We interrupt your not-so-regularly scheduled blog post to take a few moments to reflect as we celebrate our 7 year splashiversary (the day Rhapsody was splashed into the water as our home). We bought Rhapsody in 2014, but officially moved aboard in November of 2016. As I look back over my pictures to try to decide what to include it is very daunting to try to cull it down to a reasonable number. So much has happened in 7 years, so many adventures, so many friends, so many changes.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii20chhImFluJF2PG1YL_b62IBxkIFxmymDwHNlhoUwI1iJEsOodDqEuqHUZrhqWMSA2sLYPlqjYuJqd_843SHCIHnUzMmQJOd4ZC0LXpjqnlRLTcqc83LCFcg2cXLp_yfpkv7rzrePCchyphenhyphen_WouDVAVvaFhuhvRe39GWdYoY5uBmb4jF9MDBirYW4mmNg/w510-h640/20161101_115840.jpg) |
November 2016 Nanny Cay, BVI |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPUehmjFxuOK0okUCjqEzeTTFb6NOCn1eg17c0ggVYpFUgq9KdQOat9kGKAh8VF9mkU-H3WgSfN_YERDpfNiaFdyg271O16c82cXQ0jzr4Bv4SelZe_2gju4ivqEckFR1QYJVct8Bgplxd4fOKVZoXnVXXtyV1tgkRh8-4tdaUp4z8wOhRHE7OouPbl6s/w640-h476/2017_1013_12554300.jpg) |
Always a joy to have the dolphins join us |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4adHXkzB3FpjX1wao1Y2kjIJ8QDTKybqfVXcKN1Ur93rNVWckL28gjR2FYoRRbUYRHiQ_wpvGzGTDozN1KGyCNjCCMUufdfVld56y1v3A6SOHxBlFrcfb6J4iiNg17Tq6dRuIHQix72i5TcBBOypS-PuZx9XZLQ04Ptxc5bVj1Rp6lOX_Ss1Jbzn5syo/w640-h378/IMG_20170120_184128152.jpg) |
Our first overnight sail, BVI to Sint Maarten with Mike and Robin on Mermaid. They taught us so much about making passages and charting our route. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzmnGDDkrUvzL5FAlr47s00DvuqO26Sc7JFEWSMbNVIVRrIYYs5ImtKWFptqU34o7cPfUHdcKbPw7x-Vb4tzo8mxrj_pG5yFtEsYYHeV-IDAjSDGajyMyTd7kdNMEnOzaQfvhfUZb6RnSJYrCzrCZZzhyR3A4aP347kJzYiUJuk-zlrDyHzsdN4LCx4zA/w640-h480/DSCF4203-001-EFFECTS.jpg) |
We have become acquainted with quite a few varieties of lizards, geckos and iguanas in our travels |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWQBjHfqjH8IN8XoH_hJmcgk36a80vrfgBQeisBDYGVk__VCVLKEXCqAwymSTK-TIcEbZ-II-rU7zzc8ZLP72ssbSCJ9QiWUIa8n9k77Gj3QDhuiXWwQDRcPD8R3okXwe-T5Lm-pSpq9DJdUMntxZCIX5fmPiRbVEBvU5DP_fmel2q5DMTCeuGDlMSquE/w640-h426/_DSC8769.jpg) |
Diving and snorkeling have been a constant activity throughout the years |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHuigJiWrF4TgYiS-B5ms_TbOWAqrweH2UM2WkGiGLWV7tyQFMxA6P_mqN6pBNCzn-Tx_tu5vWunz9EYJtbvR_IEcmR4HVDgcAeiLuS-SNVM_LTKM0z2sLUmmaWfd-a4nZzOThaVD48Sp3O9wN1FXJEiYZiuHEVozMRzGsCu-uj1v235SZO5qXK1bRpRc/w640-h360/Arriving%20in%20Sint%20Maarten%20.jpg) |
Never get tired of sunset pictures! |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-8RRstxScvkp62_VOcl0ocUdbAJ07p0oIPuEEcG-2j2R3JgQZLoHD62mChXP7RQ4ylMEX8V94iCEhS24j3Cwau7F070IiJhz-r7HsERwNipskXSJ2pc0xosv_LkQWFeReRO5tEpPq9ui2qiXkcPirrPNYADvsxm6QPnUodsEmiwGIiiWnFNdsFY2xP6k/w480-h640/2017_1225_12310300.jpg) |
