After years of planning, Jim and Barb McConn have finally realized their dream of sailing through the South Pacific (and more). They left the Redondo Beach harbor around noon on April 9, 2004. First they sailed to Santa Catalina island, where they spent a couple of days. And then, finally they were off on their long awaited journey. At the time, they didn't realize that they would wind up sailing around the world on a five year adventure of a lifetime. 2004 Their first destination was the Marquesas Islands. Next they sailed through the Tuamotu Archipelago and French Polynesia, which includes Tahiti and Moorea. From there they traveled to Bora Bora, through the Cook Islands, and over to the Kingdom of Tonga to prepare for the cruise down to New Zealand in early November. They stayed in New Zealand until April of 2005. 2005 Their first trip this year was back to Tonga. They weren't able to spend much time there in 2004. Then around July they headed for Fiji. They spent the winter (including Christmas) there. 2006       They spent the first part of this year in Fiji, waiting for the cyclone season to end. In June of 2006 they briefly visited New Caledonia, with the intention of sailing up to Vanuatu. However, after spending a couple of weeks in New Caledonia, they decided that they were starting to feel like it was time to start making their way home. They sailed to NorthEastern Australia, and then west of Australia to Christmas Island. They had originally planned on sailing accross to South Africa this year. South Africa had to wait until next year. They decided to visit Thailand (how many other chances will they get ?). They headed north from Christmas Island in early October. After a brief visit in Thailand, they also explored Malaysia and then returned to Thailand by early January of 2007 2007 They flew back to their home in Torrance for a brief visit in late January and early February. After that trip, they went sailing in the Bay of Bengal in the Northern Indian Ocean, the plan was to make it to South Africa by November. They had time for several interesting stops along the way .. =) Sri Lanka was an interesting stop. It turned out to be a heavily militarized and unfriendly place. However, their stop in the Maldives was just wonderful, as they made their way over to South Africa. The next stops were Rodriguez Island and then over to Mauritius. Both proved to be beautiful and friendly places, the kind they came to anticipate on each part of their journey. They (reluctantly) moved on to Reunion Island. However, they were able to land where they had planned. So they were able to have a wonderful exploring this beautiful island. Reunion Island was beautiful with lots of volcanoes to see. Next they moved on and headed west towards Madagascar. In Madagascar, they started on Ile St. Marie, off the northeast coast. Next they sailed northward towards the northern tip of Madagascar. The North West tip of Madagascar was beautiful. However, the journey up to the tip and around were quite an adventure. The North West trip down Madagascar proved to be great fishing and not so great otherwise. They then made the 1200 mile trip over to Richard's Bay in South Africa. After a beautiful and at times exciting two week sail, they landed in South Africa. They anchored in Richard's Bay for the rest of the year. While there they explored the city of Durban, plus a game park and an active volcano. 2008 They sailed down to the southern end of Africa getting ready to round the Cape of Good Hope. They spent a couple of days in Port Elizabeth visiting with friends that they met in Richard's Bay. After leaving the Cape of Good Hope peninsula in South Africa, they headed 1700 mile northeast, to the island of St. Helena in the South Atlantic Ocean. Note: St. Helena is famous for being the place of exile of Napoleon Bonaparte between 1815 and his death in 1821. Next, they left St. Helena and headed towards the American continent. After a 5400 mile crossing, they arrived at Scarborough on the island of Tabago. They moved on to Trinidad, where they waited out the hurricane season. While here, they did some needed maintenance on the Spanish Stroll. From there they moved on to Venezuela. They enjoyed Tabago; but Trinidad - not so much. After a less than pleasurable stay at Isla Margarita, they moved on to the island of Bonaire at the end of August. Bonaire turned out to be a pleasant stop. Next they moved over to Curacao - still in the Netherlands Antilles. They have found another great place to visit in Curacao. Reluctantly, they had to move futher West much too soon. As it often turns out, Cartagena also turned out to be a great place to visit. So, once again, they left reluctantly. From there they sailed over to the San Blas Islands to get ready for their trip through the Panama Canal. They spending the Thanksgiving holiday at the Panama Canal Yacht club. In December, they were back in the waters of the Pacific Ocean, after an awesome passage through the Panama Canal. Read the message from this date - December 15th - for some details on the passage through the canal. 2009 January 1, 2009. They were ready for the final leg of their journey, the sail that will finally bring them home. January 5, 2009. They left Panama and sailed right on by the island of Taboga - heading home. January 17, 2009. They did make some excellent time sailing along south of Mexico. January 24, 2009. They slowed down a little here - not getting the good winds they were getting. All in all, they were still enjoying this part of the trip. They were told to expect a very hard sail after heading north, but it actually turned out to be a good sail. February 1, 2009. They were still (mostly) moving at a slower pace. They had planned to be back home within a couple of weeks of this date. February 14, 2009. They sailed into King's Harbor in Redondo Beach between noon and one o'clock on Saturday - February 14th. This completed their 5-year circumnavigation, a journey of a lifetime. They're Home!!