A beautiful day here in Koror, Palau, with SwiftSure moored in light air and calm sea. TS Phanfone passed just to the north of us yesterday and is now 150nm away. Its on its way to the Philippines, where it may become a full typhoon. It's passing was a non-event here, light air and no rain. We'll be in Palau this Christmas #6 on board. All is well and Merry Christmas to all.

Back in Koror at the RBYC after a 10-day swing into the Rock Islands. Truly one of the world's most beautiful places, with it's unique "mushroom" shaped islands and labyrinth of marine lakes. Jellyfish lake is also a unique must-do adventure in the Rock Islands.

Moored at our new home: the Royal Belau Yacht Club. We are looking forward to staying a while and exploring all the islands of Palau, above and below the surface.

We have had Palau in sight for several hours even before sunrise. It's a high green island. 14nm to our approach way point, 4 more to the harbor channel entrance. Calm overnight with winds 5kts or less, flat seas, and no rain. The Yanmars are getting a workout. We dodged a whole fleet of FADs around local midnight. Thankfully they all had AIS beacons. Welcome rainbow ahead. AWOB

We departed Yap with beautiful moderate wind, sunny & dry day AND similar routing forecast. It was quite wrong. Leaving Yap in sunshine the weather quickly turned into a series of squalls, up to 45kts. (after the fact, they changed the "forecast") We had a quiet motor sail most of the night with the squalls ending early yesterday evening and an unforecasted tail wind & wave assist. Still a few showers around this morning. AWOB.

Preparing to Depart Yap for Palau. Roller furling is not ocean-ready so we'll leave it furled for this trip. I'll have the repair parts meet us in Palau. Mainsail & Diesels for the trip.

Today finds us quietly anchored in the harbor at Yap Island. We made the anchorage at sunset yesterday. We have seen little of Yap except the Entry Officials, who all happily came last evening to clear us in. It was overtime. We've got a few projects to work on then on to shore to pickup packages at the US Post Office and explore the town.

Motorsailing in boisterous conditions with full main. Genoa is out of action with a problem at the mast head, sea too large at 2-3m to go aloft to inspect/repair. We'll wait for the calm waters of Yap Anchorage. Our speed was greatly reduced last night as a result. We are 51nm miles from the entrance, we are hopeful that we will arrive an hour or two before sunset. It is one of the best lit commercial entrances in this part of the pacific. Otherwise AIWOB.

Just preparing to depart Sorol Atoll for Yap Atoll. ETA: PM tomorrow

Sorol Atoll, we arrived yesterday afternoon at this "wow" atoll. Five islands, one large lush one, all connected by a wide protecting reef and large sand banks. They are all uninhabited with lots of marine and bird life. At least 3 wrecks on the outer reefs. Water Vis is 100'+. We were welcomed by a school of dolphins on the outside, followed by pulling in a Rainbow Runner and a Tunney, passing a mating pair of large sea turtles, all before the anchor was down. We have gang of young, friendly Blacktips keeping us company at anchor. Our new favorite atoll.

27nm to the Sorol Atoll. We are motor-sailing on a glassy sea. Perfect sunrise w/o any clouds to obstruct this morning. Sailed and motored as the wind came and went last night. One squall of 25kts gave us a nice lift for a few hours. We expect to make the pass with good light. Noticed that Sorol is referenced on my e-charts as "under US protection", we are curious, no others in the FSM. Send us a sailmail if you know wdh6825@sailmail.com

Good sailing yesterday but motor-sailing last 6 hours in very light, variable, winds, sea flat. We avoided a few gusty squalls up to 25kts, around sunset yesterday, they dissipated and took their wind with them. Trace of rain overnight in the form of sprinkles. Winds predicted to be light today, likely we'll be moving all day with a Yanmar breeze. 140nm to Sorol Atoll.

Just raising the anchor. Our happy time in Woleai has come to an end. A must stop if your are cruising this way. We have a south wind so we'll ride it west to uninhabited Sorol Atoll. A 2 day sail in these conditions. From there we'll head to Yap, our last stop in the FSM.

