As you read, click on the pictures for more photos of that area.
This trip really started in Fort Lauderdale. I had been looking after another boat which was for sale and the broker arrived with a client to have a look. They decided against this boat but in conversation had asked me if I would be interested in running their boat once they had bought it.
“Sure “ I said.
“Give me a call when you have found a boat”.
I think I had also asked what their intentions were and they answered.
“ We would like to sail around the world”. The thought of this was quite exciting but realizing they had little experience I wondered if this would become a reality.
A few months later I received their call and went to see the boat they had purchased. Everything seemed in tact and the owners had some ideas about making changes and improvements to the boat for such an undertaking. Arrangements were made and the boat was taken out of the water and work started. In July of 1998 we headed north to Chesapeake Bay for sea trials. Several weeks later we were back in Lauderdale and we made minor changes to a few things and we were off again this time on route to the Bahamas, then through the Windward Passage and on to Jamaica. Xmas and New Year was spent there.
We continued onto Cayman Islands, then to Yucatan Peninsula to Mexico where we took the boat out of the water and painted the bottom in preparation for the trip. My brother flew in from South Africa to join us as crew and would stay onboard for the Pacific crossing. 
From Mexico we headed for Light House reef 40 nautical miles east of Belize City where we were able to do some fantastic diving as this is a famous dive spot. We continued onto Roatan Island, which belongs to Honduras. We dove again and enjoyed this wonderful place. On one of the neighboring islands we saw the damage that hurricane Mitch had done a few months earlier.
By now we were getting close to our date for arrival in Panama and we continued southwards stopping off at the small Colombian islands of San Andrea's and Providencia.
We arrived in Colon, Panama, which is the city on the Caribbean side, and it was now June ’99 and we started preparations for the Panama canal transit. Here we also met up with the other boats like us, who had joined a small rally for the Pacific crossing to New Zealand to celebrate the coming of the Millennium.
Once through the canal we stopped in Balboa on the Pacific side for some quick alternator repairs, more provisioning and then we started the sail to Salinas Equador where we would join an organized race to the Galapagos some 550 nautical miles away. It took us 3 days to sail to this wonderful archipelago. We spent three wonderful weeks here exploring the islands and best of all we were able to get really close to the animals and bird life. During this time we rented a local boat and crew as this was the only way to get around the islands due to strict permit controls. Our vessel was called the “Amigo” and at times we thought it would sink but she proved to be seaworthy and reliable. 
We were now ready to start the 3000 nm (nautical mile) sail to the Marquises islands, a place we had only read about and sounded far away but yet exciting. 17 days later we arrived at the island of Hiva Oa. Some of our friends had arrived a day or so before us, this didn’t matter as they made a wonderful welcoming committee. It was now the beginning of September of ’99 and another glorious 3 weeks was spent there sailing between the islands and absorbing the wonders of nature at it’s best.
Our next destination was the Tuamotu Atolls, a place I had never heard of but soon discovered that there are hundreds of islands that make up this area. We did not have many detailed charts of this area so when we arrived at the entrance of one of the atolls we could see the tide rushing out at such a speed it produced standing waves in the channel we needed to pass through. After launching the dinghy and doing an investigation we realized we should wait for slack tide to pass inside the atoll. This was nerve racking as the reefs were close to the boat on either side but we made it and found a secure anchorage. This must be one of the most beautiful places I have been to as the water is crystal clear, the reefs are alive and the best diving I have done took place here. The local people farm black pearls to make a living.
Our sights were now set on the Society Islands of Bora Bora, Moorea and Tahiti. I had been here before some years back and spent most of the time holding up my tent in a cyclone so this time I was looking forward to doing some sight seeing and exploring. The time in this area was eventful to say the least. Anchorages were spectacular, we were a
wakened by humpback whales blowing next to the boat, followed them gently with the tender only to see them take a course through the channel and exit into the open ocean. On the island of Huahine we witnessed the annual out rigger race called the Hawaiki Nui Va’a. This in simple terms means 6 guys rowing an out rigger boat between islands. This race is taken seriously as there are many international entries.
wakened by humpback whales blowing next to the boat, followed them gently with the tender only to see them take a course through the channel and exit into the open ocean. On the island of Huahine we witnessed the annual out rigger race called the Hawaiki Nui Va’a. This in simple terms means 6 guys rowing an out rigger boat between islands. This race is taken seriously as there are many international entries.After arriving in the island of Tahiti we finally cleared in and out of customs and immigration for French Polynesia and were now on our way to New Zealand with a stop over in Rarotonga which is part of the Cook Islands. It was now the middle of November and we needed to get to N.Z. A week was spent in Rarotonga waiting for the weather to make the 1840 nm sail to Opua which is in the north Island of N.Z. This is a passage I won’t forget as some of the worst weather and consecutive cold fronts we experienced was during this time.
