It has been a very long time and we have had some hurdles to overcome, so if you have a few minutes check our blog. https://benger.blogspot.com/2018/11/finally-long-update-and-big-thank-yo...

Another day of motoring. The dinghy davit bracket broke so we have jury rigged a repair until tomorrow. Safely anchored with more boats than we have seen since Fiji!

After the longest 56 hours of our life we are anchored in a rolly anchorage just outside of Merang on the island of Belitung. We didn't have a lick of wind the whole time and we have actually burned through over half of our reserve tank! We have NEVER done that before. Bad calculations and bad luck I guess. We normally burn around a gallon (or 4 liters) of fuel an hour. With such a dirty boat bottom and the fact we fought adverse currents all the way our consumption was almost double....

Another 24 hours of motoring! Not the best way to travel, but we are about 22 hours from our destination. We have been dodging huge tankers and cargo ships as they funnel through the narrow shallow waters in this part of Indonesia... Over the last 8 hours we have encountered no less than 3 per hour...

We got underway at 0 dark thirty hours (0430 local) and have made 52 miles, motoriNg all day. We are now at UTC +7 on our way to Belitung Island (the NW side). We were forecast to have some wind but so far not seen anything. If we don't get any wind our ETA will be Thursday, and Friday if we get some wind. (Lets hope for some wind).

Safely anchored at 0730 in Bawean Harbor. Will get some sleep now.

We are still on our way to Bawean Island. We decided not to use the motor so are drifting long under sail at 2-3 knots. Thus we will arrive tomorrow morning... It will be another night of dodging unlit fishing boats and fish attracting devices.... We have been dragging lures for two days... not even a nibble... Don't think there any fish left in Indonesia...

We made the decision to start heading toward Bawean Island. Our ETA is late tomorrow afternoon. Our weather information predicted wind, but that hasn't happened so far....

Safely anchored beside our friends, Amy & David (SV Starry Horizons) on the north shore of Bali. Will get some provisions, rest and relaxation before we head on..

We decided to push on to Bali. Our ETA will be early tomorrow morning if this wind holds. Finally a day of nice sailing! All is well on Blowin Bubbles.

After a week of motoring, we are finally sailing. Slowly but in the right direction... We have no idea if or where we will end up tonight. If we can keep the wind we will overnight toward Bali. If it dies we will look for someplace to anchor before dark.

We are still underway today... hopefully we will find someplace to anchor in the next few hours. It has been a long day of motoring. Wind just came up in the last hour...

We arrived in Gili Lawa Laut after stopping for a nice dive in Siaba Besar. We are moored and will likely head west in the next day or so.

We had an awesome hike in the Komodo National Park this morning Then we motored 13 NM to "The Pink Beach".... It doesn't look very pink, but it looks beautiful... We will stay here for the night.

We pulled anchor this morning and motored 13 miles to Komodo National Park. Our plan is to remain here overnight and take a tour in the morning.

We did a short motor to Labuan Bajo. The main town before the Komodo National Park. We will pick up some provisions here and make our way to the park tomorrow.,

Safely arrived at Gili Bodo (Sabibi Island) Will stay a day or two and check out the reefs.

Had a nice downwind sail today.

We went snorkeling early this morning in the 17 Island National Park, then decided to move a little farther west. We are anchored in Lingeh Bay.

We have arrived at the 17 Island National Park. We will stay for the day tomorrow and see what we can see... There is suppose to be some good snorkeling here and some interesting critters...

Made a day run to Nagar Ujong, Indonesia. No wind again so had to motorsail most of the way. We are safely anchored for the night.

After an uneventful sail/motor, we are anchored about 8km from Maumere, the biggest city on Flores Island. We will provision here and try to buy some fuel. We should stay a day or two before continuing west toward Komoto National Park.

We moved a few miles from town today. We are anchored in a lovely "atol" where the snorkeling was awesome. When we dropped the anchor into 45', the water was so clear we were able to watch it set.... That doesn't happen very often! We will travel another 30 or so miles west tomorrow.

All is well.

Still on our way west.... Just past Alore Island on our way toward the Komodo National Park.

Still on our way to Alor Island

On our way to Alor Island. Should arrive in a few days. Just started to motor after wind died....