Anchored in Woleai Atoll yesterday morning. We exchanged greetings with the two Paramount Chiefs, who granted us permission to stay as long as we want and enjoy the islands and reefs. They have a full time generator here and "street lights" even three pick-up trucks. There is a regional high school and a limited satellite up-link to the net. They have repaired the old Japanese runway to an active runway with a 16-pax CIA plane every two weeks. Very modern people but still living the traditional way, women are separate from the men most of the day and wear lava-lava skirts and are topless. Men wear loin cloths. BTW we gifted our turtle meat to the Chiefs, who happily accepted and commented they had taken too many and now rarely saw them here.

Nice calm night, intervals of sailing, but mostly motor-sailing in light air. Beautiful sunny morning. 20nm to Woleai Atoll pass. ETA 11:am local. AIWOB.

Preparing to depart uninhabited Olimarao Atoll for Woleai Atoll, 124nm. Woleai is inhabited and MAY even have wifi. NHOB. We have been waiting on some wind but what little there has been is from the west. So with 6kts from the NW we'll attempt to close-reach West to Woleai with the liberal application of hydrocarbons.

We are anchored in Olimarao Atoll. A small atoll with only two palm covered islands but a high wide reef all uninhabited and natural. Some have called this the prettiest atoll in the FSM, it is definitely in the running. We nosed up on a broad white sand shelf dropped in 3m of clear turquoise water. Snorkeling, we were visited quickly by a white tip then a few minutes later by a pair of grays. Lots of large reef fish here and they seem unafraid of us. The larger island gives good protection from the NW-N-E. Looking forward to beach combing, who knows what "treasures" you can find washed up on a deserted beach.

Preparing to get underway for Olimarao Atoll within the hour. It's 22nm pass to pass. It is an uninhabited atoll. We are looking forward to deserted beaches again. We should arrive this afternoon with good light for the "pass", its really just a shallow section of the surrounding reef.

We are moored in the half-moon bay at Elato Atoll. We arrived yesterday after a 3 hour sail. When we arrived we went ashore for the usual island protocols. The Men's Lodge is where everything happens in this part of the Pacific. Women are not allowed in or near the lodge, except visitors. Most of the men and Chief John, arrived to greet us. They wanted to know where we were coming from, what we wanted to do on their island, and did we have any ability to help them with their broken tech, and did we have "weather". After a positive meeting (very nice people) we were granted permission to hike, dive, snorkle, etc. We can have a "village share" of the sea turtle, and the pig just prepared for a party today. We will delicately decline the turtle, but the pig is on our menu. These people are well educated, but love their traditional way of life. They share everything, even with total strangers like us. They do have some tech but it is only a spice, not the main course. Very few yachts call here, and those that do will find it a lifetime memory.

Departing Lamotrek Atoll for nearby Elato Atoll. Should arrive in a few hours.

Can't say enough good things about the people and hospitality of Lamotrek. Worth the effort if you are in the area.

We are moored in Lamotrek Atoll of Yap State. We had planned arrival this am in Elato Atoll, a bit farther west. The un-forecast higher beam winds and the EQ current, pushed us along nicely. We were safely able enter the pass here with good light yesterday afternoon. Ginger caught a nice wahoo on the way to the pass. We shared him with the locals on arrival.

70nm to Elato Atoll. Nice night of sailing, full main and genoa, Forecast winds of 6-8kts turned into 12-16kts on the beam. No rain with warm conditions, tee-shirt and shorts. Seas were a bit confused with swells from the SSW and NNE but all less than a meter.

Departed Puluwat Atoll at local noon today after the wind came up a bit. Lovely atoll with nice, welcoming folks living a very traditional life-style. No wifi or phone or power. Zoom in on GE too see the natural beauty. We are en-route to Elato Atoll which is a part of Yap State. 1-2 day trip in light air.

Arrived safely at Puluwat Atoll. Narrow entrance pass got the Admiral's attention. At one point only 6' from the beach. This is truly a postcard atoll.

Light air sailing leaving Chuuk, winds picked up around midnight, improving our speed. Wind and sea off the stern quarter. 42nm to Puluwat Atoll Pass. Sunrise in 45mins. AIWOB

Preparing to get underway this AM. Departing Chuuk for Puluwat Atoll 160nm to the west. Chuuk (Truk) has been a very pleasant surprise in regards the people and officials. All very friendly and helpful. We knew the diving was good and were not disappointed. Our diving was with the Truk Stop resort. Very Cruiser friendly folks, with an available mooring just off their dock. Highly Recommended.