Trying to spend as many Christmases underwater as possible |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3pmkhCWqsRQZLNieaJtFneoYulC7Nra_lWjqy59A_2v4riOnHVynQcj1DlZQ7hIVKIxqpTacDebKY1B2XPJwMp0igWiY6aAf-bbvtPLzahFddRIMPrYteEtaHhX6-UBfSbsrKaDjLj4NOY8DnJwgRihUJuMx3X43c_TVhhoJoXs6T4znz2GjhORV2Fi4/w360-h640/20171229_164134.jpg) |
In Bonaire the dive sites are marked with yellow rocks with the name painted on them. This was a gift to us from fellow cruisers, John and Ziggy, formerly on WindDancer IV, and remains a cherished gift. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeKUG2lfSquDGDG8DeyfcEEf51VIIpOEtzV5xIzymLkPwDmcHGDPcyXmn8QMYcHbri0Bm8nssIOro04oYK7gSTpp9c3mHjzOp1odrLKj-aHc00nj91zOPX1fjlvmnIjHNVnvcVO1pCsexTZHfGHlPJs378C9cLSY-Qr6xiAFIWs8MM4UQJq6FXXeXTuak/w640-h172/_DSC9268.JPG) |
So many places share these blue tones, my favorite combination of colors! |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV7Z9HmfUr-EzG0RZ4upTzlCHhV5PLduxjBM5J2Op93-FadxTnyW1yWbKupKM4II-cSqpp_jzHAvLI7GjeIYjCfCxuhhHxV5FvaydaBsYQbpk7BH8R54deill237zfxurp-X_o3DRlwMhPo4dIXzKz56mZXa7Co0IDDsNYL548LwKzHeYX9eg-xikvcI8/w640-h464/DSCF5006.JPG) |
A rare treat to see octopus, but always exciting |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXRFsp61r_Ey53Is8suTBkHyK1plnwBeqcqzV8LqBM249E7seWdv_lfc5e9D4O2_3wSULPZ2md_ajuU6-WPTAQkbo1YBHfoHpmtv4AS8wYqO7EiLhzrxS5058sz-vE7m0crdMn6XhE6VGOSgnsefLG0CXhyUkSNUVpb0pDxlGYy3n28vKrRC9i3NbJOkk/w480-h640/DSCF5730.JPG) |
Even rarer are sea horse spottings |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHvbAAGKUzJw6tD7svCW_3Uh880iCDuKlOIbftTBHjVHY1wzDjURGWEbGPoFIkMPDbaFLkgH8SBc-6tLZDUURcouW4bXKwxOYkE77lx9wDpXGZXMv6L1SXD4bPybdQ78TeQULB8K6gy3x2ywoCm8Qj5i47DXNS4pK8FgNe11Kgz39Y3UqmuYgCCg4MUGM/w416-h640/IMG_20180204_163901678.jpg) |
We have seen festivals in so many cultures |
9th
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZQAcCdgut20PvEfDrOlkkRUhp0ttoy4mQhE0V4rQYm5MQ0I3DiZoYegDkehni9IsLphFtbB23zESYZh2Y7of7gnCySoPC64aMsLnV6iW2wsCt0LjPlPFfgRTkaWEqB6-uIOar7G8pypzpR9CrCvbDPYzHfGS5XLEvRHlA48xPFbhcR-_yFLzHUvu22iY/w640-h640/IMG_20180214_103819_846.jpg) |
Celebrating Carnival |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr_vo978uwcX7GuZ-_A3jTOkYcxBvO_C6BrNHWP5CvojprlxEIZfkn62fQaN9cVVSRyJGYU1ay2ujbeaiINDR8f9X6npJ5mxwB5wIjppV5gLawJgy4_izOOqH07sS-QS9Zb_Xf3CIiom5O1Bq5u_EfcHbo0tGjH3_KFnSC9GTlzYs_wRDs79aKMHRivtE/w480-h640/IMG_2960.JPG) |
We have encountered lots of wildlife in various islands |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYVAyiMgQ2krdFLt_-73DXjMftxS4lRj9QMiZMCPlHNN8p8dcK4U0GwO8oCTi_rxOGBjvegg2JMCkePg-nqz1gQif0apGkN9h80ajDRMCdL9ngzBIs2osTi5X1zGyKTplC9qwL8ZqyKrv9kqHfuWARVtAboh7uKIi04U3qK33zFxUeVAs4_PlvUUk5h84/w640-h360/IMG_20181016_110016356.jpg) |
