The Long Journey Home (back to boat life)
We’ve made it to Tonga! But, our journey back home to Curiosity is going to be a long one. The borders are still closed and we must quarantine for 21 days before we’re set free. Crazy!
Regardless of our negative Covid-19 tests, all passengers from the repatriation flight are being treated and held in quarantine as if we have the virus. It feels extreme but we also understand. Viruses on these small, underdeveloped, and very remote islands are devastating. So, the Tongan Government is taking every precaution…and then some.
We’ve landed on the main island of Nuku’alofa where we’ll stay for our 21 days of government monitored quarantine. Then we catch a cargo ship to Vava’u Tonga to see Curiosity for the first time in a year! I still have to pinch myself every time I say it because it seems too good to be true: We’re Finally Home!
🙏THANK YOU!
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🎶MUSIC IN THIS VIDEO:
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Artists – Greg McKay, Michael Shynes, Katrina Stone, Dan Zeitune, Stanley Gurvich
Jr Thornton
I would bet Jason would give up a gallon or two diesel for a few more inches of fuel tank space. My problem with builders is they don’t think about maintenance or something needing replacement
Doug
Fantastic that you have finally made your way back to Curiosity! After many years boating I’ve learned the hard way that diesel fuel does not do well when it sits for a long time and you may want to research fuel “polishing” if you are not already aware. Moisture works its way into the tanks with changes in temperature over time and it will clog up your fuel filters quickly and persistently if the fuel is contaminated. Just something to watch out for and since you are working on the fuel tanks it may already be part of the plan. Best luck!
Marc Montero
Wow! A year! Your boat, that always seemed so pristine….amazing what weather, sun and absence can do. Just a reminder that it won’t take long for Earth to erase all remnants of humans once we’re gone! (That sounded dark, sorry) So excited for y’all tho. Your spirit is incredible and inspiring.
Amy
Ahhhhh the feeling of being home! Congratulations! Life is an adventure!
Shirley Gautreau
I am so very happy for you that you are back at your floating home! I know it has been very stressful during this time but a lot of good has come out of your confinement on Fiji which wouldn’t have happened otherwise. From a cute little pussy cat who might not have made it if not for both of you, to an animal shelter and hospital benefitting from your posting about all their good work, to a most important thing of all helping to get Mark his much needed medication to help save his life! I am not really a religious person but I sometimes think that some things were meant to be. Where would Pip and Mark be without your help? Good on you for your kind and compassionate ways and helping hands.
It is now time for you to enjoy your home again and I hope you get it back in the water sooner than later.
Much Love
YDion
Your attitude is contagious: When life give you lemons, make lemonade ! I admire the resilience you folks are showing…
And the song you chose to go along with the images on the ferry: WHAT A GOOD MATCH !!!
“Thank you so much…” for making us part of your journey…
About Creativity
Very good.
Peter Millman
Wow Congratulations on making it back!!! I wish I can help you guys with repairs to get Curiosity back in the water where she belongs.
JR Thornton
You seem to have incurred many unplanned costs due to Covid shutdown. If you feel comfortable about the finances i would be interested to know the costs of all or part of the expenses you have incurred due to your quarantine, (hotels, apartments, AirB&B, ferry ride, et al). Going forward it would be interesting to me to know costs you incur in your adventures i.e. tours, repair to the boat, entertainment, etc. Not trying to be nosey but while virtually traveling with you ’round the world it would be interesting to know the costs for us armchair travelers. Stay safe.
Curious Minion
On the sailing page of the blog there’s a tab marked “expenses.” In it you’ll find a recent post breaking down monthly expenses, there’s an older post with what it cost them to cruise the Bahamas for a year, and a bunch of additional videos. As for the extra quarantine expenses, one of them answered that same question on a YouTube comment:
“Oh, let’s not go down that red ink infested hole. I try not to think about it any more than I have too. Let’s just say it has been about double.”
Curious Minion
Ken Ford
Did you make it back to Curiosity just in time for Cyclone season? The video said it’s almost a year to the day since you left. I understand the disruption caused this year. Best of luck going forward.
Curious Minion
Yes they did! Cyclone season starts Nov. 1. One more thing to figure out/worry about. Aaah well.
Curious Minion
Tracey
Yay!!! Your home. Now the repairs.
Keep
Us updated!
Alan Solomon
Awesome and incredibly Great for you guys. It has definitely been a Long Strange Trip. Like everyone else said you both are amazing. Your patience with the pandemic, with yourselves (although you kept busy), with everything else going on around you is amazing. Staying out of the results and staying in action.
