'We pinch ourselves every time we make it to another country'

Rob and Rachel Hamill, both former elite athletes, and their three grown-up sons; Finn, Declan and Ivan departed New Zealand in 2018.

Finn has since left the crew to follow in the footsteps of his father as an elite rower. Rob is an Olympian and a trans-Atlantic rowing champion.

The trip has gone through Pacific Islands, Australia, Southeast Asia - including a chance for Rob to return to Phnom Penh in Cambodia where his brother Kerry was held captive, tortured and killed.

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They've continued through to India, then Africa and up through the Atlantic to the east coast of Brazil.

Back in 2018 the journey started uneventfully, Rob says.

“We sailed through the south part of South Pacific, Fiji, Nouméa, and then we arrived in Australia with a view to stay there for about six months.

“That was November 19, and then a month later, we got hit by lightning, and that slowed us up a bit. The boat was up out of the water, getting repairs done. And then, of course, January, February 2020 - we know what happened.”

They managed to get back on the water before Covid lockdowns spread around the world, he says.

“We actually spent the next three years without any, I mean we were so lucky, we had no handbrakes put on us at all.

“And I mean that literally, no compromise during that time.”

Sailing around Australia has been a highlight among many in the voyage so far, he says.

“We sailed up the east coast of Australia, and then back down to Sydney, and then under the bottom of Australia, across the bight, the Great Australian Bight to Western Australia and then spent another year and a half out of the west coast of Australia, I have to say, possibly the most amazing period of our sailing thus far.”

They grudgingly left Australia to sail into Asia, however everywhere they arrive, they want to linger, he says.

“We didn't want to leave to leave Asia, and now we're in Brazil, and I'm not sure we want to leave Brazil or South America.”

Throughout their journey they’ve been welcomed with open arms, they say.

“People embrace you with such warmth and love, dare I say, it's, been the most incredible journey,” Rob says.

Brazil, where they are currently moored, has been a revelation, Rachel says.

“We're out at a little island just off Salvador, and we went for a walk into the town, and literally got invited into someone's house.

“They didn't know we were on a boat, but they just invited us into the house. They were feeding us, they were they wanted us to party with them and drink some stuff with them, we didn't share a language, it's just beautiful.”

The three boys have thrived on the voyage, who they say, are “generous, happy and kind kids.”

And also, vital crew members Rachel says, taking on the bulk of night watch duties.

“That's a huge deal, because they are looking after us while we sleep. They're the only person up, it's life and death.”

So where are the intrepid Hamil’s heading next? The family tendency to “stop and smell the flowers” could be a factor, Rachel says.

“I'd hate to say we're going to go straight to the Panama Canal and on to the Pacific, because we probably would change our minds and go up the East Coast of America, possibly up to Canada. I don't know. It's too early to tell.

“But ultimately, we do want to do a circumnavigation. So, at some point we will go through the Panama Canal, across the Pacific and back to New Zealand.”

There's much more to see, she says.

“It's just all so amazing, honestly, we pinch ourselves every time make it to another country.

“I'd never sailed before, so I find it, amazing that here I am crossing oceans.”

The Hamills have documented their journey on their channel - The Cruising Kiwis.