1991-2000

Travel Log No. 1 October, 1991
The long awaited Inauguration Voyage. Vancouver-San Francisco-San Diego

We start out by sharing our last minute hectic preparations and panic before cutting the ties with home, friends and family and setting out on our "once in a lifetime" adventure. Come with us on our very first ocean passage, feel the "highs & lows" onboard a small craft at sea and the exhilaration of making land fall. Explore the fabulous California Coast with its never-ending treats and surprises and sample some of the chores and routines onboard an offshore cruiser.

Travel Log No. 2 April, 1992
The Logistics of Offshore Cruising. Mexico

Here, we describe some of the problems, challenges and chores involved in our new and "carefree" lifestyle - some anticipated, some not. It is also about trading fresh lobster and sipping Margaritas wiggling toes in the sand, dinghy river trips in the jungle and exploring the Highland by "chicken bus", serenading the Mexican Navy and celebrating Xmas with cruisers from all over the world, "banditos" and "friendly inspections".

Travel Log No. 3 April, 1992
"Why are you rushing through Paradise"? Costa Rica & Panama

About patrol boats and guns, rough weather and accidental jibe, hurt crew and helpful natives, rickety docks and squalls in the night. But it is also about enchanting encounters, spectacular scenery, trading with natives and visiting a remote Indian village deep in the jungle. So much to see. So much to experience. "Why are you rushing through Paradise?", ask squatters from New York who have settled on beautiful Isla Peradita. It is time to slow down and smell the roses.

Travel Log No. 4 July, 1992
From the Pacific to the Atlantic. Panama

Meet an old hippie couple from Berlin living their dream on a precious, tropical island, come with us through the Panama Canal, experience a close call with a freighter and see the U.S. Navy in action. Share with us a rendezvous with the past, discover dangerous creatures of the sea and witness incredible poverty and crime.

Travel Log No. 5 July, 1992
"In the Wake of the Old Pirates". San Blas, Colombia, Honduras and Belize

We help a Kuna Indian family transport a dead man on Nor Siglar's deck to his funeral, meet descendants of old pirates and buccaneers, encounter near disaster on treacherous reefs and rocks, enjoy breathtakingly beautiful islands, succulent tropical fruits, fascinating sights and sounds of the jungle, friendly natives of ancient cultures, and much, much more.

Travel Log No. 6 October, 1992
"From the Peaceful Bay of Honduras to the Tropical Jungles of Guatemala"

Wow! A virtual diving Mecca completely to ourselves! Tales of hurricanes and Duncan's Folly, shallow river bars and theft in the night. We seek shelter from the hurricane season in the Maya jungle, jump "chicken buses" and explore the Highlands' live volcanoes and earth quake damaged cities of the past and colourful, bustling markets where men embroider and women weave. About rapes at gunpoint and money in the shoes, stool samples and Montezuma's Revenge, parasites and amoebas. The Skipper is diagnosed with Hookworms!

Travel Log No. 7 December, 1992
From the Spectacular Coral Reefs of Belize to Yucatan, Mexico's Tourist Mecca Numero Uno

Free diving with young natives and trading fresh lobster with canned fruit. About cockroaches and cholera, cheap Indian labour and armed guards in the pitch-black jungle, medicine doctors and Nature's own Remedies, Aztec temples, howling monkeys and rare toucans. Meet Finn with a wife and child in every port and experience the Joy of Cruising: Blistering heat, wet dinghy rides and Jacques Cousteau's famous Blue Hole.

Travel Log No. 8 March, 1993
From Castro's Cuba to the "Land of the Free"

We find the Bastion of Communism in the West without charts, receive a memorable welcome on "Cuba Libre" and Havana cigars, see how a 35-year trade embargo has affected the people of Fidel's off limits paradise, experience the traumas of rationing and empty the bilges for our hungry friends. Come with us home to Guillermo and his Mama, to Papa Hemingway's favourite hangouts and to washrooms with 4 sheets of TP and no soap. Then across the Strait of Florida to freedom and the affluence of the Western World, where we prepare for the big Atlantic crossing.

Travel Log No. 9 March, 1993
Nor Siglar in the Caribbean.
Also Cruising the Bahamas, Turcs & Caicos, Dominican Republic,Puerto Rico and the British Virgin Islands

About straw markets and ancient iguanas, nudists and Christmas in February. We snorkel in James Bond's caves and are boarded by the U.S. Coast Guard near the Haitian coast, celebrate Carnival in the Dominican Republic, have visitors from afar and meet British Royalty. About fistfights and bribes for the cheapest beer, perfect gentlemen and hidden treasures, floating sex and entertainment resorts...

Travel Log No. 10 November, 1993
The Atlantic Crossing. From Antigua to Bermuda, Azores to Norway. Also Cruising the Leeward Islands,

Sail with us to the Leeward Islands and experience the Joie de Vivre of the French, the last of the lost Caribs, crazy casinos and inexperienced charter skippers. Cross the "Big Pond" with us, go through hell to reach heaven, taste a "Dark & Stormy", wait out a tropical disturbance, watch the main sail tear and Anne hit her nose puking in the toilet, haul in a huge Tuna and delight over playful dolphins. Trials & Tribulations abound - but it is all worth it: The Grand Finale!

