Departing New Zealand with our six-month old son, we sailed north to Vanuatu, the Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea and down the east coast of Australia. It was a season that would define all others in experience, adventure, pushing our boundaries and testing our strengths and our independence. The countries visited were some of the best that cruising has to offer. It was intrepid, adventurous and culturally fascinating. It was what owning your own boat and going sailing ought to be — a chance to get away from mainstream destinations and carve out your own unique cruising agenda. It was using our boat to live life off-grid for awhile, and the experience was unmeasurable.