Behan Gifford

LATEST ARTICLES ( 537 )

• Wakatobi: Beautiful Water, Troubled Water

  

  We've been hearing for a while about the impressive underwater life in the Wakatobi region (cruiser types, this is probably spelled Wakatohi on your charts, a... Read more

  Posted on 17 April 2013 FAMILY, OUTDOORS, SEA, TRAVEL

• Friends from Afar

  

  We are watching weather the whole time we’re in Banda, because our dear friend Hyo is coming to meet us. But she’ll be meeting us at an island on the other... Read more

  Posted on 15 April 2013 FAMILY, OUTDOORS, SEA, TRAVEL

• Banda: the Memories That Stick

  

  Jubilant Mairen A big part of the reason we are out on this crazy adventure as a family is because Jamie and I believe it is a great way for our children to gro... Read more

  Posted on 12 April 2013 FAMILY, OUTDOORS, SEA, TRAVEL

• Adopted Again, and Taught About Spice

  

  The kindness of strangers is incredible. Once again we find ourselves in gratitude for the great friendliness and hospitality of Indonesian families who have... Read more

  Posted on 10 April 2013 FAMILY, OUTDOORS, SEA, TRAVEL

• Exploring the Banda Islands

  

  There’s still a bit of a side roll slapping Totem around when we head out to Banda, but it’s manageable and we’ve got a bit of moonlight to help us along. Read more

  Posted on 08 April 2013 FAMILY, OUTDOORS, SEA, TRAVEL

• The Boat as a Platform for Entertainment

  

  Good weather is elusive, and we’re not interested in a bash to the Bandas, so a week passes in Saparua. With the extra time, perhaps it’s not too surprising tha... Read more

  Posted on 05 April 2013 FAMILY, OUTDOORS, SEA, TRAVEL

• Waiting for Weather in Kota Saparua

  

  We had a mostly grey week of watching for weather to sail down to the Banda islands. The anchorage off the main town was much more flat and secure, so we had a... Read more

  Posted on 03 April 2013 FAMILY, OUTDOORS, SEA, TRAVEL

• It’s All Your Point of View

  

  We nestled into the south harbor of Saparua, right in front of an imposing fort. Fort Duurstede was built by the Dutch in the 1670s. Read more

  Posted on 01 April 2013 FAMILY, OUTDOORS, SEA, TRAVEL

• In Search of Pottery, We Find a Fort

  

  At the Siwa Lima museum in Ambon, our docent showed us old pottery that was still made at Ouw village at the southeastern corner of Sapaura island. Read more

  Posted on 28 March 2013 FAMILY, OUTDOORS, SEA, TRAVEL

• A Quick Trip Home to the USA

  

  In just a few weeks, I’ll be back home on Bainbridge Island for the first time in almost five years. It’s only for a few days, but I’m so excited! Most importan... Read more

  Posted on 27 March 2013 FAMILY, OUTDOORS, SEA, TRAVEL

• More Underwater Loveliness

  

  We had a lot of comments on the underwater photos, so I thought I'd share a few more. Raja Ampat was simply breathtaking. Several people asked what kind of... Read more

  Posted on 25 March 2013 FAMILY, OUTDOORS, SEA, TRAVEL

• Eating Our Way Through Ambon

  

  We’re told that Ambon is looking for a moniker. We met a woman who had worked to promote Ambon as a tourist destination, who said there was some tension... Read more

  Posted on 22 March 2013 FOOD & DRINK

• Time for a Break: Parking in Ambon

  

  Peaceful sunsets from Ambon's inner harbor We've been pressing to keep Totem moving for months. The pressure started before we left Australia: trying to sort ou... Read more

  Posted on 20 March 2013 FAMILY, OUTDOORS, SEA, TRAVEL

• Misool Eco Resort: a Slice of Heaven

  

  The Misool Eco Resort is nestled in another string of islands below our nook in the karst maze. We’ve heard about this beautiful place from other cruisers who... Read more

  Posted on 18 March 2013 FAMILY, OUTDOORS, SEA, TRAVEL

• Southern Raja Ampat’s Underwater Drama

  

  Raja Ampat underwater is one stunning tableau after another Raja Ampat is famous for its marine life: it is alleged to be among the most biodiverse in the world. Read more

  Posted on 15 March 2013 OUTDOORS, SEA, TRAVEL

• Raft-up: Moving Aboard Your Floating Home

  

  There is no “right” way to move aboard and go cruising: the books and blogs are full of different stories that reflect individual approaches and circumstances. Read more

  Posted on 13 March 2013 FAMILY, HOME, HOME IMPROVEMENT, OUTDOORS, SEA, TRAVEL

• Crazy Anchoring in Raja Ampat

  

  Anchoring in most of Raja Ampat has been challenging to say the least. Depths of 100 feet and more are common; so are strong currents. We experienced this both... Read more

  Posted on 11 March 2013 FAMILY, OUTDOORS, SEA, TRAVEL

• Misool’s Conservation Crew

  

  This little island is home to camps for itinerant fishermen and a resident conservation crew We’re anchored for mere minutes before the dinghy is splashed and w... Read more

  Posted on 08 March 2013 FAMILY, OUTDOORS, SEA, TRAVEL

• South to Misool

  

  Our route is planned to take us through islets in the southern portion of Raja Ampat. We have a week and a half before Dan flies out of Ambon, 350 miles to our... Read more

  Posted on 06 March 2013 FAMILY, OUTDOORS, SEA, TRAVEL

• 24 Hours in Sorong

  

  Back in Sorong, we nestle in among the liveaboard dive boats in the harbor. One of the blogs that fed our dreams was that of the Dreamkeeper. Read more

  Posted on 05 March 2013 FAMILY, OUTDOORS, SEA, TRAVEL