The end of a great journey

 

It’s been a wild journey….

 For years, the thought of buying a sailboat and setting sails to far away places was just a distant dream in our minds. Mike would pour relentlessly through websites looking at boats for sale,  reading and researching always to achieve the goal. 

Finally on June 10th 2018 we bought our boat named Honah Lee II. A Canadian boat no less, made in Montreal. A Corbin 39. We were in awe just looking at it. We had taken a few courses at the Hamilton Yacht club on a little 24 foot Shark but this new boat was considerably bigger and it would become our new home for years to come. 

At the end of July 2019, we moved permanently to our new floating home. We sold our house, our cars and stored our furniture in a sea container on my sister’s property.

The adventure began on September 12th as we left the dock, not without clipping it as we cast off and set sail into the sunset as the proverbial saying goes. 

Our journey took us from our marina in Morrisburg Ontario all the way to Grenada, then back up to the Dominican Republic. We’ve enjoyed so many beautiful islands, taking our time to discover and explore them along the way. And revisit some favorites on the way back. 

Throughout the years, we’ve had fantastic days, some very frustrating ones, discouraging ones and let’s not forget some very terrifying ones  as well. It’s was a very big learning curve.

Not for a moment would we change anything. It has been absolutely awesome .

We’ve met so many wonderful people that will remain life long friends, tasted great food, seen extraordinary beauty and have seen what the sea can throw at you to see what you’re capable of handling.

For two novice sailors, we are extremely proud of our accomplishments and happy that we made our dream come true.

On  February 18th, it was a very sad day. We sold the boat and it now has a new owner. It’s was a bittersweet moment but we had made the decision to sell the boat after the hurricane season. We had fully expected to still live on Honah Lee for six to ten months while we waited for a potential buyer. After 2 weeks on the market, we already had an interested party. Our heads were spinning from the rapid sale and made it harder to let go. 

We loved living on the boat. Very spacious and comfortable. Even though it’s not the biggest of boats, it’s full of storage and living space. We will miss it very much but just we feel it’s time to move on to new adventures.

Now we are living in an apartment in downtown Luperon in the DR until the end of March and then we’ll head to Argentina for a while and begin a motorcycle trip. It’s been another dream that we wish to fulfill.

So time for new beginnings…

Cheers

Mike and Pierrette 

                                     2018

First day as boat owners 

 

2019

 

Departure day September 12tth

Taking the mast down for the locks - Oswego New York 

Going through one of the 33 locks

Going by New York City. Such a momentous occasion 

We were in awe going by the Statue of Liberty 

Our first Christmas on Honah Lee - Palm Coast Florida

2020

The morning of our crossing the Gulf Stream.  It took 14 hours to cross

Arriving in the Bahamas 

Our favorite coffee shop, Governor’s Harbor Bahamas

Beautiful beaches of the Bahamas

COVID Times…not allowed off the boat…oh well Cheers !

Big storm coming…saw winds of 40 knots

2021

Lovely gecko 

Woke up surrounded by starfish, Albert Town Bahamas

So calm and beautiful, Bight of Acklins, Bahamas 

Arriving in the Dominican Republic 

Local dish called Sancocho - a favorite of Mike’s

Mike hard at work 

The blow holes in Luperon , DR

2022

Puerto Rico in one of our many anchorages

Stellar sunset

Sunrise during one of our night passages 

Good times with great friends, Caja de Muerto Puerto Rico

Culebra, Puerto,Rico such a great day

Beautiful anchorage, St Thomas USVI

Odd cactus to say the least, St Barths

Still waiting to see the famous green flash at sunset

Beautiful markets of St Pierre Martinique

Fresh mountain water. The length we’ll go too to wash our hair 😳🤣

2023

Water lilies and gorgeous flowers, Bequia, St Vincent and the Grenadines 

Turtle sanctuary, Bequia 

Local beer delivery, Bequia

On one of our many walks, Carriacou 

Stowaway on our boat. Actually a land snake, Carriacou 

Hauling out, Carriacou 

Sailboat missing the downpour 

Fantastic beaches of Carriacou 

Christmas dinner with our friends, Bequia

2024

Huge Bamboo forest, Portsmouth Dominica

Bar scene from « Death in Paradise «  Deshaies Guadeloupe 

Dinghy drift, Puerto Rico

So proud not to have broken the eggs, Samana, DR

Lovely sunrise in the bay, Luperon 

Los Haitises National Park, Samana

5 family members on one bike 

Our rescue cat Frankie who got adopted by a lovely local lady


2025

Retired life

Our last motorcycle trip with our friends 

Hotel in Río San Juan 

Time for a local brew

Great bikes

View from our hotel, Río San Juan

Fantastic local food on our motorcycle trip

The end