Stranded in Paradise
We have been in the Marquesas Islands since July 25, 2025. While we did get to explore a few islands, our exploration ceased when our engine died in October of 2025. Sadly, we have been anchored on Nuku Hiva since then, with lots of drama surrounding how we get our engine repaired when there are no spare parts for a Yanmar engine built in the 1980s.
We thought we had a solution when Dan found the part in the US before our trip home for the holidays. We ordered it, paid $1,200, and flew home with hope in our hearts. Three weeks after we were home, we got an email that the company does not, in fact, have that part. We were told they would refund our money. Weeks went by with no refund. We finally had to contact our bank to get our money back.
The hunt for the part began, but alas, after a worldwide search, we were told there was no fuel injection pump for our engine in existence for sale. We returned to our boat and did what Dan would have done had we known we couldn’t get the part anywhere. We ripped the old one out and shipped it to Tahiti to try to get it repaired. This process will take months, and we can only pray it works once it gets shipped back.
When You’re Stuck… Make It a Vacation
Enough of the sad stories. We are trapped here, in paradise. We have flown to Tahiti to meet cousins and had a week’s vacation on the neighboring island of Moorea. It was heaven and a bit of fun and adventure we desperately needed.
We have been undertaking boat projects, and I have been doing three main things: sewing, writing, and my new obsession, being a guest speaker on podcasts. These are great hobbies to do on my boat.
Island Living at Its Finest
Interspersed into our daily boat routine, we take treks across the island, foraging walks where we can gather coconuts, mangoes, avocados, papaya, star fruit, and even spicy hot red wild peppers on this island of abundance. I have integrated these items into new dishes and fun creations.
Of course, we always have a huge bunch of bananas hanging on our stern, so banana smoothies, breads, pancakes, and yummy desserts are a regular on Equus.
Writing from the Anchorage
I feel like my efforts to get my story out to the world are finally beginning to pay off. I am getting more regular sales on my books, and my social media audience is finally growing. That is what you need in this day and age to market your writing. Lord knows I need all the help I can get living on a boat in a harbor on a remote island in the French Polynesian Islands.
There was also another huge slice of writing happiness delivered boatside as my latest children’s book, SEANNA, won the Golden Wizard Children’s Book Award. I was over the moon with happiness that the golden seal could now be on the front of my book.
I remember my teaching days when I sat with my third graders all around me, picking a book to read aloud, and I would see a book with an award seal. I dreamt that someday I would have my own children’s book with an award-winning seal on the cover. That day has finally come true.
Silver Medal News
Then, the icing on the cake. In 2025, I submitted my realistic fiction novel, THE SEVEN, to the Readers’ Views Book Awards program. I know hundreds of books are submitted, but I gave it a shot. Just yesterday, I got an email: CONGRATULATIONS! You have won a Silver Medal for your book, THE SEVEN, in the Christian Fiction division.
I now have two books with major awards, and I couldn’t be happier. It gives me the will to keep writing, as I have so much still to write about.
What’s Next on the Writing Horizon
I will be beginning the third book in my Riding the Waves series. Our first book, Riding The Waves of Reality: Tales of Turmoil and Triumph, has been surging since I began doing my podcasts. I guess after people hear some of our stories, they want to know more and buy the book.
SEANNA has a teacher’s manual to go with it, and my daughter Katie in California introduced the book to her homeschool organization, and they will be using it in their curriculum. MARLIN, the sequel, is all written and just needs the illustrations, and will be my next book launch.
Lots of exciting things are happening on my writing front. If I could just get some action on the boat engine, life would be perfect.
Anchored but Not Adrift
Until then, I hope you are vicariously enjoying the pictures and stories as we wait for our engine to be working again in this little slice of paradise. I will keep writing, sewing, and podcasting, dreaming for the day we will be able to pull up anchor and resume our ocean adventures.
Thanks for following. Your support means the world. I am making a link on my page so if you are interested, you can give some of my podcasts a listen.
By the way: I have also taken up writing song lyrics, just for fun. Check out the Equus theme song: Still Alive, Still in Love, Still Afloat!
Fair Winds,
Alison
The Nautical Novelist
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