#23 There are many downsides to owning a boat. In fact, it’s often said that the happiest day in a boat buyer’s life is when they first buy a boat, and the second happiest is when they sell it!

#22 If you thought Trump or Brexit was a divisive topic, its nothing compared to the catamarans vs monohull debate within the cruising community!

Appeal for Help: The Raja Ampat Marine Park Authorities informed us that this endangered dugong calf that we’re trying to save is not their concern.

#21 Cruisers sail the oceans in all sorts of boats, from super yachts to modified barrels (I’m not kidding!)

#20 In many ways, your ‘new’ boat becomes an adopted member of the family with its own personality and idiosyncrasies, constantly needing attention.

#19 This might come as a revelation, especially to folks from the USA, but the cost of family healthcare around the world is really quite affordable, even when using private healthcare providers. 

#18 There’s an entire culture stoking a belief that more is better. However, it should come as no surprise that any endeavour involving freedom, travel, and adventure is about learning to live with less.

#17 The cruising community is wide, expansive, and very sociable. If loneliness worries you, don’t let it. The community is encouraging, and friendships and support are never far away

#16 Cruising can, at times, feel less like freedom, travel, and adventure and more like a relentless effort to keep your head above water—sometimes literally!

#15 Sailing is only one of many skillsets a cruiser must acquire but luckily, one of the easiest to obtain.

#14 Few "sail away" books address the gap between making the decision to go and making the money to go. Yet, this is often the biggest obstacle.

#13 As you may or may not be aware, May 21st marks International Tea Day, so I would like to pay homage to two of my favourite night watch companions: tea (quite obviously) and Eric Arthur Blair.

#12 How can you ensure that your partner is fully invested, not merely because of your enthusiasm, but because they genuinely share it?

#11 This week, I want to take a time-out from my usual posts in respect of ANZAC Day here in Australia.

#10 Institutional incarceration is a tried and tested form of punishment, and many kids view school that way too.

#09 A well-rounded, resilient life transcends a singular job or career; it should embody a blend of problem-solving, risk-taking, and uncertainty.

#08 Inertia is fateful, but doubts, fears, and concerns don’t have to be. As Seneca so succinctly said: "It's not that we have a short time to live, but that we waste much of it."

#07 Many people live their entire lives with the choices they made in their teens. Career choice, partner type, hobby, music tastes, political leanings, fashion sense—some never leave their hometown.

#06 Life is like a book, and it’s shorter than you think. How you choose to populate the pages of your book is entirely up to you.

#05 Not to worry too much, but a common thread ties sociopaths, novelty seekers and risk-takers: the pleasure chemical dopamine.