Day 8: Not Connected

13* 01.3' North
123* 26.7' West

Though it may seem like it, we are not connected to the web. I know it's hard to believe that in this day and age there is actually a spot on Earth where you can actually not be connected to the internet, but I am here to tell you we are there. There is no magical wi-fi tower sticking up out of the ocean, there is no high speed internet coming over a cable that we are towing behind the boat. So maybe the following explanations will help all of our connected friends and family out there reading this blog post.
We are able to connect for short periods of time through our single side band radio and its modem to an internet interface that allows us to send and receive email. The single side band uses alot of power and so it only gets turned on when we are talking to other boats or sending email (only a couple of times per day). That's how you are able to read this blog post. I have my blog set up to receive entries through a special email address that automatically formats and posts my entries for me. You have probably noticed a lack of pictures lately. The reason for that is we need to use our satellite phone to send pictures to my brother in Seattle so that he can manually post them for me. We just haven't gotten to it yet, but stay tuned.
If you are lucky enough to be on our SPOT list, that is a whole other piece of technology. SPOT is a product that is essentially a transceiver that when we turn it on and push a button, it connects with a satellite that takes our GPS position and transmits it to server somewhere that sends out an automatic message to our pre-determined list of emails. We have been able to enlarge the limited with the help of a few connected who forward our position on to more friends and family. The company that provides this service does not guarantee that it will work in parts of the Pacific. Feel free to contact them through their http://www.findmespot.com/ website to let them know that it would really be cool to has this area improved.
Anyone can track us on our YOTREPS link on the left hand side of the blog. YOTREPS is part of a project out of New Zealand that is compiling weather information. In exchange for data that we send them, they put us in the tracking program. Pretty cool and it's FREEEE!
For those of you used to having your computer running 24/7 and having instant fast access to the internet, this may all seem pretty complicated. The bottom line is: it is. The whole point of cruising is to slow down and live simply, so if we miss a blog entry or don't get right back to you on email, please don't worry. And rest assured, we will really appreciate our connectivity when we return!

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