Having faith, hope, and forgiveness for everything this past year. I CANNOT believe it has been a year.
The truth is: What else were you going to do?? You had no choice but to accept reality. Great job to both of you! The only other thing is I wish I was there to help you.
Sleep well. You will need it!
Best,
Stephana M. Johnson
omg I’m balling like a baby watching you guys….I love you guys so much. your Light. You are brave and beautiful and I honor you. I’ll never complain again about anything…
You are home!! So happy for you.
JD
It might seem weird to say but those of us who aren’t even family or in-the-flesh friends think about you guys and worry about you. And we root for you. I even hear a song that reminds me of you. This song needs to be your anthem once you get Curiosity back on the water. Listen to the words – it is totally your journey this past year. It even opens with a weather vane at the beginning. Some of the lyrics “I think we’re on our way – finally out to sea, rollin on the waves, free.” Check it out: Current Carry by Vetiver – https://youtu.be/BZnYulU8kxk
Larry Mabra
Congratulations…”Don’t you love it when a plan comes together”.
Steve G
I gotta believe your 2020 budget and most of 2021 budget has been blown. I am going crazy being home, I can’t imagine what you have gone through. Congratulations on getting back.
Scott
I’m so happy y’all made it back to your boat. I’m praying for y’all.
Your videos are inspiring. Thanks for all the effort to communicate with us.
SPI
Dyanne Allegrini
HOORAY! What a long strange trip it’s been. keep hanging on to your positive attitudes. I’m guessing they will be tested going forward but as they say “There’s No Place Like Home”..Oh, and btw: How is Jason’s mom doing and what did she decide to do during this time? Enjoy the journey and stay well.
Tammy Bjugson
I must say I couldn’t wait all week until today to get this update. Your patience and perseverance along with your great attitudes are a lesson to us all. You are such an inspiration. So glad prayers were answered and you are back with Curiosity and praying all the repairs will not be as bad as it appears. Can’t wait to see all the progress in next week’s video. Blessings,
Ricki Glander
I like the “sense of entitlement” that you don’t have, so many people would have demanded so much, but you guys took everything as it came and were ready to go at the drop of a hat. I sort of expected a lot of tears but you held it together for the video. I hope you guys can get your lives back on track and carry on all the great work you do.
Mike Freimund
Considering the type of year it’s been, it was an excellent choice for Singa. Hard as that decision had to be.
sherry johnston
I know your excited just to see her will probably make you cry buckets (would me), then you can get her in the water; install all your new parts & SLEEP in YOUR BED!!! I know your beyond excited. So close yet so far. Praying time goes quickly for you to be sails up. 🤞🤞🤞🤞
Robin Knight
Wow I’m not even sure what to say. That whole experience was something ya just couldn’t make up. I hope the repairs go smoothly for you guys so you can get outa there before they change their mind and cage you up again. Joking of course!
Pat
So glad you made it back home safely.
Deborah Kerr
Welcome Home!! 🙂
Jeffrey Stenberg
Curiosity says: clean me, shine me, love me again. Welcome home !!! Not all in one day, take time to breathe.
Jane
Holey Moley! I forgot how long before the pandemic you left Curiosity for vacation! A year and two major storms, just sitting with no upkeep! Well you have lots of time to devote to boat, getting her in water and then waiting on permission to really sail…but to what that’s open? So very happy you got home!
Debbie
Your adventures bring me much joy, so excited for you.
Laurence
The crate being there and intact is nearly as much a miracle as you two finally getting there. I would like to thank Kjell and Adrianna someday but I cannot fathom how many years will have to pass before Americans can enter Tonga again.
Linda
So happy for you guys that you’re finally reunited with Curiosity!!! Now onto boat PROJECTS!😊
Jen Swain
So great that you’re back and starting to make Curiosity your home again! Congratulations and please stay healthy and safe. So happy you have good friends to help and house you 💗🎉🙏🏽🤗🦩
Theresa
I’m so HAPPY for you guys! Being Home soothes the soul! Congratulations!
Charles O Wetterman
Great to see you have finally made it to the boat. Now the real work begins, there is a saying about boats, airplanes, cars, and your body “if you don’t use it – you lose it”, so you start the boat refurbishing project, your body will catch up at the same rate……love you guys, wish I was there to help.
Pam McClure
Wow. Just wow. Welcome home.
JOHN SCHRETLEN
For a video that was seven months in the making this was such a pleasure to watch.