News Update 1^st September 2010

It was great to see all of my remaining family and friends in Switzerland even though the occasion was a sad one. After returning from Switzerland it was all go again. It was mainly with building "My Little Round House". The driveway got extended, the laundry tiled, the living room is in the final stages of tiling and only the bathroom to go. We also had an interested party who would like to buy some land from me. We were already in the 7 th month of drought and no towns water reached the land to be built on.One of the conditions was to supply water to the top. There are many deep well around the place and we decided to get people in to dig a well for us. For 4 weeks we dug. There was clay as sticky as Epoxy glue and then we had rocks meters deep. The drill bit and pipes also got lost in 20 meters depth due to a pipe breaking. We started a new well again but after 2 weeks and still no water at 30 meters depth I gave up. The financial loss was US$2500.-Ouch. To rub salt into the wounds the rain finally arrived. We also found a major leak in the Towns water pipe and after this one was fixed we got water to the top of the land. The Interested party now agreed to buy the land. There are still more things to do on my little round house, but progress is slow and money is tight.

For a long time I wanted to visit Vietnam and the opportunity had arrived to join Lan Chau and family in Vietnam for 2 weeks. I look forward to that experience. In Oct./Nov. I fly to Sydney for my 2 yearly visit to see the accountant and the Taxman, as well as many of my friends. Little Swan is idle on a typhoon mooring. The weather is unsettled and it is too risky cruising around while possible Typhoons are lurking in the Philippine sea. Every Sunday I go to Little Swan, start the engine, pump the bilges, clean up the birdshit. My Sat.phone is down again. Only month ago I spend a lot of money having it repaired and now its R/S again.

For the coming year I have the first cruise booked and hope more will follow. Little Swan is booked from Christmas until 20th of January and ready to go again. There are 2 people interested to form a group of 4 to share the expenses. If you are single, but still want to do a 2 week of Island hopping to the favorite spots of the Philippines, don’t hesitate do email me. I am still planning to head up to Japan in April next year and if I find the courage to sail to Alaska from there.

Cheers

Toni

Little Swan is sailing the Philippine Islands. We are offering adventure trips to various Philippine Islands or your choice of destinations. Puerto Galera will be the home base as it is relatively close to Manila and international flights. We do day trips or even half day trips around the Puerto Galera vicinity. Adventure trips are offered to Boracay, Coron Isl. Palawan, El Nido or any destination you like except Mindanao.

Join us in this rare offer to experience the Philippines Islands from a cruising yacht point of view. Take it easy and relax from the rat race.

Cruising during Typhoon season from now until December is not really recommended.

For more information on how to join us please read the Section “How to join the Boat” or email to: svlittleswan@yahoo.com.au

Japan 2011

I would like cruise next year. Departing the Philippines about April 2011 Adventures Participants wanted!

Crew position is a Yachtie terminology for participating persons (crew) on board Little Swan and to satisfy the authorities. It is not a paid position and cost sharing is welcome. Please contact me on my email address svlittleswan@yahoo.com.au for bookings. Or phone /text me on :0063 9298867582

Thank you
Toni (owner/Skipper of Little Swan)

Read more >>

We offer people the opportunity to participate in sailing on trans-ocean passages and visit places not easily accessible to tourists.

Feel the power of the wind in the sails, experience the overwhelming expanse of the oceans, learn to accept the forces of nature and sense the achievement of ocean travel and life at sea.

Many people share the dream of being able to sail the oceans on board a relatively large and comfortable cruising yacht. However, very few of them actually live out their dreams.

Here is your chance. This is your opportunity to experience the age old sensation of being one with nature and to feel the sun and salt spray on your skin as you sail the waters of distant seas.  The ultimate freedom too, is to be able to choose where to go, what to explore and when to drop anchor.

You will be pleasantly surprised to learn how affordable it is. The "share-cost-arrangement" starts from 600 Euros per month per person.

Our philosophy is quite simple. Each cruise is undertaken in the spirit of adventure, to explore oceans and distant lands, to meet people and marvel at their customs and culture, to cruise off the well-beaten tourist track and experience life at sea.

Our concept provides you with the unique opportunity of really learning how the boat is operated from a hands-on perspective, while cruising through paradise. Due to the complexity of the craft, the Owner/Skipper is always there for advice and help.

Little Swan is fitted out to let you feel at home with ample creature comforts and is a safe and seaworthy vessel.

Little Swan is a privately owned sail / cruising vessel circumnavigating the world at a leisurely pace.

From time to time the owner/skipper invites people to join as "crew" (passenger) to participate in these trans-oceanic passages.

You can participate in every aspect of the smooth running of the yacht. With advanced learning, you can even be in charge of the vessel with minimum supervision.

Interested?

Other Adventure and Seafaring Links:

National Geographic Adventure Magazine

Living Aboard

Yachting World

Seven Seas Cruising

Sailing Magazine

Asia Boating