At 1700 (local) yesterday, we downloaded wind files and discovered that the wind was forecast to come from the south for the next few days. This would have created a much less than desirable wind angle, so we pulled the anchor and headed out overnight. We had a few hours with the wind well up over 24 knots. We double reefed the main, single reefed the mizzen and had just a patch of jib out and still managed hourly averages over 7 knots.

Just after midnight the wind subsided a bit and we had a pleasant sail for the rest of the night. We had to slow the boat at around 0300 so we could arrive at Wayagan Island in daylight.

All is well

75 miles to go! We should arrive in Tual late this afternoon. Caught a lovely 15kg Wahoo yesterday... The freezer is full...

Light winds for the last 24 hours... Caught a baby sharks.... Tricky business getting them off the hook and set free! All is well, appendages in tact...

We are dodging the Indonesian fishing fleet! No less than a half dozen radar and AIS tagets at any given time. This leg has offered us everything! Expect now to arrive in Tual on Tuesday. 320 NM to go.

A much slower 24 hours. Still sailing toward Tual..450 NM tp go.. All is well.

We are well clear of the Torres Strait. We have had a very quiet night and the wind is down considerably. We think we might be another 5-6 days before we arrive in Tual, Indonesia. All is well on Blowin Bubbles.

Almost through the Torres Strait. Winds 20+ knots all night... Very scary running in 15-20 meter water. 160 NM last 24 hours, 697 NM to Tual, Indonesia. All is well.

Lovely (near) full moon tonight. making good time toward the Torres Strait. 880 NM to Tual. 150 mile day!

On our way to Tual, Indonesia. Left Port Moresby under cloudy skies at 2045 UTC. 960 NM to go. ETA next Monday. All is well

Getting ready to enter Port Moresby Harbour. All is well. Thank you for all you do.

Had light winds for most of the last 24 hours. Our ETA is now early Tuesday morning. 127 NM to the outer reef. All is well.

Light winds and should still arrive late tomorrow (Monday). All is well on Blowin Bubbles...

Just had a very uncomfortable night. High winds with lots of shifting wind. That said, still on track for a late Monday arrival in Port Moresby, PNG. 350 miles to go.

Approx 500 NM to go to PNG. ETA Monday or Tuesday. All is well.

Light winds and funky following seas for the last 12 hours. Have been wing on wing with two head sails for 4 days now. 600 NM to Port Moresby, PNG. Anticipated ETA sometime Monday.

A quiet 24 hours of downwind sailing. Right now the winds are light... Wondering over next 48 hours about wind velocity???

A very uneventful 24 hours. Just the way we like it. 850nm to go to Port Moresby, PNG

Halfway to Port Moresby, PNG. Brisk winds and following seas... All is well.

Underway using engine. Wind is gone... Started motoring at 1700 UTC. We will pass Vanuatu during the day today. Then make a course for Port Moresby, PNG. 1550 NM to go.

Nice wind all night. average speed since midnight almost 7 knots.

on route to Port Moresby, PNG All is well. ETA 11 more days..

On our way to Suva.

In Port Denerau for the Bula Festival weekend...

Nicely anchored in Saweni Bay for the night

Returned to Fiji... All is well here in Musket Cove

All is well in Musket Cove. Lots of rain and wind.

Another's lovely day in Fiji... Good morning from Musket Cove

safely tucked into Musket Cove for the weekend.

Safely anchored in Momi Bay. A lovely sail west along the south shore of Viti Levu yesterday. Dead downwind, wing on wing. Arrived in Momi Bay at 2000 (local). Will make our way to Musket Cove today.

A short move to the Suva YC. Waiting for a better weather window to return to the west side of Viti Levu.

On our way to Suva... Lovely overnight sail with mostly favorable winds.... It's time to see the dentist again...

On our way to Vuda Point. ETA 1600.

d: 30/04/18 07:16 UTC Moved to Blue Lagoon. Safely anchored. All is well.

Safely arrived at Yasawa Island, Fiji at 2000 (local) last night. Anchored in 30'. All is well.

72 nm to go to the Yasawas. Motoring. Lots of rain/wind/squalls in the last 24 hours. Everything benign now.

On our way to the Yasawas, Fiji. Departed Rotuma at 1300 (local) yesterday. So far, a very bumpy ride... lots of squalls. 186 NM to go.

sp: 0.00 Rotuma is one of the most naturally beautiful places we have ever been. This is what cruising must have been like 20-30 years ago. We are the second boat to check in here in 2018! What a special treat... We plan on heading south towards Viti Levu on Friday or Saturday.

sp: 6.0 16 miles from Rotuma... Should arrive today. All is well.

