I CAN’T BELIEVE WE’RE GOING HOME!
Fiji was supposed to be a stopover…now here we are six months later finally catching the last leg of our journey. And even that didn’t go the way we thought it would. But honestly, nothing this year has gone the way any of us ever thought it would.
Our home is in Tonga and the borders are still closed, as so much of the world is. We registered with the US and Tongan Embassy and eventually for a “special circumstances” repatriation but hadn’t heard anything in months. We would send bi-weekly emails to every contact we could find but would get the same be patient, borders are still closed auto-generated response.
So, we’ve been waiting because as frustrating as it is, we understand. Viruses less lethal than covid-19 have been known to decimate these fragile island populations. The world’s leading superpower countries couldn’t get it together fast enough and are still struggling through.
So really, we were beyond shocked to get a call from the government of Tonga saying our request was being considered! We thought for sure we weren’t going anywhere until 2021. In fact, our 6-month tourist visa was about to expire and we planned to apply for residency in Fiji….no joke!
It’s been a year filled with so many things and its not over yet. But this feels like the end of a chapter for us. A bittersweet goodbye.
Fiji embraced us, became our home, and infected us with their bula spirit (a wish for happiness, good health and the energy of life.) It has been a gift and one we will carry on with us until we return again.
For now, we say a fond moce (goodbye) to Fiji and a huge Mālō e lelei (hello) to The Kingdom of Tonga!
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Michael
Praise God for your good fortune. However, you always had good fortune. You lived a good life there in Fiji and were of encouragement and service to others there. What if you hadn’t been stuck there?
Thank you for the wonderful videos! And welcome to the rest of your life back on your boat home, until we all meet in our forever home.
Pat
So extremely happy for you. Peter and john keep u s posted so glad you are going home. Pat
Jeffrey Stenberg
Tonga, Tonga, cha cha cha! I think were all almost as happy as you guys. You would not have met all those wonderful, special loving people and had those experiences had you not got stuck. You guys definitely made lemonade. Welcome Home ! ( In 10 days, reflect and share)
Jane
So extremely happy for you guys! Can’t wait to see Curiosity and your next adventures! Stay safe ..keep posting!
Roger B
Curiosity here we come!!!
Alan Solomon
You both have become a part of my weekly life watching you most Sunday’s for the last 2 years?? A little emotional here. On the verge of tears of happiness. Great video with excerpts of your amazing experiences! Incredibly happy for you that you are finally getting back to Curiosity! I think you guys will become very busy soon. Has it been 7 months since you were last on Curiosity? I am excited for you both! Congratulations!
Curious Minion
It has been almost exactly a year! Don’t forget that they were in the States for 5 months & then in South Africa before they got stranded in Fiji.
Curious Minion
Elizabeth Jo Collins
Well, Hallelujah, they are back on the water according to real-time Marine Traffic. as of 09/25/2020, Thank GOD yes, almost a year. I can’t imagine all their emotions and anxieties. But they always kept a smile on their faces and caring for others in their hearts… They are absolutely, a unique, amazing, fantastic couple. I’m Praying many Blessing for them.
Nikki Wynn
We are not in the water, Curiosity is still on the hard here in Tonga. Not sure what Marine Traffic is pinging. That stuff isn’t always accurate. We have a lot of boat projects to tackle before she is ready to be back in the water. But, we are looking forward to the projects!!!
Jason Ostermayer
I’m so happy to see you two are making your way home finally. There’s truly no place like home. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for you as you return to S/V Curiosity. Looking forward to all the moments to come. Thank you so much for continuing to share your wonderful journey through life’s ups and downs. Cheers guys!
Wayne Sillick
Great result! Hope the reunion is all good.
Tev
Crying tears of happiness for you.
John Gangl
Now you’ll have to dust everything off, and start the repairs. Good luck and stay positive.
