Sweat, Systems and a Quick Escaoe

The last two weeks have flown by in the weirdest way. Every day has been a new puzzle to solve, some small, some frustrating, all necessary. I’ve been itching to start the real journey, to get out into the open Pacific and finally feel like I’m cruising. But instead, I’ve been bouncing between boat supply stores and Carrefours, sweating through my shirt while hunting for everything from hose clamps to more fuet. The store managers all know me by now, and a few have even been teaching me some Tahitian to help me get by. But honestly, my favorite way to communicate has been the shaka. What feels like an outdated surfer hand gesture back in the States is universal here, it stands in for thank you, hello, no worries, and just about everything in between.

Some of these boat jobs have really had me stumped. Like the generator, what was supposed to be a 30-minute fix turned into a five-hour mess of taking everything apart, just to realize it was a spark plug issue. Some boat jobs have been a bit humbling, specifically the toilets. I won't go into much detail but I spent a whole day swapping out joker valves in all the heads and I wish I would have worn a thicker mask (glamorous, I know), but the last thing I want is a plumbing disaster mid-ocean.

The heat hasn’t helped either. I originally wanted a boat with AC, but options were tight and I ended up choosing one with better space and layout, but no air conditioning. So yeah… it’s been sweat city. The upside is that I’m slowly getting used to it, and I keep telling myself I’ll adapt in another week or so. Plus, temperatures should start dropping a bit once we get out of Tahiti.

After ten days of fixing things in an anchorage that felt a bit too tight for comfort, I decided to give myself a little mental break. I took the boat out to Moorea for the weekend. Just a quick hop, but it was exactly what I needed. The water there is unreal, crystal clear and glowing turquoise, and for the first time since arriving, I actually felt like I was starting the trip I’ve been planning for so long.

In Moorea, I pressure-washed the boat, organized a bunch of gear, and spent a solid chunk of time just reading and soaking it in. It reminded me why I’m here, not just to fix things, but to live. To explore. To slow down.

I’ve also started gearing up for the kind of adventures I want to have out here. I’ve been on Facebook Marketplace a little too often, but I scored some awesome stuff: a couple of paddleboards, a windsurf setup, a kite, and even an e-foil. I might be broke by the end of this trip, but I’ll have one hell of a time getting there.

That said, I’ve definitely been a bit isolated these last two weeks. I’ve been so focused on the boat that I haven’t really made the effort to meet new people or get back into that social rhythm I had in the first couple weeks. But all that’s about to change.

Bernie, my old friend from Miami and Barcelona, is joining me. He quit his job just last week and decided to jump in on this crazy ride. He lands in a few days, and I couldn’t be more excited. Having a friend on board will be a huge shift, not just for splitting up the never-ending to-do list, but for sharing the moments that make all of this worth it. It’s one thing to see a perfect sunset on your own, but it hits different when you’ve got someone to laugh with, vent to, and get lost in the adventure with.

Once Bernie gets here, we’ll knock out a few final prep tasks and then head out—sailing west for a bit before turning back toward Australia. First stop: Makatea, a rugged little island with cliffs and caves, and then onward to the Tuamotus. I’ve heard they’re a sailor’s dream, full of wild beauty and empty anchorages.

It finally feels like the beginning of something. More soon.