Land fall in N.Z was wonderful, soon we were into our stride, cleaning the boat, varnishing and getting things ship shape, most of all we were looking forward to celebrating the millennium and witnessing the America’s Cup of 2000. We managed to reserve a dock in Westhaven Marina in down town Auckland and this put us 5 minutes away from the America’s Cup village. Part of the boats plan was to have the teak deck replaced and have the boat painted. This would take place after all the celebrating and racing was finished. Marcel had decided to return to South Africa from N.Z after spending close to 11 months onboard. In total we stayed for 7 months and finally left on a cold July day, year 2000 with a southerly gale blowing heading for the islands of Tonga.
The time spent in Tonga was fantastic as we met up with old friends, partied with our cruising buddies and managed to go swimming with humpback whales.
We continued sailing westwards towards Australia hoping to stop in Fiji but decided against that because a coup had broken out and we were not certain of the situation. Our next landfall was the island of Vanuatu formerly known as the New Hebrides. On this passage we were sailing down wind at one moment and the next thing the wind changed direction and came from the front causing the sails to invert and breaking the spinnaker pole beak and snapping the boom preventer. So life is not all glorious as one would imagine. Fortunately we had arrived in time to witness the 20th year of independence celebrations. After anchoring in 90 ft of water we managed to get a berth stern to the wall in Port Villa and enjoy the festivities. Later our course took us north west to some of the other islands where we experienced the traditional life of these people. Later we headed south to the island of
Tana and anchored in Resolution Bay. This is another place I won’t forget easily. We had heard that there was an active volcano on the island and decided to investigate. Before we knew it we were hiking up steep jungle terrain and finally were greeted by this erupting volcano spitting out boulders the size of motor cars from it’s core. This was quite scary as the sun had set and we were standing on the edge or lip of this natural eruption witnessing these fire balls in the dark.
Continuing westward from Vanuatu we arrived in New Caledonia, another beautiful place. Time was spent sailing between the islands and visiting the traditional boat builders. We landed up waiting a whole week for the correct weather to sail to Sydney, Australia. Finally we left and knowing we would have more bad weather we decided to make land fall in Coff’s Harbour some 250 miles north of Sydney. By this time the start of the Olympics was getting closer and the owners had tickets for the opening ceremony and needed to get to Sydney. They caught a train down to Sydney and checked into a hotel, we in the meantime made haste and headed south entering Sydney harbour a day before the opening ceremony. This was to be a highlight in my life, being able to sail up to the opera house and then go under the harbour bridge. I had been here before and never imagined this moment would ever take place especially on such an occasion. Finally we motored up the Paramata river and docked at Gladstone marina which we had booked some weeks before. We were now 10 minutes away from Homebush, the centre of the Olympics. We had our bikes sent from N.Z. so we where able to ride into the city centre and absorb the the Olympic hype. The feeling in that country was fantastic during this time, the closing was exceptional as we went down to the harbour and witnessed the most spectacular fire works display ever.
The owners headed for the home again and we had work to to on the boat. Arrangements were made to take the boat to an area called “Pittwater” north of Sydney. Xmas and new year was spent with friends, some of whom we hadn’t seen for quite a while. We finished our work and it was now February and the destination was Hamilton Island, several hundreds of miles up the east coast. We would meet the owners there in June, quick calculation meant we had a lot of time for the trip. Time went by blissfully and we met wonderful people on the way.
A fantastic time was spent in the Whitsunday’s and together with the owners we continued north towards Cairns. Here we were able to book ourselves on a live aboard dive charter and dive on the Barrier reef, another excellent experience. Continuing north we turned left around Cape York and sailed through the Torres Straits and finally stopped in Darwin for several days and explored the surrounding country. 
Next we were off to Bali, Indonesia. This was interesting sailing as we had to dodge unlit boats at night and deal with strong currents between islands. Ange and I managed to do a side trip to Borneo and went to visit the orang- utan rehabilitation centre deep in the jungle. Three days was spent on a local “Klotok” (river boat) going through the jungle on the rivers. We went deep into the jungle to the feeding platforms that had been built by the foundation for these animals. This was an awesome experience.