Kathy
Hoping you guys got home 🙏🏻💕
Jan D
So happy for you guys. We were lucky enough to be able to stay with our floating home throughout all this, even though at times ports closed to us whilst we were on passage to them 🙁
Hope all is well with Curiosity on your return and hope this cartoon makes you smile…it did me 🥰https://www.sarahsteenland.com/copy-of-coconut-telegraph-comic-9
Marsha
I was so anxious watching this I wanted to cry. Poor Jason, plum pooped out. I can’t wait for the next video & to see Curiosity again. I laughed out loud at your commercial, award winning performances😂. Sending love.
Hani
Hallelujah!
So happy for you !
Be well all the best !
dyanne
WooHoo! This is awesome news
WC
Congrats!!! 🥳
Sunny Harvy
Hurray!!!
JD
Why did I feel a little teary once you guys finally took off? Sigh.
This was such a long journey for you guys but you certainly made good use of your time and shared yourselves everywhere you went.
You guys rock.
Colin smith
Absolutely Awesome news guys,I’m So glad your both at last heading home to Curiosity .
Best wishes
From
Colin In the UK 😊🙏
Gary M Curran
I’m very happy for you. It’s been a long wait and you deserve it.
I saw yesterday on the Marine Traffic website that you uploaded a new photo of Curiosity, so I was pretty sure you had already made it to Tonga. However, I didn’t realize your videos were this delayed. Of course, I suspect you’ve been rather busy.
Good luck, and I look forward to the next video.
Chad
yea!!!! …super happy for you guys. get that boat ready and floating!
Ed & Jan Grant
Just watched this posting and got all teared up with you! We are so happy that the World is slowly getting back to some kind of normal and that finally you kids are heading back to your home on Curiosity! We have been with you this entire time, praying that this day would come and here it seems to be happening for you. Looking forward to seeing your next posting so much!
Beth
Woohoo!🙌🏻🎉🙌🏻🥰 so happy for you all!!!
Harley & Donna Wilke
Hey guys! Congratulation on going home! Have been following you since Michael and Becky informed us about your videos. Donna and Becky are best friends and graduated from Hart High. Love your videos! Good luck getting home!
Bernard
So glad for you guys!!
YDion
I’m so happy for you guys – really !
And the last 2-3 minutes of the video, where you talk about the gratefulness for all those you’ve met in Fiji – priceless.
Once again, you’ve made my day.
John and Libby. Ex fulltime rvers
Glad you are in the final stretch. We got a little choked up with you when the return looked like it was happening. By now you are out of at least your first quarantine. Hopefully you are bsck to the boat. Can’t wait to see how she faired sitting for all of that time.
mary
I’m so glad that you are on your way to your home.
This will be a year of great memories 1 day. You and your followers have changed so many lives during the shutdown. In my eyes, you are one of the many heroes we all talk about.
Zatara was a great escape and I am so happy they took you in and showed you so much love. I’m so thankful you are on your way back to your boat. I hope all of the repairs are not too complicated so you can be on your way again. I keep hoping a fairy godmother stepped in while you were away and made the necessary repairs.
Chris Evers
Boola,
Just watched episode, praying you made it to home! So many adventures, but home is the best. Cant wait for next video & hoping Curiosity doesn’t have black mold dripping from ceiling, like ours did after 3 months of leaving her.
Jeanette Brennan
Hoooooooray! Awesome heartwarming video! Answered prayers!! Phew!! You made it!!!! Home Sweet Home! Can’t wait to see next Sunday’s video. So very happy for you guys! You’ve had some amazing adventures in Fiji with incredible friends. Now you’re finally home to your amazing Curiosity, and back to being Captains of your own floating home and adventures. ⛵️💖🥂🍾🙌🙏
David and Virginia Purcell
We are so happy for you! Our hearts have gone out to you as you waited. I can only imagine how hard it has been. Yet you have reached out and made the lives of others so much better! From clean water to actually saving the lives of a kitten and an amazing and gentle man! I can’t name all of the good you have brought about while you were there in Fiji but you have warmed our hearts! Thank you for letting us be a part of your good journey! May all go well for you! We will be watching.
