Our passage from the Gambier Islands to Raivavae was seven days of the most peaceful ocean sailing imaginable. We always had just enough breeze to keep our sails filled and when the breeze picked up, we caught our first fish since our passage to the Galápagos (https://svtheredthread.com/2016/07/07/pollywogs-no-mas-transequatorial-passage-from-panama-to-the-galapagos-video/)! What a sight Raivavae was to behold. The Isle of Blue Sky (the literal translation of Raivavae) quickly stole our hearts. We spent more time with Mike and Gill on s/v Romano, made new friends with the crews of Tamata and Pau Hana, explored from sea to sky, and experienced interesting cultural happenings. We hope you enjoy this little vlog trip to Raivavae! Read more about our passage from the Gambier Islands to Raivavae, as well as our time on Raivavae at the following blogs. This island is truly paradise! Dare we depart port on Friday the 13th?: https://svtheredthread.com/2017/01/15/dare-we-depart-port-on-friday-the-13th/ Paddling and pedaling as a cruiser quartet: Getting to know Raivavae: https://svtheredthread.com/2017/01/19/paddling-and-pedaling-as-a-cruiser-quartet-getting-to-know-raivavae/ A dirty game of "Dodge the Bommie": https://svtheredthread.com/2017/01/21/a-dirty-game-of-dodge-the-bommie/ Summit a mountain, endure a gale, and hitchhike to church: https://svtheredthread.com/2017/03/12/summit-a-mountain-endure-a-gale-and-hitchhike-to-church/ Bon appétit! Diner à Chez Linda: https://svtheredthread.com/2017/03/18/bon-appetit-diner-a-chez-linda/ LINKS Blog: http://svtheredthread.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/svtheredthread/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/svtheredthread FILM BY: Jessie MUSIC: Clean Bandit (feat. Jess Glynne) - "Rather Be" Kenny Chesney - "Boats" Äudionautix - "Chasin' It"* Trevor Hall - "The Mountain" Voices from the Austral Islands at the Protestant Church at Anatonu, Raivavae *This song is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/.

After the challenging 12-day sail from Rapa Nui (Easter Island) to the Gambier Islands, we savored our first taste of French Polynesia. The Gambiers are rarely visited by cruisers because they are off the more popular "Coconut Milk Run" route from the Americas, wherein landfall is typically made in the northern island chain of the Marquesas. Despite having to tackle some rather unpleasant boat projects, we had plenty of fun and learned a lot! We hiked the second highest peak on the island of Mangareva, visited a pearl farm, and enjoyed the company of a local family and trio of young sailors who had taken up residence on the out-island of Taravai. Neil successfully speared his first fish, we got out the drone, and we spent a lot of time with our new friends on s/v Romano. If we have our druthers, we'll get back there again?it was worth the long, lonely sail to get there! Read more about our time in the Gambier Islands, including our visit to Michel's pearl farm, at the posts below. All work and no play: https://svtheredthread.com/2016/12/10/all-work-and-no-play/ Once upon a floating mountain: https://svtheredthread.com/2016/12/14/once-upon-a-floating-mountain/ Pearls?the queen of gems and the gem of queens: https://svtheredthread.com/2016/12/17/the-queen-of-gems-and-the-gem-of-queens/ Three sparrows, one family, and a dog with a phantom pregnancy: https://svtheredthread.com/2016/12/21/three-sparrows-one-family-and-a-dog-with-a-phantom-pregnancy/ LINKS Blog: http://svtheredthread.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/svtheredthread/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/svtheredthread FILM BY: Jessie MUSIC: Clean Bandit (feat. Jess Glynne) - "Rather Be" Twin Musicom - "Santo Rico" & "Rauchus"* Ben Harper w/the Blind Boys of Alabama - "Take My Hand" These songs by Twin Musicom are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ & https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