Another picture of the transition of blues, snorkeling in the light blue to the right, diving in the dark blue to the left |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii1ATvOxcU5I6vwcnvRSfJtIY8VuDLJ4SKbWAWqigMwN1K2QP5hdp6__CcqKYKF0p76KdudBgavo77_pLNj_aukkLjO6OliSl-UrRkdBI2djkk0DJstWi-vWdp3W-CQ1LBxen_UlqONn7CwAEfyXaBJFEHhInF_Xt2P5BSuH0yW-4rsGNnhpgvfSWWRZo/w640-h426/DSC00161.JPG) |
Flamingos! |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ttl4YxraPTKfu6dd55dvC9Q-U9xRmaH8HEW-yjPAFUZ3B9cTYeU6IDTP9ylA0OTJQCJBPn9PjYvKcWFul0RBu4qmPdMQC4zEWB1Z89igJFHwVebaFqciMIpK5Xbi1NCv_vEXj7cscDmtuYYGy-c6lGoNjSdXPBLD5_K6N4QQlSl7md3VcM4f0uNGHL4/w640-h426/DSC02189.JPG) |
More festivals in French Polynesia |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggzKkcJ1fbH5H7buA204iuMS5xC2q0PObMgpcp6_0UNdX5Ryvepfz7qD0RBYQRw1UQhkXRLngpAZJ_i5eNBiF3qxLQLgp-ETw7m7Dhu7fywxByi9vjii4pZ_6zbwZQdt4UxWpn-TrS6w4Hg9dT1B6h1BzIsdsuBroRiQV_7fB-BiQgSILrBxfu43TRBTM/w426-h640/DSC02437.JPG) |
very different from the Caribbean |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcOT753iJm06D-H4wDXIBPf5lca5beK-tJgFoSg0kCVCyWfeHokG2yfPVHcmd-xG4vxOFz2r2n9pbQV5tvxLcreYwXCUT2svIS-RGZOpB-MHLRKJBpxY01VwLsvJ1XweML5zuyHJWXHHyRoVjvqRIAyzhe1fk9QGH8w2E_XkLf0No9m7TRsXv6iKckvz4/w640-h360/FB_IMG_1683145559209~2.jpg) |
Swimming with Manta Rays in French Polynesia with Liane and Andrew on WaveRiders
|
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdQFllo-hjLsVELJCF-IohaS78XzJAO_eboflvirYYhbiLSgyvIfn2VVgLqTg3OZ-GhyvEaIpAZX-RZbanZTESKrrV2nSlbw-kNuf0tCrXEP5ccUkrP49c_HiiaBVyaTWGnq9vM2i5bFVoHd30IaLBHGk_SiUKe63gEuONLftx-aFefb-xjiP9FMWzZto/w582-h640/DSC01190~2.JPG) |
Monkeys in Panama |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNiHxGsm_u_1VkKMjxdSK7jd5AeRLs1kPSG8JVw6gRLr_FpZA6EtqPWC9zjnyFLs86E5-aaTdIzLbmU4lsGCqXvtJcXbvQ3WTlo-pOuVRVEC0bONKcqeIjcwUDl5TxIoowtf6fAcRBsIEClceSFV5xJoSCXcVSi0LDpjTH1J8IvoQVzODI5fnzTNG1BIw/w640-h480/IMG_20190106_103706611_HDR.jpg)
|
Monkeys in Colombia
|
Traveling to the
Galapagos
But it hasn't all been sunshine and mantas, we have had our share of problems,
autopilot failures, a
lightning strike,
fires,
equipment failures, and
less-than-fun passages.
All of the above were great learning opportunities, specifically learning, as much as possible, how to avoid the issues next time! Unfortunately the next time will probably be a
new issue, to learn from!
Here's to year 8, may it be full of adventure, friends, diving, and a minimal amount of equipment failures and related issues!
We love to hear your comments.
Living the dream --you 2 are amazing!!!! Sending lotsa love!
Thanks!
Seven years well spent!
We like to think so!
Post a Comment