Back in Bali we prepared for the trip to Singapore, up through the Java sea. 9 days of motoring, low on diesel, we finally arrived. This was now luxury as the showers were air conditioned, clean towels, restaurants and civilisation. Singapore is a wonderful country and shopping is at it’s best. The straits of Malacca were ahead of us now, the thoughts of pirates loomed over our heads but we had to go. Several weeks went by and we made stops in Malaysia and managed to visit the city of Kuala Lumpur. On route we were fortunate not to get tangled in fishing nets as this was a constant problem especially at night. Phuket Thailand was in sight and we were looking forward to stopping for a while. 2001 was coming to an end and preparations had to be made again for another Xmas and new year in another place. In February of 2002 we set off heading west to Sri Lanka. I think it was a 8 or 9 day sail and we arrived early in the
morning and had to wait for the Navy to do a search and then give us permission to enter the port. Formalities were done and inland travel plans were underway. I was apprehensive about this place but must admit that I really enjoyed it here, even had many opportunities to go surfing and above all it was cheap.
morning and had to wait for the Navy to do a search and then give us permission to enter the port. Formalities were done and inland travel plans were underway. I was apprehensive about this place but must admit that I really enjoyed it here, even had many opportunities to go surfing and above all it was cheap.Next stop, the Maldives. These islands and reefs have a beauty of their own. It also made for interesting anchoring having to anchor in 140 ft of water in the main harbour area so that we could check in. One month was spent among the islands and every time we wanted to anchor off an island we needed to get permission from the manager of the resort on each island. It was hard work at times but I must say that some of the most beautiful islands and beaches can be found here and the diving is exceptional. We had a few mechanical problems in the southern most islands but managed to get things sorted which was a relief because we had to cross the Indian ocean next. We made our way south and stopped off in Chagos, a small place in the middle of the ocean. The only way to get here is by boat, no tourists only cruisers. Anchored in Solomon Island which forms part of this archipelago life was about working, fishing, eating and playing volleyball in the afternoon on the beach with the other cruisers.
Time played no part of the day but soon we had to head off to the Seychelles. We didn’t stay long and continued to east Africa to Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania and and to the island of Zanzibar which was part of the boats name. We anchored off the Dar-es-Salaam yacht club in a huge bay 8 miles north of the city. Our generator blew a head gasket so more work and waiting for parts. 2 months went by and it felt like we were becoming part of the furniture. I enjoyed it here but we did have problems with unwanted guests trying to climb up the anchor chain hoping to steal something. Any kind of line was very valuable to these people. I managed to persuade them to leave with a brisk swinging action of a piece of wood resembling a baseball bat.
Looking forward to getting to Cape Town, again for Xmas and new year putting an end to 2002, we started the trek south. Weather was important to get right as this area can be nasty. After hopping down the east African coast we made it to Richard's Bay South Africa. It felt strange to be in my own country, hearing the language and knowing the culture. Durban was 70 miles away and it was now November. We wai
ted 3 weeks here for the gap to sail 270 nm to East London. Durban to Cape Town is about 800 nm sailing in total distance, about a 7 day sail. Well it took us around 7 weeks because of waiting for the correct weather. This is a stretch of coast line nobody wants to mess with, it has a fierce reputation. I had now come three quarters of the way around the world and had sailed into my home port, I felt good. More work and preparations were done and in February of 2003 I departed C.T with two of my friends Alex and Mario as crew. Ange stayed behind as she had eye surgery and we headed into the south Atlantic, destination Salvador South America 3300 miles away, no stopping.
ted 3 weeks here for the gap to sail 270 nm to East London. Durban to Cape Town is about 800 nm sailing in total distance, about a 7 day sail. Well it took us around 7 weeks because of waiting for the correct weather. This is a stretch of coast line nobody wants to mess with, it has a fierce reputation. I had now come three quarters of the way around the world and had sailed into my home port, I felt good. More work and preparations were done and in February of 2003 I departed C.T with two of my friends Alex and Mario as crew. Ange stayed behind as she had eye surgery and we headed into the south Atlantic, destination Salvador South America 3300 miles away, no stopping.17 days later we arrived and did less than 48 hours of motoring. We did have to stop in Luderitz Namibia for auto pilot repairs, although we spent a week there this all seemed like a blur, the sailing was exceptional. The city of Salvador is huge much to our surprise as we knew little about it. We made our way up the Brazilian coast stopping at several ports until we reached Fortaleza. Here we checked out of Brazil and headed to Trinidad 1500 nm away. This would be a rest stop and have the boat taken out the water and have the bottom painted. I took a month off and went to the USA to meet Ange who by now had been working with friends on large power boats.
I returned, finished the work and we were off again heading up the leeward Caribbean islands with our destination being St Maartin. Here we had Xmas, New Year and moved into 2004. More work and modifications were done, selected a new crew and in May 2004 we headed out into the North Atlantic, first stop the Azores, quick rest and then into the Med and finally stopped in Palma Mallorca.
After Palma our sights were now on Athens, Greece for the Olympics. It was hard to believe that 4 years earlier we had been in Sydney for the same reason. It was fantastic, there is no atmosphere like it in the world. This time I had a chance to go to many events and feel the power of the stadiums and the spectators. Time came to move on and we headed for Turkey where we would take the boat out of the water for a winter period.
As one knows, all good things come to and end and it was here that I left African Queen after over 6 years and around 45 000 miles of sailing.
The above is a condensed version of the trip, so unfortunately many details and pictures had to be left out.
The owners, Kurt and Victoria