Merry Christmas S/V PEACE AND ALOHA Update December 25, 2005
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!
We are finally on our passage of 2100 miles (fourteen days approximately) across the Atlantic Ocean after sixteen days in Mindelo, Sao Vicente Island in the Cape Verde Islands, located about 100 miles off the west coast of Africa. We provisioned some (not much variety or quantity of fruits and vegs and all were quite expensive, since they are imported), filled the boat and a newly purchased 55 gallon drum with diesel fuel, made sail and a welding repair before heading off. S/V PEACE AND ALOHA was ready but then we were tested with medical problems for both David and Eric. The next obstacle was the weather! We departed on December 23, one day later than other cruisers after Herb and others indicated an excellent weather window! Now we are warned that a low or a wave or a trough could be developing at 20 North 33-34 West. This year the weather is absolutely abnormal! We were glad to be in the Cape Verdes with warmer temperatures than the Canaries where we experienced "Delta" with winds of 46 knots on November 28 while in the Las Palmas Marina in Gran Canaria. Thanks to all who answered our Atlantic Crossing questionnaire and we will write soon.
We will be on passage on Christmas Day and New Year's Day. Very different from other years when we have been in a marina or calm anchorages to enjoy our simple Christmas decorations. We have been constantly on the move and Christmas decorations would not withstand this rock and roll! We are all looking forward to Christmas 2006 on Maui with our family, including our grandbaby Paul (almost 2 now) and his parents, Chris and our daughter, Julie! We should be in Martinique by Three Kings Day on January 6 for our gift giving and festivities.
On December 24, we were exactly half way around the world from Mooloolaba, Australia. We left Mooloolaba on April 22, 2003 and have been moving ever since, with the exception of a two month stay in Thailand where we experienced the Boxing Day Tsunami on December 26, 2004. We have visited 20 countries and traveled 16,033 miles in 20 months. Only 5 of 80 boats in the Red Sea Fleet 2005 from Thailand are crossing with us (Rikili, Zephyrus, Quarterdeck, and Exit Only). We are ready for some sun, sand, snorkeling, and spear fishing, and some good R&R! We are looking forward to celebrating our circumnavigation of the world upon our arrival in Martinique. The circumnavigation will be realized and celebrated appropriately, however, the journey does not end until we arrive in Fort Lauderdale after another 1,200 miles. S/V PEACE AND ALOHA will then be for sale. We pray for a quick sale to avoid having her alone in Florida during hurricane season and for her new owners to take her around again. She is the perfect cruising boat! Let us know if you hear of someone interested in purchasing her.
We will write many belated email updates and answer your personal emails IF this passage is calm enough for the next 12 days. We will also be writing our Christmas letter. We love hearing from you via email or especially on Christmas cards (photos are greatly appreciated), which should be mailed to: 27138 Sunridge Drive, Evergreen, CO 80439 USA. Julie will bring them when they visit us in the Virgin Islands. Please keep in touch. Thank you to those who have emailed us with Season's Greetings already! If you would like to be removed from our email update list, please write back and we will take you off the list. Please remember NOT to send this email back to us with your reply and our email will reject attachments, pictures and long emails.
We wish you Joy, Peace and Love during the Christmas holidays and throughout
the year. May 2006 be a year of Blessings and Abundance for all. We miss you
all especially at this time of year.
God Bless Us All! Fair winds and calms seas for our cruising friends where
ever they may be on the oceans of the world! Congratulations to others who
are also completing their world circum-navigation!
Love and Christmas Hugs,
Ellen, David, Jason and Eric
S/V PEACE AND ALOHA
December 25, 2005
At sea