As we prepare to head to the Philippines this week, we have been discussing our plans to sail to Japan. And they’re starting to come together… We have been talking to the Director of the Japan Ocean Cruising Club, Mr Koichiro “KC” Ohno about joining the Setouchi Rally in 2021. Click here for full post: […] More
Travellers everywhere love to take pics of the beautiful places they find. But what about the places that are so dangerous the authorities won’t let you go there? Maybe the animals or humans will kill you? Or maybe you’ll get poisoned? These are seven places where, even if you have Click here for full post: […] More
Travellers everywhere love to take pics of the beautiful places they find. But what about the places that are so dangerous the authorities won’t let you go there? Maybe the animals or humans will kill you? Or maybe you’ll get poisoned? These are seven places where, even if you have Click here for full post: […] More
I LOVE all the great SPAM Mail I’ve come back to on the website after an interesting two weeks in the boatyard. PLEASE keep it up…but I’m really bummed that you guys don’t think I need any more Viagra Spam mail. Really folks…I was looking forward to seeing all those More
https://livefree2sailfast.com/2019/03/02/haul-out-and-yard-work-on-the-horizon-for-tulum-v After I published the project list (above) I had discussed with the boatyard, I started thinking through everything I would work on while Tulum was out of the water. This is in addition to getting the kids fed and to/from school every day (Quincy will be in the kennel More
The Iya Valley is nestled deep in the heart of Shikoku and is considered one of Japan’s ‘hidden regions’. It is little known, little visited, and quite remote. It is also stunningly beautiful. How do we know all of this? Because we live there – at least for the moment! Now that you know about […] More
It’s Obon week in Japan! Iya has gotten insanely busy over the last few days. People are coming from all over Japan, but why? Well, let us give you a simplified rundown of what’s going on, not just in Iya, but all across the country right now. Obon, or Bon, is a Buddhist tradition originating […] More
Here is yet another popular Japanese dish for you to try at home: Okonomiyaki! Although sometimes referred to as ‘Japanese pizza’, it is in fact more similar to a pancake. A batter mixed with shredded or finely chopped cabbage serves as a base, with a wide variety of toppings at your disposal. You really get […] More
On the day Esper was due to go back in the water, gusts of 40kts and a weather warning to shipping meant Millie and Jamie felt safer below decks. Even there they felt her swaying and shuddering! Here on followtheboat we like to make life difficult for ourselves, so while Esper was swinging from the […] More
I have this extraordinary ability to call anywhere ‘home’ (not to be confused with ‘Home’, which refers to my parents’ house in France). It could be a guesthouse, a campsite, a van, a boat – basically anywhere my rucksack comes to rest for a few consecutive nights. I picked this habit up when backpacking India, […] More
Mount Miune – Standing 1,893 meters (6,211 feet), it’s Shikoku’s third highest peak. In the midst of rainy season, we were gifted a rare sunny day and decided to take the opportunity to hike our first mountain in Japan. We set off from the house around 7am and headed toward the town of Nagoro (The […] More
Omurice – a contraction of the words ‘omelette’ and ‘rice’ (duh) is a hugely popular dish across Japan, whether cooked at home or eaten in a dedicated omurice restaurant, it seems to be among everyone’s favourites. We had it for the first time at a restaurant with friends, having been taken there specifically to try […] More