The archive · 2009–2015

The Big Voyage

For six years I sailed SV Bobbie, a 36-foot ketch, alone around the world. This is the logbook I kept along the way on Bobbie Rounds the World: photos, links, radio pieces and the odd dispatch, just as I posted them at the time.

Where I am now That was a long time ago. These days I live aboard El Dorado in France. Follow the voyage as it happens in my free dispatches on Substack. Read the dispatches →

2015

2014

AudioHearts And Minds

Oct 2014

"DEEP BLUES" this weekend on ABC / 360 DOCUMENTARIES

Sep 2014

"DEEP BLUES" this weekend on ABC / 360 DOCUMENTARIES

I’m on South Korean TV, I guess!

Aug 2014

AudioEmily Richmond Takes 5 with her soundtrack to the sea... | Take 5 with Zan | triple j

Aug 2014

looking very local” at casa de brighter later

Aug 2014

looking very local” at casa de brighter later

Hey Aussie folks, For those of you in Melbourne, I’ve got a couple…

Aug 2014

Hey Aussie folks, For those of you in Melbourne, I’ve got a couple…

overdressed much?

Aug 2014

overdressed much?

dear lovers

Aug 2014

Audio"Solo Around the World"

Jul 2014

I wrote another piece for VICE about my attempt at fasting for…

Jul 2014

I wrote another piece for VICE about my attempt at fasting for…

made this little tour-of-home video for my bro cass. but y'all can…

Jun 2014

VICE published a piece about my time living with the Baining tribe in…

Jun 2014

VICE published a piece about my time living with the Baining tribe in…

I’ve gone back to the jungle. Right after I took this, I walked…

Jun 2014

I’ve gone back to the jungle. Right after I took this, I walked…

VideoI Ran Out of Food After 28 Days At Sea | MUNCHIES

May 2014

Had to go give this boy a kiss on the cheek before his big day…

May 2014

Had to go give this boy a kiss on the cheek before his big day…

Adi from WWF explaining that the local oil palm plantation will pay…

Apr 2014

Adi from WWF explaining that the local oil palm plantation will pay…

Important phone conference today w some potential crew.

Apr 2014

Important phone conference today w some potential crew.

Sailing Around the World And Getting By Without Cash

Apr 2014

Meet The Handsome Family - our boat crew are very good looking.

Apr 2014

Re:birth

Apr 2014

Here’s this chill thing Cass wrote about our adventures over land.…

Apr 2014

Here’s this chill thing Cass wrote about our adventures over land.…

Videopost mind-blowing orangutan chill sesh at Camp Leakey. (Tanjug Puting…

Mar 2014

VideoWaiting for orangutan feedings in Kumai, Kalimantan.

Mar 2014

On the ground in Balikpapan. We were digging the tunes, digging the…

Feb 2014

On the ground in Balikpapan. We were digging the tunes, digging the…

We changed our names, and cant stop taking videos of ourselves….

Feb 2014

So, they let us pilot the passenger boat to Indonesia….

Feb 2014

VideoOn a curb in Tawau. F/t my girl Cassie.

Feb 2014

Got our visas in Tawau, decked out in semi-religous garb. “You don’t…

Feb 2014

Got our visas in Tawau, decked out in semi-religous garb. “You don’t…

Sea-gypsey village: Kampung Bangau Bangau. As stateless persons,…

Feb 2014

Sea-gypsey village: Kampung Bangau Bangau. As stateless persons,…

You have no idea how much rad stuff is going down right nows. For…

Feb 2014

You have no idea how much rad stuff is going down right nows. For…

Teaching Cass how to cream coconuts - essential sea-going life…Video

Feb 2014

Teaching Cass how to cream coconuts - essential sea-going life…

Former Fashion Designer Moves to Remote Tropical Island, Works Full-time Rebuilding Coral Reefs