Arrived safely yesterday here in Truk (Chuuk). Our anchor is is down in front of the Truk Stop Hotel/Dive Shop. Clearence was a breeze everyone very friendly. Heading to the US Post office for some waiting packages.

Quiet night broad-reaching and running in very light air, with some hours of motor-sailing. Seas relatively calm. 261nm to run to Chuuk NE Pass. All is well on board.

We didn't leave Ant Atoll yesterday, the wind went to near zero and the right on the nose of projected course, with numerous squalls. So we are now departing Ant Atoll in the next few hours with 10-12 knots from the SE with a mostly sunny day. It is great to have no schedule.

With the passing of Invest 92 (another GFS Ghost Storm) we are preparing to depart this beautiful atoll for Chuuk (Truk) Lagoon. There is a sunken Japanese fleet waiting for our underwater exploration.

We are anchored in idyllic Ant Atoll, in 4 meters over a beautiful white sand bottom. Ant is 28nm West of Pohnpei. Nice sail yesterday, after being anchored at Mangrove Bay Resort for nearly two months. Time to clean the bottom and replace the zincs.

We are preparing to raise anchor and clear out of Pohnpei this morning. A stop at the Mangrove Bay fuel dock for a top off, then on Ant Atoll 28nm to the west. We have been on this lovely, verdant island two months.

We arrived safely and cleared in yesterday after noon. Surprisingly, Pohnpei looks a bit like Bora Bora from the sea approach, with it's two granite peaks, one with a flat top. Well marked channel with a large commercial dock, we are anchored deep inside the bay next to Mangrove Marina and Hotel.

35nm to the North Pass of Pohnpei, afternoon arrival. Nice sailing conditions for us, one reef in the main and partial furl on the genoa. 2-3m swells aft of the beam pushing us along, too. All is well on board.

We are in route this morning heading for Pohnpei. OK night of sailing, winds not at the optimal angle, at our stern, but they have moved further forward, NE, giving us a decent sailing angle this morning. All is well on board.

Weighting anchor in a few minutes, heading for Pohnpei. Should be a two day sail if the winds are as predicted. We are both a bit sad to be leaving Kosrae. These are some of the nicest people we have ever met. The island is remote and beautiful, we were the only yacht here for 30 days in a large protected bay. This is "don't miss" place. FYI the Clearance process was fun and easy total of $50US arrival no departure fees at all.

Still anchored in Lelu Bay, Kosrae, FSM. Will clear out today for an AM departure tomorrow for Pohnpei.

Anchored in beautiful Kosrae at Lelu Bay. This bay is surrounded by green hills and mountains. It is reminiscent of the the Marquesas, except the anchorage is quite calm, not rolly or bumpy.

38nm to the entrance of Lelu harbor, Kosrae. 15mins to sunrise. Quiet night, light winds, motor-sailed to arrive daytime. 15 mins to sunrise. Looks to be a nice day with high, hazy, partial clouds and a beautiful sunrise. We'll roll out the code zero again after coffee, and drop our fishing lines in too, Mahi & Wahoo are running.

Winds largely single digits last 24+ hours. Slow but enjoyable sailing, seas calm, less than a half-meter. We haven't had a passage this slow in a few years. Enjoying the sunny days, no rain last 48hrs. We'll roll out the Code Zero today. All is well on board.

Pleasant if somewhat slow sail overnight. Winds were light and variable overnight from 3-14kts. Seas dropped to one meter mostly on the stern. Clear skies w/bright moon. Good first night after so long in the lagoon.

Just pulling the anchor up now here in Ebeye, we'll cross the lagoon and exit the South Pass. Then take a direct course for Kosrae. 2-3 days depending on winds.

Preparing to leave the Kwajalein Marina for the anchorage at Ebeye this morning. We must officially clear out of the Marshall Islands with C & I located there. Great send-off party on board last night! Thanks!

We are underway inside the Kwajalein Atoll. Sailing between Roi-Namur Island and Kwajalein Island, where we expect to linger until departing for Kosrae in the FSM. Our friend and Kwaj sponser "Mo" is at the helm and apparently enjoying sailing a catamaran. Will her mono hull ever be the same? Mixed bag of weather rain and sun. Afternoon arrival at the Kwaj Marina expected.

Still anchored at Roi-Namur. Enjoying the Holidays at the USAKA Base.