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Voyage to the South Pacific, Sept. 2003 - July 2004

In September of 2003, I left the San Francisco Bay Area to become a crew member of the RV Heraclitus, run by the Planetary Coral Reef Foundation (PCRF). I boarded the ship in Seattle and sailed down the west coast of the US, into Mexico, and then across the Pacific Ocean to French Polynesia. We spent three months voyaging between seven of the polynesian islands - Rangiroa, Tikehau, Tahiti, Huahine, Raiatea, Tahaa, and Bora Bora.

My time at sea was transformative, but impossible to convey. I highly recommend taking time to sail if you can. For now, enjoy the photos! There are more where these came from...

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Leaving Seattle - where I got aboard

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We were treated to memorable sunsets constantly!

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We entered through the Golden Gate on October 11th

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Jack London Square welcomed us with open arms

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The festival celebrating the Day of Ray featured the captain, first mate, third mate, and expedition leader

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The Light Sails gave a great impression

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Off sausalito, in the morning sunrise

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Stopping off on Santa Cruz Island,

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we celebrated Haloween.

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Ensenada, Mexico. Our home for 2.5 months.

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The ship went into drydock for 6 weeks

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while we worked hard every day...

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Occasionally losing crew to the hungry sail

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we tried to keep other things locked down.

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Soon we were ready to depart for 10 weeks!

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The humpbacks made us feel very welcome.

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And we caught a 70lb yellow fin tuna!

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We crossed 4,000 miles

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of the South Pacific Ocean

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to be greeted by Sharks!

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(and beautiful coral)

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Our stop on Tahiti was brief

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but I climbed to the very top!

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Sunset over Moorea

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After Tahiti it was off to Bora Bora

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The most picturesque island.

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in all respects.

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Especially

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the

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friendly

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sharks!

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