The last time we tried to eat an elephant was 2014 when we were in Annapolis commissioning Toucan for long-distance cruising. That was definitely a mission, but this new enterprise – exciting as it is – comes with a whole other level of complexity and challenges. Mainly because of the language barrier, the geographical isolation, and the time constraints…
Continue reading “The Elephant Returns”
And we’re off and running at a lickety-split pace. It’s hard to believe it’s only been two weeks since our last blog and the land clearing finished. I think Hans’s family feel bad that we’ve had to wait so long, and now that it’s only a couple of months before we head home, they’re pulling out all the stops to get the buildings finished.
Continue reading ““The Block” – Papuan Style”
I’m so happy to be finally writing this blog after several months of uncertainty. It’s even more serendipitous that it’s all come together at New Year, a symbol of regeneration and new beginnings. This is BIG news, and big changes are afoot for us.
Continue reading “New Year, New Beginnings!”
We return from Sorong after our latest visa extension run to find that Hans has started building a new house over the water. His parents are still away in Waisai trying to sort out the ownership dispute over the nearby small island (Pulau Dayan Kecil), so Hans has singlehandedly managed to build the foundation and frame and has already started on the roof in the one week we’ve been away.
Continue reading “The House That Hans Built”
We’re willing guinea pigs for Hans, who’s setting up a homestay at Dayang and wants to work out what adventures his guests might like. So we’re more than happy to oblige when he asks us to play tourists for the day.
Continue reading “Waterfalls, Barbecues, and Sunsets”
When you’re cooped up on a boat with someone 24/7 and there’s scarcely any other company, sometimes the conversation takes a bizarre turn. Any flies on the wall would assume we’ve gone barking mad (and they could be right). A recent topic of conversation on board Toucan started with the question “Do geckos like potato chips”? Before you run screaming for the hills, let me explain….
Continue reading “Do Geckos Like Potato Chips?”