Travel Log No. 11 July, 1995
Norway to Spain. Also Calling on Shetland & the Orkneys, Scotland, Ireland and Portugal

After wintering onboard in Norway, Lillehammer Olympics and lots of skiing, we head south for warmer climes, calling on old Viking settlements in Shetland & the Orkneys, the oldest yacht club in the world and the port wineries of Oporto. We finally chuck the old, raggedy dinghy, hoist a new main and set records, pausing for Xmas in Carmen's beautiful Sevilla and dinner with the hospitable fishermen of Sardinia. Watch out for Napoleon and the treacherous anchorages of Corsica!

Travel Log No. 12 July, 1995
Gibraltar to Greece. Also Cruising the Balearics, Corsica, Sardinia & Sicily

Come with us to fascinating "Rock of Gibraltar", the picturesque "calas" and caves of Menorca and the healing sulphur pools of Isolas Aeolis. Sit out stormy weather and hair raising anchor conditions with us in Corsica have dinner with newfound friends in Sardinia, climb the fiery volcano of Aetna and visit ancient Acropolis refreshing history lessons of the distant past.

Travel Log No. 13 August, 1996
Eastern Mediterranean. Greece, Turkey, North Cyprus and Israel

Exploring "the Cradle of Civilization" and learning ancient history all over again. Seeing is believing! Entering Turkey, crossroad between Europe and Asia, experiencing close contact with people of foreign religions and cultures, comparing notes and sharing a simple meal in a shack. Sightseeing through the Bible, getting hit by the "Mother of all Meltemis" and much, much more!

Travel Log No. 14 December, 1996
West Mediterranean. Malta, Tunisia, Algeria, Gibraltar & Morocco.
"Trials and Tribulations"

Things don't always happen as planned. Instead of crossing the Atlantic, the Skipper ends up on the operating table in Casablanca. In our misfortune, we find great friendship and generosity among the poorest of poor. Also, experience the Fortress Island of the heroic Maltese, Anne's challenges in the macho Muslim world and Murphy's many escapades onboard. We seek refuge in fundamentalist Algeria, receive round the clock armed surveillance and unwanted attention...

Travel Log No. 15 Feb/March, 1997
A Progress Report from the Skipper In Mid Atlantic

Recorded in transit: Highs and lows of an Atlantic crossing as perceived by the Skipper - not necessarily his crew.

Travel Log No. 16 April, 1998
Back across the Atlantic to the Caribbean, through the Panama Canal
Galapagos & French Polynesia: "Here we come"!
Blowing with the Trades through the West Indies to Venezuela, the ABC Islands and San Blas

Follow us on two ocean crossings. But where are the trades? Rock'n and Roll, nasty gales, wild sleighrides on the crest of 5 meter waves and nightly visit by the Noise Brigade. Trinidad awaits us with M & R, steel bands and calypso. About Christmas with friends in Paradise, spectacular reef anchorages in Venezuela, crystal clear water of the ABC islands, unique rendezvous and "Gift of Eye Sight" in San Blas, the fascinating creatures of Galapagos and how El Nino plays havoc with the "pacific" Pacific.

Travel Log No. 17 December, 1998
Tidbits from Nor Siglar's Adventures in the South Seas. Cruising the Magic Islands of French Polynesia, the Kingdom of Tonga & Friendly Fiji

We lose passports and credit cards and have to change to Plan B. About strong currents, uncharted rocks and reefs and a dramatic rescue operation. About "hula-hula", sensuous women with flowers in the hair, macho men with intricate tattoos and trading black pearls where they are harvested. We learn to weave baskets and mats and observe the making of tapa-cloth in Tonga where the 300 lb. 80-year old King swims around Nor Siglar during his weekly exercise program.

Travel Log No. 18(*) December, 1999
From the exotic Islands of the South Seas to the Pirate infested Waters of troubled South East Asia. Cruising Fiji, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, PNG, Australia, Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia

Learn about the "Fiji Factor", cyclones and macho traditions of Vanuatu; "kastom dance" in the "buff" and "land diving", "the coming of age" and kava ceremonies, "Black Magic" and bride prices. We spite a "state of emergency" in the Solomons, meet the rescuer of JFK, trade with the best carvers in the Pacific and donate eye glasses to the descendents of the head hunters. In Indonesia, a brush with real danger, pirate infested waters and troubled shores, bloodthirsty dragons and human-like orangutans. Last but not least, electrolysis and two groundings! Are we getting blasé or what???

Travel Log No. 19 December, 2000
The Homecoming
Thailand to the Maldives, across the Indian Ocean to the Saudi Arabian Peninsula, up the Red Sea to Israel, through the Mediterranean north to Norway

Memorable millennium celebrations and a vicious circle of misfortune: We have two break-ins, damage the jib, get caught in a huge fish net, battle the Red Sea Northers and infamous pilots of the Suez Canal -and transit the Gulf of Aden, notorious for pirate attacks. We squeak by. But the good outweighs the bad: Swimming with giant manta rays in the Maldives, exploring the unique "marsas" and "khors" of Sudan and befriending the beautiful and proud peoples of Eritrea, the completion of our circumnavigation in Israel-and cocktails with Shimon Peres! Two months later, a grand finale in Norway, marking the end of 9 years at sea and 15 of living aboard. Behind us are 56,000 nautical miles and landfalls in 76 countries and island colonies. An era is over.