Feb 2014

Pulling up anchor at Pulau Gaya. Muddied and exhausted, but Cassie…

Feb 2014

Pulling up anchor at Pulau Gaya. Muddied and exhausted, but Cassie…

An American woman is on a multi-year journey to sail around the world

Feb 2014

Cadging baths anywhere we can…today the boys on the ship next over…

Feb 2014

Cadging baths anywhere we can…today the boys on the ship next over…

After this I made her scrub the decks and wash the holds. Just…

Feb 2014

After this I made her scrub the decks and wash the holds. Just…

winesburgohio: The surreal city of Semporna. Docked here ‘til Friday.…

Feb 2014

winesburgohio: The surreal city of Semporna. Docked here ‘til Friday.…

Day-trippin’ to a tiny city in the middle of the sea. Cassie M. is…

Feb 2014

Day-trippin’ to a tiny city in the middle of the sea. Cassie M. is…

for those of you that think sailing is all smooth seas and sunny…

Jan 2014

for those of you that think sailing is all smooth seas and sunny…

2013

Video, December 9, 2013

Dec 2013

Adopted by this family approximately 4.5 seconds after my arrival.…

Dec 2013

Adopted by this family approximately 4.5 seconds after my arrival.…

EN ROUTE TO MALAYSIA!

Sep 2013

Kids committed to non-violence in East Timor

Sep 2013

AudioAnimal Tracks

Aug 2013

Photo, August 30, 2013

Aug 2013

Photo, August 30, 2013

I’ve grown up in the Himalayas — there’s no cash economy there.…

Aug 2013

I’ve grown up in the Himalayas — there’s no cash economy there.…

found this little gang having some afternoon snacks together

Aug 2013

found this little gang having some afternoon snacks together

taking the ceremonious things to the ceremony…

Aug 2013

taking the ceremonious things to the ceremony…

dudes dress like this all the time. crazy!

Aug 2013

dudes dress like this all the time. crazy!

Then this little guy’s gonna come round n snack on all the gods…

Aug 2013

Then this little guy’s gonna come round n snack on all the gods…

And they gave unto the gods.

Aug 2013

And they gave unto the gods.

Farah bein’ a goon

Aug 2013

Farah bein’ a goon

a morning ritual i can get into

Aug 2013

a morning ritual i can get into

watching some genius local farmers process/wash their own harvests,…

Aug 2013

watching some genius local farmers process/wash their own harvests,…

working on a new radio piece about the lack of fariness in Timor’s…

Aug 2013

working on a new radio piece about the lack of fariness in Timor’s…

AudioI've Been Hurt

Aug 2013

Photo, August 4, 2013

Aug 2013

Photo, August 4, 2013

Photo, August 4, 2013

Aug 2013

Photo, August 4, 2013

he says she’s his mum.

Aug 2013

he says she’s his mum.

i don’t know if this kid was actually wearing shoulder pads or not,…

Aug 2013

i don’t know if this kid was actually wearing shoulder pads or not,…

oh, have you met my bestie yet?

Aug 2013

oh, have you met my bestie yet?

wake up, sleepyhead

Aug 2013

wake up, sleepyhead

Just got back from amazing trek out to the mountains of Maubisse. Met…

Aug 2013

Just got back from amazing trek out to the mountains of Maubisse. Met…

I believe Gandhi is the only person who knew about real…

Aug 2013

AudioGOODBYES AND GOOD NIGHTS

Jul 2013

so adorable!

Jul 2013

so adorable!

my bestie made me lunch. homemade soup, sweet potatoes, and salad!

Jul 2013

my bestie made me lunch. homemade soup, sweet potatoes, and salad!

East Timor's Mobile Mums

Jul 2013

I have not tired of the wilderness; rather I enjoy its…

Jul 2013

more of this, all of the time, everywhere!

Jul 2013

more of this, all of the time, everywhere!

blairports: Throwing back to when Em and I marched against Prop H8,…

Jun 2013

blairports: Throwing back to when Em and I marched against Prop H8,…

Dreaming of those PNG days…. - This is my uncle Phillip in a snap…

Jun 2013

Dreaming of those PNG days…. - This is my uncle Phillip in a snap…

Even with DeathFever2013, tis hard to complain…. / Resting up at…

Jun 2013

Even with DeathFever2013, tis hard to complain…. / Resting up at…

GET WELL

Jun 2013

At sea, I learned how little a person needs, not how much.

