Ronja - Time - abundance of time .

Position 13:40.35S, 145:14.16WDear readers,We are truly sorry for not writing to this log on more regular basis - but we are just enjoying life. We even do not know what day or date it is. For once time is not a shortage, we are just living, just enjoying the sunset of the new day, not having any idea at all what to this day. So what did the last day bring of ventures for the Ruud family?Back on the beach where the unhappy accident with the finger on we left together with 6 other WARC boats for Ua Huka. The sail was magnificent, with excellent conditions the whole way. We arrived I Ua Huka 2 hours earlier than planned. The anchorage in Hu Huka was terrible though. The swell were coming directly into the bay and the wind where holing down the mountainside. It was just as it tried to blow. read more...

Ronja - Cruising Marquesas

Position 09:54.50, 139:06.31WDear readers,After the landfall on Hiva Oa 7 days ago, we have just relaxed in paradise.The first two days we cleaned out the boat after the passage, did some needed maintenance around the ship, as well as provisioned the boat for cruising in the Marquesas and Tuamotoues. We managed to have all done in two days, including having the afternoons to explore the Island of Hiva Oa.The Island landscape is dramatic and soft at the same time. Steep and high mountains stretch right from the sea and several hundred meters up, being covered by a soft green layer of vegetation. The people here in French Polynesia are extremely friendly, happy and helping , sometimes to quite a contrast to back home.Two times we went to Alex and his family. After 5 minutes drive up a very. read more...

Ronja - Pacific passage: Galapagos to Marquesas: Landfall

Position 09:48.22S, 139:01.94W Sailed distance: 3020 NM Distance to Marquesas: 0 Nm Dear readers, Landfall Marquesas - Hiva Oa - PARADISE . After 18 days, 21 hours and 28 minutes we crossed the finishing line just outside the harbor of Hiva Oa. Calling Rally Control we immediately got response from Paul on the VHF. After some minutes we where advised to our anchorage, where some other World ARC boats where waiting to help us with the anchorage. The harbor is quite small, and is subject to some swell so both bow and stern anchor is needed to have a comfortable and safe anchorage. Again we where greeted by the other World ARC boats that had arrived before us, creating a very special atmosphere of enjoy and happiness. We had safely passed the Pacific, having friends waiting for us, being. read more...

Ronja - Pacific passage: Galapagos to Marquesas: Last night

Position 09:45.58, 137:57.85WSailed distance: 2962 NMDistance to Marquesas: 65NmDear readers,We are almost there - we can all hear the Marquesas hauling out for us. Lars, Stians brother, has already arrived Hiva Oua, after a 3 day travel from Nordreisa in Norway. Lars will be joining Ronja on the way to Australia. Since we are not completely there yet, Henning has invited Lars to sleep in Destiny for this night - what a grate friends the other World ARC boats are. We just spoke to Henning and Lars on the SSB (HF Radio), just to learn that they were on the way to a restaurant to have a dinner (oooh - do we wished to be there right now). No tears, we will be there tomorrow morning.The last night looks to be a real nice one. No clouds on the sky, big bright moon and little wind which gives. read more...

Ronja - Pacific passage: Galapagos to Marquesas: Day 14

Position 06:29.35, 114:08.87WSailed distance: 2324 NMDistance to Marquesas: 699 NmDear readers,It is late evening, pitch dark outside with a clear sky painted with an incomprehensive number of stars. The night duties started 3 hours ago, but the kids are still up - full with expectations due to the rapid approaching landfall in Marquesas. We have been out at sea for 14 days and the life on board is now fully in balance. No stress, no shopping malls, no pressure from school / friends - just time for the small fellowship on board Ronja.The difference on our kids is enormous. Like right now, where they are sitting in the cockpit together talking about nothing, everything, the meaning of life. Big questions, questions I have never heard they have discussed before. To my surprise they are. read more...