Another 24 hours of leisurely sailing in paradise... Should arrive in Rotuma tomorrow. 138 NM to go.

Sailed in light winds last 22 hours. Entered a squall zone about 0430. Now motoring. All is well.

sp: 3.0 Another 24 hours of very light winds. Nice calm seas so Shelley got lots of baking done! 294 NM to Rotuma, Fiji

d: 19/04/18 06:15 UTC Another 24 hours of very light winds... 347 NM to Rotuma, Fiji

d: 18/04/18 06:57 UTC Motored all night... At first light we put up the asymmetrical... finally quiet..... Should have light winds and calm seas for the day.

d: 17/04/18 06:13 UTC Very light winds overnight. 533NM to Rotuma

Sailing close hauled toward Rotuma. An uneventful 24 hours.

We are south of the equator! Caught a 38lb Wahoo yesterday... All is well!

Underway to Rotuma

We will be underway at 0 dark thirty Saturday morning. Heading for Rotuma.

All is well in Tarawa, Kiribati. We had an awesome season in The Marshall Islands. Just now waiting for a weather window to start heading south to Fiji.

Over the equator. Will arrive Tarawa later today. All is well.

Another 24 hours of spectacular sailing.... Light winds, calm seas.... Good thing this doesn't happen all the time or EVERYONE would want to be out here.... We will be crossing the equator today. Can we continue to send reports?

285 to Tarawa. An extraordinary 24 hours of sailing. Light air, flat seas, clear sky.... We are not breaking any speed records, but thoroughly enjoying this passage...

sp: 5.0 405 Miles to Tarawa. Would appreciate a little weather info between 05S and 02N around 175E.

sp: 5.2 514 nm from Tarawa. Thunder and lightning all night. Occasional squalls. Motorsailed all night...

Hoping this will clear today?

anchored in the south end of Funafuti. We would appreciate it if David would look at the weather over the next few days as there are a few boats heading this way from Fiji and we are looking at moving farther north... Thank you.

Anchored in the south end of Funafuti. We would appreciate it if David would look at the weather over the next few days as there are a few boats heading this way from Fiji and we are looking at moving farther north... Thank you.

Arrived Funafuti safe and sound... All is well. Thank you.

5nm from Funafuti. Good progress on their trip to the Marshalls

Motorsailing toward Funafuti after a night of very squally weather. Approx. 300 nm to go. It looks like a day of iky weather....

It looks like we have missed the current weather window..... We are happy to delay our departure until later next week... Thank you for the forecast this morning.

It looks like we have missed the current weather window..... We are happy to delay our departure until later next week... Thank you for the forecast this morning.

looking to go north to Futuna - from Wallis

Got into Wallis just before the strong weather

130 to Wallis

On our way to Wallis. Left Vani Bay at 0530. ETA Friday.

Leaving Savusavu at 0900. Heading for Wallis

Still trying to get to Savusavu. Hopefully will arrive today. Plan to check out on Monday. Then off too Wallis. C- 089T, sp 6.5knots. Motorsailing to wind.

We have an early start heading to Vanua Levu. ETA 1700 today. 70 mtg. All is well.

passing lautoka area on their way to Wallis. Guess the engine is on!

Underway to Savusavu to check out. Looking for a weather window to Wallis Monday? Tuesday?

Thank you for your kind note. Shelley is doing well... hope to make our way to Musket by Saturday.

We have had a busy weekend. Shelley hasn't been feeling well and on Friday had emergency surgery in Suva to remove her gallbladder. We are back on the boat in Saweni Bay. All is well

Still in Sawanei Bay.... We have had some medical issues, getting close to a solution...

Anchored in Saweni Bay.

1.5 hours from Vuda Marina. Went through the pass at 0200, anchored by the range lights till dawn. All is well.

Planning an overnight to Vuda.

Safely anchored in Namalta, Kadavu. Waiting for a WW to overnight back to Vuda...

Moved a few miles yesterday. Had lovely weather for a change. Hoping to see some Manta Rays today...

Moved a few miles to KOROLUVU Bay. All is well.

Still tucked into Vatulutu Bay in Southern Kadavu. Lots of rain and crapppy weather.... all is well.

Tucked into the southern bay at kadavu.

After a rainy day, all is well.