Our passage from Rapa Nui (Easter Island) to the Gambiers Islands of French Polynesia was one of extremes. For nearly four days, we soared beneath our genoa alone and made over 6 knots average! On the flipside, we were pummeled by two back-to-back gales that made our last five days challenging and exhausting. We were forced to bypass famous Pitcairn (where the Bounty mutineers eventually settled), which was a big disappointment, but the challenges taught us important lessons in accepting things beyond our control. The passage also made us better sailors. We hope you enjoy this video! Read more about the passage by clicking below. A tale of a gale at 25° south: https://svtheredthread.com/2016/11/15/a-tale-of-a-gale-at-25-south/ Twelve days of trials and tribulations on a tempestuous sea: https://svtheredthread.com/2016/11/24/twelve-days-of-trials-and-tribulations-on-a-tempestuous-sea/ LINKS Blog: http://svtheredthread.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/svtheredthread/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/svtheredthread FILM BY: Jessie MUSIC: Clean Bandit (feat. Jess Glynne) - "Rather Be" David Gray - "Sail Away" One Drop - "The Heist" Florence + The Machine - "What the Water Gave Us"

**VIDEO MAY NOT WORK ON MOBILE PHONES** Reaching Rapa Nui aboard The Red Thread was an immense accomplishment for us, and given that some boats reach the island only to find swell conditions untenable, we were truly fortunate to enjoy 18 incredible days there in April! Seas collide with the island after thousands of miles of wide open ocean, making the nights rolly?but poor sleep was a meager price to pay for the opportunity to explore one of the world's most mysterious gems. We hiked and explored the island's monuments and spent time in three different anchorages. It was more beautiful than we expected, and we loved our time there. Neil also got a TATTOO - an unforgettable stop indeed! Read more about our time on Easter Island in the two blog posts below: https://svtheredthread.com/2016/10/12/rapa-nui-on-the-heels-of-hotu-matua/ https://svtheredthread.com/2016/10/19/rapa-nui-moai-misfortune-and-a-mysterious-cult/ LINKS Blog: http://svtheredthread.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/svtheredthread/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/svtheredthread FILM BY: Jessie MUSIC: Clean Bandit (feat. Jess Glynne) - "Rather Be" Audionautix - "Acoustic Guitar 1"* Riot - "Green Forest" Doug Maxwell - "A Good Day on the African Planes" Kevin MacLeod - "Babylon"** U2 - "Every Breaking Wave" LOCATION: Rapa Nui (Easter Island), Chile

**VIDEO MAY NOT WORK ON MOBILE PHONES** Our passage to from the Galápagos to Rapa Nui (Easter Island), Chile, tried our perseverance like no other passage we'd experienced. The trade winds had more south in them than we'd anticipated, so for most of the passage we close-reached, sailing 55 to 75 degrees off the wind in 18 to 30 knots. This meant we spent most of our time heeled over hard, all the while bashing into 2- to 3-meter seas that were very close together. Some moments were challenging; others humorous (mostly because we both felt a bit delirious at times); and some were beautiful and raw. Fourteen days and 4 hours after we departed Galápagos, we dropped our hook in Anakena anchorage on the northern coast of Rapa Nui, one of the most remote inhabited islands on earth. LINKS Blog: http://svtheredthread.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/svtheredthread/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/svtheredthread FILM BY: Jessie MUSIC: Clean Bandit (feat. Jess Glynne) - "Rather Be" Trevor Hall - "O Haleakala" Capital Cities - "Safe and Sound" Coldplay - "Adventure of a Lifetime" LOCATION: The stretch of ocean between the Galápagos (Ecuador) and Rapa Nui (Easter Island), Chile

Cooking at sea can be a rather amusing adventure! At the end of this little fiasco, this galley wench produced a delicious tofu curry. LINKS Blog: http://svtheredthread.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/svtheredthread/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/svtheredthread FILM BY: Jessie MUSIC: Clean Bandit (feat. Jess Glynne) - "Rather Be" Unknown artist - "Cartoon Hoedown"

Just a little teaser of the five dives we did at Rainbow Reef off the east coast of Vanua Levu, Fiji! The color, structure, and life are truly incredible! LINKS Blog: http://svtheredthread.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/svtheredthread/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/svtheredthread FILM BY: Jessie MUSIC: Alan Menken (The Little Mermaid) - "Under the Sea" LOCATION: Rainbow Reef (east of the island Vanua Levu), Fiji