Nanci M
Congratulations on making it back to your home. You made the best of a crappy situation and we have all grown during this time. So happy for you both!
Richard Fenters
Great video… So glad you’re almost home!! 🙂
Gary Thompson
Hurray for you both! More adventures to come, except that they will be from your own home!
Marjorie Nehlsen
SO glad you are finally on your way home. Can’t wait too find out how your flight was and it you are back. or near, your “home” at last. Love your adventures.
Laura
Even though this is not in real time and I knew you had already made it to Tonga…. I was in such anticipation watching to see how it went. What a great fun, uplifting and heart warming video. Thank you.
Annette Marriott
Talk about a rollercoaster of a ride!!!!! Can’t imagine how many emotions you’re having, but as I watched the vlog, I was excited for you both and to own it, my eyes did well up…happy tears though. Now it’s up to the Tongan government and if they read any of these comments, PLEASE give them the required visas..many thanks 😊 xxx
Ellen Lowe
Thrilled for you both ! I hope the next part of your journey has gone smoothly ! Eagerly awaiting your next update.
Best wishes!
Stephana M. Johnson
A bit emotional here for you guys watching you go through the whole ordeal. Thanks for sharing the moments and the details. Living vicariously. I am so happy you made it home and can’t wait to see you on your home. I don’t need the ugo bag yet but that was completely adorable and I’ll remember it for next time. Much love to you both!
About Creativity
Very good, ´´“Wonderful things on this planet have come from the human mind, taking care of our minds is taking care of the planet.”
@sadhguru´´
✨🙏🏼✨
Dan
Awesome! As I was watching I was yelling go, go, go! I am literally in my Airstream watching the sun come up at Fish Trap Lake as I write this just after watching your video. Loved something about this place after seeing a snippet of it in one of your videos. Now I’m here and hopefully you are home. Goin down to the lake shortly. Keep on truckin!
Peggy
So very happy for you both! We’ve admired your positive attitudes and patience.
About Creativity
And the ability to get a lot of good stuff done too.
Charles O Wetterman
Wow, this is great for you guys. It’s just another major turn of events in your wonderful traveling lifestyle. You guys bring real-life adventures into the homes of millions of people of which some of us would love to have done. We do get to share the adventures without the large investment items, (too many to list) that are required.
We love you guys and all the people that you have included in your life exposures. Keep up your spirits and know there are thousands of us traveling along vicariously thru your videos. We laugh and cry with you every step of the way.
I also like that you are from my home state of Texas and my city of Dallas.
Thanks so much again for what you share with us.
Mary Nelson
Yay!!!!!! FINALLY!!! And I want to know the brand of Nikki’s black bandeau. I can’t wear her cute bikinis but I might be able to sport that sweet suit.
Bruce Cooper
So happy for you both!
Jim Shook
Safe Travels….😎
Lee Hudson
If you to ever come across a good bottle of wine or bad for that matter and do not have a wine opener there is a way to get the cork out. Find a long straw tie a knot in one end then push the cork all the way in, like you did before, then insert the strong to where the knot is below the cork and then slowly pull up. This will pull the cork out of the bottle with the knot inside the bottle as you pull. I’ve done this many times. So happy you both are going back to curiosity.
Manson Boze
Hi guys. Why does Curiosity show up at Harbour Towne Marina in FLL (since mid-August) on AIS when it is actually in Tonga?
Curious Minion
They are not in Ft. Lauderdale & aren’t sure why that happened. Best guess is that some old gear that was removed from Curiosity during her refit & not properly wiped was turned on & triggered the check in. Curiosity is still in Tonga. 💁
Curious Minion
Manson Boze
Makes sense. I bet Raf of Laurent could solve the mystery… 🙂
Ashley G
So glad things are finally looking up for your return to your home.
Daniel
Happy for you to be going home!
Beachcamper
This news today made me so happy! 😊 I hope you are finally home and sorting out all that needs to be done to make Curiosity ship shape again.
Kevin Hurd
Wow what a time