Jun 2013

natgeofound: A close view of the puffer fish found in Florida’s warm…

Jun 2013

natgeofound: A close view of the puffer fish found in Florida’s warm…

goats n boats

Jun 2013

goats n boats

fish on a stick

Jun 2013

fish on a stick

the open road…

Jun 2013

the open road…

AudioKodachrome

Jun 2013

Kilimanjaro is a snow-covered mountain 19,710 feet high,…

Jun 2013

Photo, June 1, 2013

Jun 2013

Photo, June 1, 2013

like a wazzzzzappp

Jun 2013

like a wazzzzzappp

A CASE FOR GETTING VERY VERY FAR AWAY

Jun 2013

AudioWalking on a Wire

May 2013

BBQ this, baby

May 2013

BBQ this, baby

Photo, May 27, 2013

May 2013

Photo, May 27, 2013

Photo, May 27, 2013

May 2013

Photo, May 27, 2013

Photo, May 27, 2013

May 2013

Photo, May 27, 2013

took a little jaunt down to the south coast….

May 2013

took a little jaunt down to the south coast….

heading out to see the wilds of this great country. see you all in…

May 2013

heading out to see the wilds of this great country. see you all in…

Photo, May 21, 2013

May 2013

Photo, May 21, 2013

whale shark, oh whale shark. how i love thee so….

May 2013

whale shark, oh whale shark. how i love thee so….

everywhere you go, there you are

May 2013

everywhere you go, there you are

scenes from bro zone aboard the good ship bobbie

May 2013

scenes from bro zone aboard the good ship bobbie

AudioHome Is Where the Heart Is

May 2013

nice new parks happening in this tiny, turbulent nation

May 2013

nice new parks happening in this tiny, turbulent nation

another wacko video from a wacko life. here: an opportunity to peep…

May 2013

world, meet Tino. my new budddddddy!

May 2013

world, meet Tino. my new budddddddy!

learning to speak Tetum

May 2013

learning to speak Tetum

pre-sleep ritual

May 2013

pre-sleep ritual

Photo, May 13, 2013

May 2013

Photo, May 13, 2013

daily grind.

May 2013

ictidomys: Isothermal chart, or, View of climates & productions. By…

May 2013

ictidomys: Isothermal chart, or, View of climates & productions. By…

newsweek: Brazilian marine geologists believe they may have found…

May 2013

newsweek: Brazilian marine geologists believe they may have found…

havin’ one of these mornings now. life is good.

May 2013

havin’ one of these mornings now. life is good.

A life lived with a bounty of coconuts is indeed the good life.…

May 2013

commovente: “Women who encountered Joan Didion when they were young…

May 2013

commovente: “Women who encountered Joan Didion when they were young…

welcome to timor leste

May 2013

welcome to timor leste

Photo, May 4, 2013

May 2013

Photo, May 4, 2013

xanana gusmao’s release from prison. gonna go out on a limb here and…

May 2013

xanana gusmao’s release from prison. gonna go out on a limb here and…

Photo, May 4, 2013

May 2013

Photo, May 4, 2013

just a little family dinner with friends and little ones

Feb 2013

hello new life of pizza and other baked niceties all the time! just…

Feb 2013

hello new life of pizza and other baked niceties all the time! just…

One of my favorite things in the world right now. Several new ones…

Feb 2013

One of my favorite things in the world right now. Several new ones…

2012

Doctor Lolo prescribes a cannonball.

Oct 2012

Doctor Lolo prescribes a cannonball.

Forget Apathy...

Oct 2012

Forget Apathy...

in flight!

Oct 2012

in flight!

Going up.

Oct 2012

Going up.

i can feel it all

Sep 2012

Photo, September 22, 2012

Sep 2012

Photo, September 22, 2012

so we fell asleep on the beach…

Sep 2012

so we fell asleep on the beach…

AudioSilver Stallion

Sep 2012

cure for the common breakfast

Sep 2012

cure for the common breakfast

Q+A w/ WindTraveler

Aug 2012

Outside the haus boi (men’s house). No woman had ever been allowed in…

Aug 2012

Outside the haus boi (men’s house). No woman had ever been allowed in…

Come, my friends. Tis not too late to seek a newer world.

