For those of you that do not know, Dogbark has tied up at the dock in Honolulu at the Waikiki Yacht Club. We have settled in to a casual daily routine, and I’d like to share it with you so you know what it’s like to live at the dock.
6:30 am: If Savai and I are in the mood for a run, Dad takes us to either the nearby Ala Moana Park or Waikiki Beach. Our routes are about 3 miles and the whole process takes about 30 minutes. We have to run early before the sun comes up and all runners are doomed by the heat. If Savai and I don’t run then Dad runs 4-7 miles.
7:00 am: We get back from our run and jump in the pool. If Dad runs by himself then he comes back to Dogbark and wakes us up. We usually swim 15 laps then play with pool floaties or dive or do backflips or have underwater tea parties. Mom, who gets up super early to write, continues writing while we are swimming.
7:45 am: We return to Dogbark for breakfast and to get ready for school.
8:00 am to 11:00 am: Boatschool! We generally do our work independently, although sometimes Mom and Dad come up fun projects as an extra challenge or to help us learn something.
11:00 am: We clean up after boatschool and eat lunch.
11:30 am to 3:30 pm: We do any chores that need to be done (rinse off the decks, fill water tanks, clean rooms, do dishes, etc.) Then we mount our daily expedition like walking to the nearby Asian store for a delicious cultural experience, biking through a park, visiting a nearby arboretum with other cruising friends, hiking to spectacular lookouts, and other fun adventures. We usually jump in the pool again after our outing to cool off.
3:30 pm: We return from our expedition for what we call a “rest fest,” where we read, nap, doodle, do more boatwork, write, or do other quiet activities.
5:00 pm: Happy hour! Often we will invite people on other boats or will go to other people’s boats. It sometimes turns into dinner if we have too much food.
6:30 pm: Dinner, always something yummy especially since we now have easy access to markets.
7:45 pm: Every Friday one of the nearby Waikiki resorts launches a fireworks show that we enjoy watching from the cockpit. If it’s not a Friday, we socialize with other boaters or just chill.
9:00 pm: We usually go to bed around this time.
So, there you go! This is what a normal day looks like aboard Dogbark while she is dockside. It’s not your average daily routine, but I have learned that not many things are average when you’re on a boat.
Jeepers, as my Mom would say: it doesn’t sound like such a bad place to spend the winter after all! But expensive, I know—everything in Hawaii is so expensive. It sounds like you have discovered, Talia, some great free fun for your winter retreat!
Good work! Hugs all around to you guys, and ‘see you soon!!
Love, Aunt Crys
What a wonderful kind of day!! Wish I was there! I lived on a boat in Victoria, BC when I was younger, not kid younger but adult younger and fresh memories of dock life are resurfacing after reading this blog. Daily crab boils to have that days Dungeness Crab catch for dinner. Hanging out and hearing stories of boat travels to far away places. What a life right? Make sure you ask fellow sail people about their adventures, they love to tell folks of their travels. My wife and I had brunch at Dukes everyday during our anniversary trip a couple of years ago. Best POG in the world!! Miss you guys around here even though I’m driving a different route this year. Keep up the good work on your blogs!!!
When i’m not traveling myself I love traveling with you! My sister and I are off to Australia/NZ a week from tomorrow. I am sooo excited. Europe is our usual destination so this will be a totally new experience. Hi from my daughter, Susan, to your mom (friends from high school). Happy Travels.
Your life sounds amazing! I know your mom and dad are really proud of you for handling this adjustment so well. And I love hearing about your daily schedule! You might be running marathons by Christmas! For those of us who have never lived on a boat, we have a lot of questions, and your beautifully written blog post helps me understand-in vivid detail-what your life looks like. I would imagine the tropical fruits you get to enjoy are delish! Please go give your mom a big hug! And, you can give one to your dad too. Thanks so much for writing!
I am so excited I got to meet up with you to see this part of your adventure firsthand! Every member of your family continues to be even more bright and kind and generous than ever. Love to every one of you!
That sounds really fun! Also its really cool that you get to see a fireworks show.