This photo seems appropriate, Kialoa II
looking stately, sailing away. She is a fine yacht and through her my life
has been enriched. However, I am happy to be free of her demands, it feels
good to retire and have time for other activities.The new owner, a Dutch businessman, loves classic yachts and will take excellent care of Kialoa II. He has a supporting family and with them intends to make full use of his new ship. And I am not completely separated from my adventurous home of the past 14 years, we will be able to sail on her when she is not busy. He will take her to the Mediterranean and eventually Holland, but may remain in the South Pacific until next year.
The photo was taken in New Zealand during the 1998 Russell Yacht Club Invitational Tall Ships Regatta, Bay of Islands. We had a slow start but caught the yacht in the distance and were first to finish.
I helped prepare Kialoa for Jos, the new owner and then sailed to Tahiti, leaving Honolulu 9 April. After leaving Kialoa in Tahiti I spent a week on the beautiful neighboring island of Moorea, visiting friends and enjoying snorkeling and sightseeing. Very interesting to spend some time with the mixed families, western men and Polynesian wives. An idyllic world, but not without some drawbacks.
And now??? We rented a house in Honolulu, way up in Manoa valley near to the tropical rain forest and a ways from the bustle (and craziness?) of tourist dominated Waikiki and downtown Honolulu. Kids in school, sister-in-law visiting, and at the moment I am catching up on paperwork, newsletter, finances, all the stuff that had been put off. Plans being considered include travel, a rowing boat project, maybe flying, and I do desire to write. But no commitments or schedule yet. However, we plan to leave Honolulu in the fall and return to California in time for Maria to enter school, in my childhood hometown of Dixon.