Back On The Big Blue Lagoon

New Caledonia, South Pacific, December 2021

After two months of strict lockdown and an additional month on drydock at the boatyard, it certainly feels good to finally be free to set sail and head back to the big, blue lagoon, where trade winds are frequent and quiet mornings are precious. 

So lovely to be back among marine life again!  💦💙💦

Drydock & Maintainance

Numbo, New Caledonia, South Pacific, End of November 2021

The beauty in grey is up on the dry for annual maintenance. Almost a year has past since we first put our new home in the water.

As it is our first year with this aluminum lady, we like to be cautious and make a good inspection of the haul in case of any electrolysis, which we prefer to find, as well as the source, in an early stage.

The haul, keel pit and center board thereafter get another layer of zink, we clean the diesel tank and make service on the engine. 

One month on the dry and we are ready to get back in the water, good timing as the lockdown, which started after New Caledonia’s covid outbreak in the beginning of September, finally is starting to find an end and nautical navigation just got allowed a week ago. 

Almost 3 months since we last could spend time on the lagoon, which now makes us more than eager to finally get salt in the beard again! ;-)

Relaxing Ocean Videos

To me the most relaxing place to be is out in nature, hike mountains, explore forests, observe wildlife, and to be on- and beneath the ocean.

I believe that nature is of great importance to all of us, but also that it is common that circumstances not always allow people to spend the time wished for and needed in the wild.

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Film and pictures of nature and wildlife don’t replace being out there, but can offer a small “nature-reminder” and a break from the daily schedule when many might not have the access to be outdoors.

The following two ocean videos are made for you to relax, good for a meditative break, to use while practicing yoga or to enjoy before bed.

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Let us first bring you to the stunning world of dolphins and whales with 20 minutes of footage from Norway, Azores, Red Sea, Mediterranean and the vast, blue Atlantic, where we meet cetaceans such as sperm whales, humpbacks, orcas, pilot whales and other oceanic dolphins.

In the second video we bring you to the fascinating world of corals, from warm, tropical waters to the much darker and colder, yet amazingly beautiful, depths of Scandinavia. Another 20 minutes to appreciate the truly amazing world there is hidden beneath the surface!

Mast & Sails Back In Place

Baie de Prony, New Caledonia, South Pacific, September 2021

After many weeks spent in the boat yard for maintenance work of mainly mast and rigging, we finally have mast and sails back in place.

The timing is good as the weather shows up with a couple of days of perfect conditions for a test sail. So good to finally have both sails up!

We have freshly been stocking the boat up with food and water when the blue lagoon welcomes us back to its magical world. 

This is just in time before another lockdown is about to happen...

The news has it that the virus has entered New Caledonia´s covid-free bubble. With one night's notice, the entire territory is put under strict lockdown. As this means no islet visits nor lagoon navigation are allowed, we instead head to the sheltered area of Baie de Prony, at the southern tip of New Caledonia. 

Surrounded by the luscious vegetation and chanting birds, we are thankful that the timing allowed us to get back to nature, where we now can spend a more relaxed time during the many weeks of isolation.

The Amazing Cephalopods

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They can change their colours and patterns in milliseconds, have three hearts and their blod turns blue when exposed to air. No wonders these intelligent and highly mobile creatures  have long haunted the human imagination, inspiring mythology dating back to ancient Greek culture!

We find them world over and they keep continue to captivate the human mind and imagination, they are the Cephalopods.

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The Greek word “cephalopod” translates to “head-foot” and is any member of the molluscan class Cephalopoda, including (see pics below) squid (pic 1), cuttlefish (pic 2), octopus (pic 3) and nautilus.

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It is always a highlight when encountering a Cephalopod during a dive. The following video is from one of our dives in Gullmarsfjorden, at the west coast of Sweden, where late summer´s nights offer the possibility to encounter the cute Common bobtail, an approx 3cm small cuttlefish.

Videos below by my father Armin Mueck 🦑🦑🦑

In most places we go, we normally find octopuses, each with their own personality. Some are more shy while others are very curious and courageous. Next video is from one of our shore dives in the Azores.

Here in New Caledonia, where I currently am, we often see squids and sometimes cuttlefishes at the reef. This is also a place where one might be fortunate to encounter nautiluses while diving. Who knows, maybe I will be lucky to meet one of those living fossils. Time will tell! :-)

Love Making Wolf Fish

Love making fish?

In most fish species, fertilisation takes place outside the female’s body, with the male and female release their roe and milt into the water. 

There are however some species that do internal fertilization, the wolffish, also known as the seawolf or catfish, is one of them.

The following sequence, filmed by my father Armin Mueck and narrated by my sister Nanna, shows unique footage of Atlantic wolf fish literally making love. 

This sequence was shot for the movie “Fish don’t cry” (teaser below).

For trailers and more underwater footage of various kind, visit our YouTube channel: Crystal Water Film Production

Mast Down

Nouville, New Caledonia, End of July 2021

After months of waiting to get an appointment and space, it finally happened. The mast is down for inspection and maintenance!

While we will now spend a few weeks working on essential jobs on both mast and boat, we will also take the opportunity to enjoy the extra free space we now have got when the mast is off! 

Feels kind of nice with no rigging or ropes in the way ;-)