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s/v Bella Star: Bella Star is for sale
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Thursday, April 24, 2014. Bella Star is for sale. By Nicole and Aaron. After seven fantastic years together, it's time to say fair winds and following seas to our beloved. Over the last three years, she's allowed us to visit some of the most beautiful places on the planet and meet some of the most wonderful and interesting people. We’re going to miss her for sure, but with any luck, she'll find new owners who will take her on exciting, new adventures. She's always wanted to visit Fiji! A special thanks t...
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s/v Bella Star: March 2014
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Sunday, March 9, 2014. Heroic cruiser injured in Mexico. Coming to the aid of someone in need is exactly what we would’ve expected from our cruising friend John on. But hearing about the aftermath of his life-changing injury shocked and saddened us. Please take a moment to read about John’s courageous story – and about the strength and solidarity of the cruising community – on. S/v Eagle’s blog. And remember to always use the kill switch on your outboard! Hope to see pictures of you back aboard. We'd lov...
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s/v Bella Star: February 2014
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Monday, February 17, 2014. A birthday road trip. It was a big weekend. We were celebrating Aaron’s birthday! So we packed up the car and headed a few hours southeast of Auckland to one of New Zealand’s favorite summertime destinations … the Coromandel Peninsula. This bit of land juts into the South Pacific Ocean and is known for giant green-lipped mussels, beautiful white beaches, lush forests and dramatic vistas. Check, check, check and check. The resident kitty demanded lots of love. The water temperat...
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s/v Bella Star: March 2013
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Friday, March 29, 2013. Week 1: Galapagos to Marquesas. Hi from the high seas! Its day seven of our passage from the Galapagos to French Polynesia. Were 880 miles or so in, with a couple thousand to go. But whos counting? The winds are giving us some of our best sailing days yet, although conditions are generally overcast (very Seattle-like), chilly and squally. Its a good thing I didnt put our long undies in the deep storage! Ill leave you with a haiku I wrote yesterday:. Just like skipping stones.
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s/v Bella Star: August 2013
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Wednesday, August 7, 2013. Kia Orana–Welcome to the Cook Islands! What do left-side drivers, fish and chips, the English language and palm trees have in common? If you guessed the island of Rarotonga in the Cook Islands, you’re a winner. And speaking of winners, this place is pretty great. Really great, in fact. Did I mention they have fish and chips? On approach to Rarotonga, the Cook Islands. After leaving Bora Bora, we found steep, confused seas and not quite enough wind to run comfortably downwind.
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s/v Bella Star: December 2013
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Tuesday, December 31, 2013. Buying a car in New Zealand? So you’ve just arrived in New Zealand, and after months of life on the sea, you’re looking forward to doing a bit of land travel. Sweet! Before you hand over those Kiwi dollars for a used car or caravan, though, make sure you have all the information. Buying a used car can be a crapshoot for sure, but in New Zealand, the odds of getting stuck with a lemon are significantly reduced. Here’s what happened to us:. Having a car was awesome! Being a Sund...
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s/v Bella Star: November 2013
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Saturday, November 30, 2013. Landfall in New Zealand. After spending 2 1/2 years sailing nearly 15,000 nautical miles through 11 countries on 1 little sailboat, we’ve arrived on the other side of the world. Hello, New Zealand! On passage from Minerva Reef to New Zealand under a reefed main and jib. Moments after arriving to the Q dock in New Zealand, and moments before the crack of Aaron’s anchor-down beer. Buzzy with the excitement of our arrival (in New Zealand! View from our slip in the Opua Marina.
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s/v Bella Star: April 2013
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Wednesday, April 17, 2013. Landfall in French Polynesia. Stars were fading, and the sky was just beginning to lighten to the east when I saw it. Land! Still some 35 miles off in the distance, the island of Hiva Oa rose from the sea. Wed made it to French Polynesia! At that moment, smiling to myself, I felt absolutely fantastic, and I held back my urge to scream, Land ho! At this moment, a giant peak, lush and green, looms over the hills surrounding the bay. Palm trees and other exotic tropical plants...