Safely tucked into Kavala Bay

Also on our way to Kindavu. All is well

Safely tucked into Beqa Island.

Just moved over to Suva harbor.... outside Royal Suva YC.

Safely anchored in Suva.

Underway to Suva. ETA mid afternoon today. All is well... Swiftsure is gaining on us...

Safely anchored in the northwest bay of Gau Island... All is well.

Underway to Gau Island. Motorsailing, hoping for a bit of a shift east.... all is well.

We are still tucked into the bay here at Toro Island... we would like to confirm that the wind will shift a little east tomorrow morning. We are trying to get south to Gau Island. Cheers.

Moored in the bay at Toro Island.

Underway to Toro Island

On mooring at Paradise Resort Taviuni

We finally moved! But not far. We went 11 miles to Paradise resort on Taviuni Island to do some exploring in the next day or so...

All is well

Still in Viani Bay, Fiji All is well.

Back in Viani Bay... waiting for Swiftsure...

We are anchored off Qamea Island waiting for a weather window to the Lau Group... Hopefully Saturday...

All is well.

heading to QUEMA Island.

wind 25 knots ESE

1-2 meter seas

bar 1012

Enjoying Viani Bay.... All is well.

Tucked in behind the reef. Asking about SwiftSure who have just reported in near tarawa.

Alive and well in Fiji....

Anchored near Kerikeri. Will be heading to Fiji mid April.

on our way to Kawau Island..

Underway to Whangarei. Should arrive late tday

On route to Whangarei. Will anchor along the way this evening.

Arrived Opua 2100 - November 1 2016. All is well.

Should arrive Opua before 2000 today. at 0615, 76nm to go.

Still waiting for the wind to shift, should make Opua in the next 48 hours.

sp: 5.5 We have had some very funky weather over the last 24 hours. I think we may be in your skip zone today, so am requesting a wind forecast for the following positions and time Thank you, Kyle & Shelley

Have been motoring since 0300. Almost no wind and what wind there is, is from the south....

Uneventful 24 hours... 488 nm to Opua. Looking at Monday arrival. Would appreciate wind forecast in 24 hours at 29s 179e, 48 hours at 33s 173e, and opua on Monday... Thanks

Was able to sail all night. Seas are calm and it's starting to get FREEKING COLD! Our poor bodies are not used to this....SEND HEAT! 605 nm to Opua.

Lost all wind in the night. have motored and drifted for the last few hours... Any chance of wind today?

Underway at 0700. heading to NZ

We think a Tuesday or Wednesday departure from Minerva may work now... waiting on weather...

Today we moved to the south west corner of the reef. The wind has now clocked south and we plan to leave in the morning (Monday) or Tuesday, depending on tomorrow's forecast.

Still in Minerva. Looking for decent weather on Monday or Tuesday.

will stay at N Minerva today

Waiting in Minerva Reef. One boat may leave today. We think we may stay a few more days. Will wait till the next front passes.

We are looking for a weather widow to continue to NZ. Our plan is to head for 30S 179E, then turn for Opua.

Arrived Minerva reef. We are the third vessel here. One more should arrive in the next few hours.

113 to N Minerva so have slowed down to enter in the light

Rain off and on all night. Made 154nm in first 24 hours. 123 to go to Minerva

Will be departing for Minerva Reef at approximately 0700.

looking like a departure at noon on Monday. We think likely a run to Minerva, then wait for the next window. Will confirm plan Monday morning.

We are looking at a Sunday or Monday departure for Minerva... Weather?

Thinking about a window on Sunday or Monday.... Weather thoughts?

Storm is over... FLAT seas.. all is well.

The storm is upon us. Winds are 20-30 knots from the north but all is well.

Waiting for a ww to NZ - It looks like whatever is coming is on its way....

At anchor waiting for weather window to NZ.

Still waiting in Tonga Tapu.

Still waiting for a weather window to Minerva

We are looking for a weather window to Minerva later this week.

We are looking for a departure from Tonga Tapu around Wednesday or Thursday this week.. Our hope is to travel to Minerva Reef and wait there for a window to NZ.

At Anchor in Tonga Tapu.

Another sunny day!

sp: 0 Another beautiful day in Tonga Tapu. 9 boats in anchorage this morning.

At anchor in Tonga Tapu. Testing SSB position reporting. Please let me know if I am doing this correctly. Thank you.

At anchor waiting a weather window to NZ