Blogs

One of the "side-effects" of cruising full time as a couple is that you and your partner are together all the time! You share the same small living area at the same time and even though this might be a situation that you fully expected before the big adventure, it is not an easy feat to be around each other 24/7, no matter how much you love each other or how compatible you are. Even when in perfect harmony, break-downs, ominous weather, power hungry officials, language barriers with locals, rationing food and water and the relatively primitive lifestyle can put strain on any relationship. Compare it to a couple living together on shore and working in the same office, driving a semi together or being retired under the same roof, with added complications…

 A 35' catamaran is big enough for two people: you each have your own hull!       © Liesbet Collaert

Of course, the good things are shared as well and it isn’t all arguments and challenges, but before deciding to go cruising together for a long time, you and your other half better be sure you get along well and are plenty compatible. Once removed from your familiar habitat, family and close friends, your partner is the only one to fully connect with months or years at the time. He/she will listen to you, explore and sail with you, comfort you and be your companion, 24/7. More relationships than sailboats end up on the rocks, and a lot of cruisers we meet are in their second long-term relationship or marriage! Therefore it is important that you each can be independent and find personal interests and things to do. Not only will the “alone time” benefit you both; you will also have something new to talk about!

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Taking a break from Japan posts for a while, I wanted to share a blog about the current state of the surfing world and open the lines for communication as to where it’s all headed.

Two nights ago I finally sat down to watch Andrew Kidman’s awesome film, ‘Glass Love’. Whilst Kuni and I were up shooting in Noosa with Josh and Zac from Solace surf shop in late December last year, the boys mentioned this film over again as a life changing selection of surf footage, music and candid interviews with ultimate soul surfers. Not getting a chance to take a break from motherhood and constant deadlines, it was a blessing to slap the dvd into the player and lose myself in the beauty of Andrew’s work.

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What is Wild Camping?

Wild camping is camping anywhere away from a designated camp ground, sometimes called freedom camping. The term wild camping will be used here to differentiate between true camping for free and the Eastland's paid system.

Wild camping is still legal in New Zealand and allows you to camp in some really spectacular places. However, in some districts laws are getting stricter due to the thoughtless behaviour of some people mainly with regards to littering and disrespectful disposal of human waste. These things are starting to have a negative impact on the environment and the government is pushing for measures to counteract this.

Where Can I Wild Camp?

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