dock at a small resort hotel where we made our 'home base' when not out at sea. Excellent anchorage there also. But, that was 25 years ago (unbelievable!) and things change, maybe it's not nice anymore!
Always love your recollections, especially that one about the collections under the bar in Fiji! Whew. Do the women partake in that under-bar ritual?
LJ is horrified by the whole Betel nut thing, too, I think her repulsion matches yours, but pretty sure she did not partake!
They are cruising right along through that area, I had to refresh my memory of it and imagined that you had spent some serious time there, SO COOL, seriously, your life. Are you writing your book???? Glad you're following along on the journey, we hope to head south, after 2.7 years, the first week of November. Our path may take us to the Keys....stay tuned. !~J
Looking back once your course is set adds nothing to your new adventure. Thinking back through memory’s filter is where you’ll find us permanently tied to your painter. Don’t forget the CWG sendoff plans. There is and old saying, that I just made up, “It’s bad luck to leave Chesapeake Bay without a Maryland crab-cake between your teeth.”
I'll take all the crab cakes available my fine poet. You most certainly have marked my wandering soul and I'm guessing a return is in the cards. Liked your KICKING THE CAN work, as always intuitive, timely, observant. Thanks Ken, for all you do. ~J
A hidden gem -- this photo was probably taken only 60 miles from Florida-- and I had spent twenty years flying to places like Fiji for such experiences. It's amazing, for example, what the little park down the street can reveal, and how beautiful and peaceful it can be, if we open our eyes. And our curtains. You know! THANK YOU AMY. ~J
Loved the stories... and your photo of Steadfast at the end. What a beautiful vessel! You guys have done a wonderful job of bringing her back to life... Labour of Love.
THANK YOU so much Larry! I cannot tell you how much I appreciate that comment. For a year or so there, it was a love-hate thing, but the true love for her and our lifestyle prevailed! All the best to you. J
This final exchange is bittersweet. The two of you have found so much of yourselves in each others' stories and some key distinctions as well. And isn't that what life is all about?
Linda, the Betel chewing sounds...gross! I have a hard enough time when I come across a tobacco dipper / chewer here, and for the most part, they spit into a cup. But you made up for it with the shot of your writing desk. Equilibrium restored!
Janice, how is it possible about wild horses on Beaufort?! I was there so many times! Good to know you'll have a new oven and plenty of spirits for your winter sojourn. I can't wait to hear about your meeting with Lin Pardey. Please tell me more about how she made that crossing and with whom!
Fair winds to you both, and I know better than to wish any kind of following sea. 🤣
A reaching sea is for me! Lol. Thanks for recalling that my fellow sailor! I did have a certain melancholy feeling but alas....we can always toss out a semi-annual letter....?!
So pleased to meet Lin .my hero and icon. She invited us to breakfast! Super excited and i imagine that will turn into a stack topic. She has a new sailing companion in New Zealand. A younger man! She's 83!
Always nice to have your energy, Elizabeth! J
Betel nut! UGH! I tried it when I was a deckhand on the Brigantine Romance in 1976. But I just don't remember on which island it was. From Fiji on westward to Papua New Guinea it was on pretty much every island we visited. I found it too bitter, just plain vile! I know I never tried it a second time! I do remember the bright red mouth and the broken teeth of the local who offered it to us during a 'walk-about' on shore, smiling big at us as we gingerly chewed that awful stuff! In Fiji I tried kava. Didn't like that either. Tasted like muddy water, and I got no appreciation for the numbness of my lips and tongue. I need a shot of Dr. Pepper now just thinking about that stuff! One thing that struck me about your friends on 'Duende' is how fast they are moving along. They are passing by a lot of islands. And to make Kavieng their only PNG stop I find perplexing. We stopped in Kavieng also, on 'Odyssey' in 2001. Madang, along the north coast (on their way to Biak) is a nice stop. We were based there for about 5 months when doing the whale research in the Bismarck Sea. There was a dock at a small resort hotel where we made our 'home base' when not out at sea. Excellent anchorage there also. But, that was 25 years ago (unbelievable!) and things change, maybe it's not nice anymore!
Always love your recollections, especially that one about the collections under the bar in Fiji! Whew. Do the women partake in that under-bar ritual?
LJ is horrified by the whole Betel nut thing, too, I think her repulsion matches yours, but pretty sure she did not partake!
They are cruising right along through that area, I had to refresh my memory of it and imagined that you had spent some serious time there, SO COOL, seriously, your life. Are you writing your book???? Glad you're following along on the journey, we hope to head south, after 2.7 years, the first week of November. Our path may take us to the Keys....stay tuned. !~J
J
Looking back once your course is set adds nothing to your new adventure. Thinking back through memory’s filter is where you’ll find us permanently tied to your painter. Don’t forget the CWG sendoff plans. There is and old saying, that I just made up, “It’s bad luck to leave Chesapeake Bay without a Maryland crab-cake between your teeth.”
K
I'll take all the crab cakes available my fine poet. You most certainly have marked my wandering soul and I'm guessing a return is in the cards. Liked your KICKING THE CAN work, as always intuitive, timely, observant. Thanks Ken, for all you do. ~J
Gin-clear water in the Bahamas… beautiful! I hope your weather has settled down, Janice.
A hidden gem -- this photo was probably taken only 60 miles from Florida-- and I had spent twenty years flying to places like Fiji for such experiences. It's amazing, for example, what the little park down the street can reveal, and how beautiful and peaceful it can be, if we open our eyes. And our curtains. You know! THANK YOU AMY. ~J
Loved the stories... and your photo of Steadfast at the end. What a beautiful vessel! You guys have done a wonderful job of bringing her back to life... Labour of Love.
THANK YOU so much Larry! I cannot tell you how much I appreciate that comment. For a year or so there, it was a love-hate thing, but the true love for her and our lifestyle prevailed! All the best to you. J