We would like to present you the newest trend in Pacific hairstyling. Here you see Rolf & Arent Brink showing what from now on will be known as the Bald Brinkie. Only available at Boukje’s Hairsalon on the back of the Helena. (The necklaces are a parting gift from our Manihi family)
Archive for 2010|Yearly archive page
Presenting: The Bald Brinkie
In Crew on 22/08/2010 at 23:03Our new Manihi family
In People, Voyages on 18/08/2010 at 20:38
As is the tradition with Helena, we have again accidentally ended up somewhere we didn’t plan to be And again it’s amazing and we’re having a great time with our new pearl farming family on a beautiful part of this atoll. We are considering starting our very own pearl farm on one of these motus. Isn’t that romantic? Read the rest of this entry »
New phone number
In Crew on 10/08/2010 at 00:06
Boukje lands in paradise
In Crew on 06/08/2010 at 23:49
Since they finally found paradise, the guys were not really looking forward to sailing out again to meet me in Tahiti on the 4th. Fortunately Manihi has an airport with a daily connection to Tahiti. So Rolf got himself a plane ticket and was at Papeete airport when I arrived there at four in the morning, after a 26 hour trip. I was so happy to see him standing there, complete with leis (flower necklaces) to welcome me in true island style. Read the rest of this entry »
Still on Manihi
In Voyages on 02/08/2010 at 23:30
We’re still on Manihi, a beautiful atoll in the Tuamotu Archipelago. We came here on an unscheduled stop since our complete steering system had systematically stopped working with first the primary autopilot, then the second, then the rudder and finally the steering cables. We came into this atoll with the help of Fernando (a local fisherman/baker/pearl farmer/watertaxi driver/leader of the Mormon church) who showed us the way while I was steering the ship with the emergence steering system, Arent was handling the throttle and Matty was on the lookout for coral heads.
Uh-oh, steering problems
In Helena on 29/07/2010 at 18:46Tomorrow morning we’re making an unscheduled stop at Manihi, because we have taken damage on the steering system. The hydraulic autopilot (which was replacing the original autopilot that broke down on the way to the Marquesas) has broken the steering system. So now we have a jury-rigged autopilot with the emergency tiller on the stern deck. Steering the ship manually is now an old fashioned undertaking while sitting at an actual helm and the autopilot needs re-attachment with improvised ropes.
No worries, we’re under complete control. Since we’re arriving on an atoll tomorrow morning this shouldn’t give too many problems. It’s going to be a logistical challenge now though, because we’re supposed to pick up Boukje in Tahiti and we’re in need of a welding shop… I guess we’ll have to figure that out when we arrive.
Au revoir Marie!
In Crew on 27/07/2010 at 08:52
We said goodbye today to our dear crewmember Marie-Andree. She flew out from Hiva Oa to join her friends on Tahiti and Bora-Bora. Now it’s just the guys and without a woman on board we’re on our own way to Tahiti… No woman on board, that means we have to do our own sailtrim, navigation, cooking, dinghy driving, reading, movies, teeth brushing, bedtime stories and so on from now on. Read the rest of this entry »
Pacific crossing
In Voyages on 19/07/2010 at 21:01On Wednesday June 30th, we began the Pacific crossing. We are planning on a 1 month passage, but are hoping for 3 weeks on the ocean. The wind is looking great and the currents will be from behind, so we should make a good passage.
Sunday, July 18
We did it!!! Just crossed half the pacific in 18 days! We’ve dropped anchor 2 hours ago (16.00 local time or 01.00 UTC) in the bay of virgins or Baie Hanavave and it’s truly an amazing place to be. With breathtaking views of the mountain and beautiful rock formations all around us and the wind gushing through the valley. We did it and we did it well! The calm waters are already making us tired (probably something to do with the beers we had) but we’re gonna take the BBQ, food, champagne and beers to the beach anyway so we may fall asleep on the beach tonight. Read the rest of this entry »
Panama to Galapagos
In Voyages on 23/06/2010 at 07:58
Tuesday, June 22
We’re in sight of Galapagos!!! Today was a beautiful day with lots of sunshine and a very large school of dolphins that were jumping out of the water, meters high up into the air. Great stuff!
Read the rest of this entry »
sailing yacht Helena 