**VIDEO MAY NOT WORK ON MOBILE PHONES** On Isla Isabela in the Galápagos, we saw our first tropical penguins and spent more time than we care to recall tackling repairs. We experienced one of the most memorable excursions of our entire trip at Los Tunneles. There, we snorkeled with dozens of giant Galápagos' sea turtles, sharks, and cownose eagle rays and explored one of the most incredible landscapes we've ever seen! We also got to spend a night with Riley and Elayna from the infamous La Vagabonde! If you are bound for the Galápagos, be sure to make your way to Isla Isabela. LINKS Blog: http://svtheredthread.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/svtheredthread/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/svtheredthread FILM BY: Jessie & Neil MUSIC: Clean Bandit (feat. Jess Glynne) - "Rather Be" Trevor Hall - "Indigo" Trevor Hall - "O Haleakala" LOCATION: Isla Isabela in the Galápagos (Ecuador)

We didn't expect to adore the Galápagos' most touristy island, but we did! We explored the town of Puerto Ayora, walked some of the most incredible stretches of beach we've ever seen, marveled at the marine iguanas, trekked through a lava tunnel, saw giant tortoises in action (literally and figuratively) in the wild, and scuba'd with sea lions and sharks. It was a wonderful stop in our journey, made all the more memorable because we still had Lori aboard! We hope you enjoy this taste of Isla Santa Cruz! LINKS Blog: http://svtheredthread.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/svtheredthread/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/svtheredthread FILM BY: Jessie & Neil MUSIC: Clean Bandit (feat. Jess Glynne) - "Rather Be" Clarian - "Siren's Call" Iron & Wine - "Boy with a Coin" Coleman Hell - "Fortress" LOCATION: Isla Santa Cruz in the Galápagos (Ecuador)

Check out our first few days in the Galápagos on Isla San Cristóbal, the archipelago's easternmost island. We attended the Galápagos' birthday celebration, snorkeled with sea lion pups, and saw our first giant tortoises at the Galapaguera. LINKS Blog: http://svtheredthread.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/svtheredthread/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/svtheredthread FILM BY: Jessie MUSIC: Clean Bandit (feat. Jess Glynne) - "Rather Be" X Ambassadors - "Renegades" LOCATION: Isla San Cristóbal in the Galápagos (Ecuador)

On February 12th, we set sail out of Isla Parida, Panama, bound for the Islas Secas, a mere 20 nautical miles away. The Gods of the Winds had other plans, however. After an hour of beating hard into 30 knots of breeze and fighting to stay on course, we yielded to nature's demands and spun downwind to begin a 700-nautical mile downwind sail to the fabled Galápagos archipelago. This video captures the delights our first true bluewater crossing, including our EQUATOR CROSSING and Shellback ceremony, a passage we were lucky to share with our good friend and crewmate, Lori. LINKS Blog: http://svtheredthread.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/svtheredthread/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/svtheredthread FILM BY: Jessie MUSIC: Clean Bandit (feat. Jess Glynne) - "Rather Be" Zac Brown Band - "Where the Boat Leaves From" Blondie - "Tide is High" LOCATION: The big blue sea, from Western Panama to Isla San Cristóbal in the Galápagos

After we recommissioned The Red Thread in Costa Rica, we kicked off our second season of cruising with a bang! We reunited with friends on s/v Ohana who we met in Mexico a year prior, explored Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio yet again, dove at Isla del Caño, picked up crew in Golfito, and sailed into Panama, where we explored lovely Isla Parida and met a truly delightful family. We also flew our DJI Phantom Drone for the first time! Sail on! LINKS Blog: http://svtheredthread.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/svtheredthread/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/svtheredthread FILM BY: Jessie MUSIC: Clean Bandit (feat. Jess Glynne) - "Rather Be" One Drop - "Revolution" Olive - "You're Not Alone" Dawn Golden - "All I Want" (Manila Killa remix) Bob Marley - "One Love" LOCATION: Costa Rica + Western Panama

**Re-uploaded with music issue resolved!** A huge thanks to Link at Osa Divers for leading us on two spectacular dives! From stingrays to reef sharks to sea turtles to giant schools of jacks, our time at Isla del Caño was unforgettable! Enjoy this taste of some of the best diving Pacific Costa Rica has to offer! FILM BY: Jessie & Neil MUSIC: Olive - "You're Not Alone" LOCATION: Isla del Caño, Costa Rica LINKS Blog: http://svtheredthread.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/svtheredthread/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/svtheredthread?ty=h

