Home › Archive for Sailings
Blog Archives

Tricycle Taxis and the Public Market in San Fernando, La Union

Posted on by by Posted in Asia, Sailings

City Hall of San Fernando La Union, The Philippines

(April 13 – 20, 2026) San Fernando, La Union is quite a long name for a city, but the “La Union” part helps distinguish it from another city named San Fernando. After being isolated at sea for two weeks, I absolutely loved the vibrant energy of the fresh market and the local restaurants.

This city seems to be the largest in the northern region of the island, and it is bustling with people. My favorite way to get around was by tricycle taxi, the main form of public transportation here.

…

Continue Reading >>


Sailing from Guam to San Fernando La Union in the Philippines

Posted on by by Posted in Asia, Sailings

Three Friendly Coast Guards on a local fishing boat approached us in the waters off Camiguin Island, Philippines

(March 29 – April 13, 2026) Before leaving Guam, a fellow sailor told me about the Kuroshio Current (also known as the “Black” or “Japan” Current). Much like the Gulf Stream in the Atlantic, this current can add or subtract over 3 knots to your speed. By riding it, we maintained a fast moving average of 7.2 knots as we approached the northern Philippines.

After seven days at sea, we reached the first islands of the Philippines and decided to anchor for a rest.

…

Continue Reading >>


Guam: US Military & Asian Tourism

Posted on by by Posted in Pacific Islands, Sailings

View from Two Lovers Point, Guam

(February 13 – March 29, 2026) Guam is a strategic US hub in the Pacific, closer to Japan, Korea, and the Philippines than to Hawaii. We frequently watched US submarines transit the channel.

Most cruising sailors stop Guam en route to Japan or to collect stateside orders. Consequently, the island’s tourism is dominated by visitors from Korea and Japan.

Our primary goal was to collect parts and refill John’s prescriptions. Note for travelers: a doctor’s visit at an urgent care without insurance costs $195. While FedEx was punctual, USPS deliveries lagged behind our schedule.

…

Continue Reading >>


Pohnpei, Micronesia: A Rainy Island with a Rich History

Posted on by by Posted in Micronesia, Pacific Islands, Sailings

World War II Japanese Tanks, Pohnpei, The Federated States of Micronesia

(January 16 – February 6, 2026) Similar to the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) spans a vast ocean territory. Pohnpei is the capital of the FSM and one of its four states. The other three are Kosrae, Chuuk, and Yap. Located roughly halfway between Honolulu and Manila, the island is home to incredibly friendly people. During our stay, we hardly saw any other tourists. The weather was consistently hot and humid. The currency is the US Dollar, there is a US Post Office, and US citizens can live here without a visa.

…

Continue Reading >>


Magnificent Everyday… Kosrae Island in Micronesia

Posted on by by Posted in Micronesia, Pacific Islands, Sailings

Sunset at Kosrae Anchorage, Kosrae Island, Micronesia

(January 2-14, 2026) The downwind passage from the Marshall Islands to the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) took four days of pleasant sailing. While I slept deeply on New Year’s Eve, John toasted Neptune with a glass of wine during his watch.

Arriving at Kosrae—the “Island of the Sleeping Lady”—we were greeted with such warmth that it felt like returning to a parent’s house and receiving unconditional love.

While waiting for clearance at Mr. Smith Sigrah’s garden, his wife brought us fresh lemonade and crispy fried breadfruit. After the Port Authority cleared us in the morning,

…

Continue Reading >>


The Most Beautiful Water: Ebeye Island, Kwajalein Atoll

Posted on by by Posted in Marshall Islands, Pacific Islands, Sailings

Kwajalein Local Government Office, Ebeye island, Kwajalein Atoll, The Marshall Islands

(December 27-30, 2025) Few people have heard of Kwajalein in the Marshall Islands. I was one of them until I read Walter Isaacson’s biography of Elon Musk in 2023. One of the islands in the Kwajalein Atoll served as SpaceX’s primary launch site for the Falcon 1 rocket. Today, various islands in the atoll house U.S. military bases.

We visited Ebeye Island to complete our customs clearance for the Marshalls. Ebeye is a small but highly populated island. Like most of the Marshall Islands, its average elevation is only about six feet above sea level.

…

Continue Reading >>


A Very Special Christmas Dinner at Bikini Atoll

Posted on by by Posted in Marshall Islands, Pacific Islands, Sailings

A close look at low tide revealed many names carved into the surface. I believe these belong to the soldiers who were here decades ago preparing for the nuclear tests—a quiet, fading memorial to those who served on this island.

(December 22 to 25, 2025) When I started sailing in 2014, John told me, “I want to sail to Bikini Atoll and kiteboard there.” At the time, I thought it was a joke. Yet, here we are—we actually visited Bikini. As they say, “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.”

A permit is required to visit the atoll.

…

Continue Reading >>


2026, Happy New Year!

Posted on by by Posted in Greetings, Pacific Islands, Sailings

sv Bad Bunny current route before sunrise, sailing from Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands to Kosrae Island in the Federated States of Micronesia on January 1, 2026.

It is the first day of 2026 at sea sailing in the Western Pacific Ocean where the depth is right now, more than 16,000 feet.

We have been just by ourselves more than a month spending Christmas in Bikini Atoll and New Year’s Day at sea. We have one more day sailing to arrive in the Federated States of Micronesia, a group of Caroline Islands.

It is on my watch looking in the dark sky but with countless bright stars.

…

Continue Reading >>


Rongelap Atoll: An Island of Empty, Never-Used Houses

Posted on by by Posted in Marshall Islands, Pacific Islands, Sailings

Church on Rongelap Island, Rongelap Atoll, Marshall Islands

We enjoyed great downwind sailing from Rongerik Island (an uninhabited island) to Rongelap Island—an island where only three locals currently live and work.

On the way, we caught a Mahi Mahi. When the fishing reel drag let out a sudden, rapid sound, John shouted, “Fish on!” The cats became motionlessly focused. I quietly said, “Oh no.” Gaffing the fish is usually my job, and I was relieved that it worked on the first try this time. It seems the trick is to gaff behind the gills.

Rongelap Atoll is about 75 miles from Bikini Atoll;

…

Continue Reading >>


Rongerik Atoll: The “Galapagos” of the Marshall Islands

Posted on by by Posted in Marshall Islands, Pacific Islands, Sailings

Beach on Rongerik Island, Rongerik Atoll, the Marshall Islands

An uninhabited Atoll! We were the sole human beings during our stay. There is no airport or pier. I read that some Bikini islanders were temporarily moved here by the U.S. Government so Bikini could be used for nuclear tests in 1946. Despite its history, I can say this is the most beautiful island I have ever seen.

Approaching the anchorage, we were surprised by many friendly birds hovering over the boat. Stepping onto the beach for the first time, countless birds in the blue sky flew over us,

…

Continue Reading >>


Posts By Month

Top