Chapter 1: The Toughest Dive of Our Lives
Our unexpected detour to the Galapagos Islands has been a rollercoaster of jaw-dropping sights, backbreaking repairs, and heartwarming connections. Picture this: Dan and I, seasoned divers since our twenties, geared up for a dive at Gordon Rocks with Shark Bay Scuba Shop.
This would be one of the toughest dive of our lives. At 60, we were the old-timers among a boatload of 20- and 30-somethings. The dive boat wedged into a cove where waves crashed against jagged rocks, tossing us like laundry in a washing machine. We rolled backward into a swirling ocean, descending through fierce currents to escape the chaos. The reward? A frigid, murky underwater world teeming with sea life. Check out our dive video on Facebook!
Chapter 2: Battling Boat Repairs
Back on our boat, repairs tested us more than any dive. I hoisted Dan up the mast in a rolling harbor to replace 40 screws on our forestay—screws the installer forgot to secure with Loctite. After 90 exhausting minutes, Dan was successful but sore, bruised, and spent.
Then came the engine saga. Repaired in Panama, it still leaked oil. Our ripped sail and oil-leaking engine forced our Galapagos stop. Dan spent three grueling rounds—24 hours total—crawling into the engine compartment, earning scrapes and bruises. He found a rag left by ther Panama workers clogging a hose. Then after putting everything back together, a new leak developed. With one final seal replacement and some tightening—fingers crossed—the engine is repaired and ready to go.
Chapter 3: The Freezer Fiasco
Our freezer was another nightmare. A local repairman’s three visits left it warmer than our fridge, costing us cash for nothing. Dan stepped in, correcting the tech’s mistakes, and we finally got it just below freezing. Good enough! Add a ripped sail repair and two grinding projects, and you’ve got our Galapagos rollercoaster ride. Yet, amidst the chaos, this place is magic.
Chapter 4: Vikos, Our Galapagos Guardian
Enter Vikos, our guardian angel. This local hero shows up daily with a smile, asking, “What do you need today, my friends?” He brings warm croissants (my weakness), and even took us for chef-prepared ceviche at a boat he’s fixing. He treats us like family. But cash is tight. Repairs and Vikos’ help have drained thousands, paid in the max withdrawal of $400 daily ATM chunks.
Chapter 5: Facing the Unknown
With our Saturday departure to French Polynesia nearing, we still have bills to pay, and we’re staring at empty pockets. The remote islands likely demand cash, and since there are no ATMs on these remote islands, we may need to barter for food. It’s a first for us, but as I hum Bob Marley’s “Don’t Worry About a Thing,” I know every little thing is gonna be alright. We’ll adapt. This is a journey of faith. Seven and a half years of sailing have taught us to survive, think outside the box, and tackle the unimaginable.
Chapter 6: From Challenges to Chapters
This life—raw, unpredictable, and exhilarating—inspires every page I write. The resilience in The Seven and the adventure in Seanna: A Mermaid’s Tale are born from moments like these. Want more stories from our Pacific journey? Sign up for my newsletter at alisongieschen.com and share this post on X or Instagram with #SailingWithAlison for a chance to win a free chapter of Seanna! Tell me in the comments: what’s the toughest challenge you’ve turned into a triumph?
Fair winds,
Alison