After our six-month working hiatus in the States, we returned to The Red Thread in Costa Rica. This flick documents our return travel and the 16 days we spent recommissioning her in preparation for our Pacific crossing. FILM BY: Jessie MUSIC: Dido - "Don't Leave Home" Imagine Dragons - "Working Man" Avicii - "Wake Me Up" Alex H. - "Blood Moon" LOCATION: Marina Pez Vela, Quepos, Costa Rica LINKS Blog: http://svtheredthread.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/svtheredthread/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/svtheredthread?ty=h

One of the things we learned about cruising during our first season is that moving too quickly or visiting coastal ports alone, without traveling inland, is not truly experiencing a nation. After electing not to traverse the Pacific in 2015, we immersed ourselves in Central America and enjoyed three inland backpacking trips. We celebrated high holidays, trekked two volcanos, and helped our friends on s/v Meridian take their boat through the Panama Canal. These months were the highlight of our first season of cruising. FILM BY: Jessie MUSIC: Matisyahu - "Time of Your Song" One Drop - "No Good Reason" The Naked and Famous - "Young Blood" David Gray - "Back in the World" LOCATION: Central America, including El Salvador, Guatemala, Honuras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama LINKS Blog: http://svtheredthread.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/svtheredthread/

Our trek thru Mexico and Costa Rica was a beautiful combination of highs and lows. We bonded with new friends, enjoyed the tropical sun with Neil's mom, persevered through unexpected repairs, sailed through squalls, reveled at marine wildlife, and rendez-boozed with friends in Costa Rica. FILM BY: Jessie MUSIC: Ben Lee - "Whatever it is" For the Foxes - "Moonlight Ride" Trevor Hall - "Wishman" LOCATION: Pacific Mexico to Northern Costa Rica LINKS Blog: http://svtheredthread.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/svtheredthread/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/svtheredthread?ty=h

This video recounts our 9-day, 850-nautical mile passage from Manzanillo to Chiapas, Mexico during February 2015. We experienced our first lightning storm, saw dolphins nearly every day, and witnessed a beautiful acrobatic show by a humpback whale. Read more about this passage at svtheredthread.com/2015/04/09/long-jumping-from-manzanillo-to-chiapas/. FILM BY: Jessie MUSIC: Florence and the Machine - "Breathe of Life" LOCATION: Pacific coast of Mexico - Manzanillo to Chiapas LINKS Blog: http://svtheredthread.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/svtheredthread/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/svtheredthread?ty=h

This flick shows off a day in the life of a hermit CRAB on the beaches of Bahia Huevos in northern Costa Rica. I want the world to know that these little squatters are among my favorite critters! Read more about our time in this delightful little anchorage at http://svtheredthread.com/2015/06/15/howlers-and-hermits-at-huevos/ FILM BY: Jessie MUSIC: Diana Ross - "I'm Coming Out" LOCATION: Bahia Huevos, Costa Rica LINKS Blog: http://svtheredthread.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/svtheredthread/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/svtheredthrea...

The crew of s/v The Red Thread stopped over in Nicaragua and went inland for much-needed off-the-boat R&R during April 2015. This video takes you to Volcán Cerro Negro, Central America's youngest volcano, where we exercised our inner daredevil. Join us as we fly down the cinder-cone slope! Read more about our volcano exploration at: http://svtheredthread.com/2015/11/13/sampling-the-pacific-ring-of-fire-two-volcanoes-in-two-days/ FILM BY: Neil MUSIC: Imagine Dragons - "Fallen" LOCATION: Volcán Cerro Negro, Nicaragua LINKS Blog: http://svtheredthread.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/svtheredthread/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/svtheredthread?ty=h

Although we have yet to stitch together all of our Season 1 footage, we have created a brief film to re-introduce ourselves and to sum up our "freshman year" of cruising. We sailed the waters from Washington State to Central Costa Rica. We hope you enjoy the video and that some of our experiences nurture your interest in voyaging by sea or exploring Mexico and Central America. In addition, herein we share plans for our second season...lots of BIG BLUE ahead! This year, we've decided to create a PATREON profile to give those of you interested in seeing more cruising flicks an avenue to help support us in creating them. Visit https://www.patreon.com/svtheredthread?ty=h for more information about how you can become a Patron. FILM BY: Jessie MUSIC: OneRepublic - "I lived" LOCATION: Pacific coast of the Americas - Washington State to Costa Rica LINKS Blog: http://svtheredthread.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/svtheredthread/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/svtheredthread?ty=h