Books with author Sara Dawn

“People have told us how lucky we are, to get to sail far away. My typical response is to say luck has little to do with it, that we’ve worked so very hard, made many difficult decisions, and given up so much for so many years to get to this place on the Earth. But on nights like this, under a sky full of stars and our spinnaker full of warm trade wind pulling us deeper into the South Pacific Ocean, I see how very lucky we truly are to be here together.”In 2011, the Johnson family of four left their comfortable home in the Pacific Northwest, trading it in for a life of unpredictability, adventure, and joy aboard their 38-foot sailboat, Wondertime. With their two young daughters, Sara and Michael sailed north to Canada, south to Mexico, then west across the Pacific, eventually landing in New Zealand. All along the way, Sara kept an online journal of their travels and trials, her stories followed by hundreds of friends and family members.Now, the best of her stories, essays, and voyage logs are collected in this freshly-edited volume for all to enjoy. Much more than a typical travel log, this is the story of a family’s journey into uncertainty, and coming out on the other side knowing that the only thing that’s truly certain is the importance of treasuring time with the ones you love.

Have you always wanted to move to New Zealand?The land of Lord of the Rings, sheep, mountains, lakes, milk and honey. New Zealand has friendly people, excellent education, and universal healthcare. It’s also a land of immigrants: people from all over the world migrate to make their home in New Zealand. Perhaps you are dreaming of making this delightful little country at the end of the South Pacific ocean your new home, too.But the process can be daunting. Have you looked at all the visa options, gotten overwhelmed and wondered if you should give up your dream? Don’t. There’s a simple path to residing in New Zealand and this book will show you the way.The author, her husband, and their two daughters moved to New Zealand in 2012 by sailing their home—a 38-foot sailboat—across the Pacific ocean. They carried their dream of New Zealand residency aboard their small ship. Once they arrived, they successfully navigated the work and residency visa process and are now permanent residents of New Zealand. She tells you exactly how they did it.In addition to describing the visa process, this book also presents the realities of settling in New Zealand. You’ll learn how to: •find a job•choose a town to live•settle in when you arrive•get your kid(s) enrolled in school•rent a home•talk like a Kiwi•enjoy New Zealand like a localIf you’re thinking about moving to New Zealand, read this book first. And then go.