Aug 2012

route planning from new guinea to darwin, australia.

Aug 2012

route planning from new guinea to darwin, australia.

Hey Emily! Found your blog by accident this last winter. You’re…

Aug 2012

AudioMR BOX 22 on ABC/Radio National

Aug 2012

TWO MEANS FOUR

Aug 2012

You talk, Baby.

Aug 2012

AudioKIVUNG DREAM SONG

Aug 2012

Ships that pass in the night, and speak each other in…

Jul 2012

kitty’s a climber.

Jul 2012

kitty’s a climber.

epic dudes.

Jul 2012

epic dudes.

big brother getting ready for flying fox huntin’ in the cave

Jul 2012

big brother getting ready for flying fox huntin’ in the cave

Photo, July 12, 2012

Jul 2012

Photo, July 12, 2012

stone cold chillin’ with the Kivung spiritual leader

Jul 2012

stone cold chillin’ with the Kivung spiritual leader

bush dress

Jul 2012

bush dress

the welcome ceremony at kivung HQ

Jul 2012

the welcome ceremony at kivung HQ

AudioBaby's Arms

Jun 2012

happy father’s day to the best one out there! and big ups for never…

Jun 2012

happy father’s day to the best one out there! and big ups for never…

morning gift of kaukau, aka sweet potatoes.

Jun 2012

morning gift of kaukau, aka sweet potatoes.

VideoTWO YEARS AT SEA Trailer / Ben Rivers.

Jun 2012

seafolk: most beautiful life in the world, methinks

Jun 2012

seafolk: most beautiful life in the world, methinks

Mama's Up the Tree OR A Massively Overdue Update From the Last Great Frontier

Jun 2012

probably the only person in the history of vegetarianism to have…

May 2012

probably the only person in the history of vegetarianism to have…

Photo, May 16, 2012

May 2012

Photo, May 16, 2012

My sweet little stoic new brother, Ramsey.

May 2012

My sweet little stoic new brother, Ramsey.

Photo, May 2, 2012

May 2012

Photo, May 2, 2012

The cure for anything is salt water - tears, sweat, or the…

Apr 2012

one year older, the head wiser, the heart softer. and still we know…

Apr 2012

one year older, the head wiser, the heart softer. and still we know…

you’ve got to let it come to you”

Apr 2012

you’ve got to let it come to you”

Yo, teach!

Mar 2012

hey dudes - got some extra tanks from the kickstarter run as well as…

Mar 2012

hey dudes - got some extra tanks from the kickstarter run as well as…

brain underwater

Mar 2012

brain underwater

you learn something new everyday…

Mar 2012

you learn something new everyday…

seafolk: adventure-babes of the 50’s really had it goin’ on…

Mar 2012

seafolk: adventure-babes of the 50’s really had it goin’ on…

don’t hurt or be hurt and don’t live in a way that makes…

Mar 2012

AudioWhy Don't They Let Us Fall In Love

Mar 2012

from: a modest portrait session commemorating 10 years of best…

Mar 2012

from: a modest portrait session commemorating 10 years of best…

a spritz of water and a handful of sand to the face = “the weekend…

Mar 2012

a spritz of water and a handful of sand to the face = “the weekend…

have i mentioned it’s really beautiful here?

Mar 2012

have i mentioned it’s really beautiful here?

go ahead and treat yourself.

Mar 2012

go ahead and treat yourself.

the little scraps of paper that make us who we are…

Mar 2012

the little scraps of paper that make us who we are…

AudioThe Middle Of The Road

Mar 2012

no fear, no envy, no meanness

Mar 2012

playing SGT. PEPPER’S (and explaining LSD trips) for kids who’ve…

Mar 2012

playing SGT. PEPPER’S (and explaining LSD trips) for kids who’ve…

Photo, March 7, 2012

Mar 2012

Photo, March 7, 2012

Photo, March 6, 2012

Mar 2012

Photo, March 6, 2012

a liglig mangi named Mason.

Mar 2012

a liglig mangi named Mason.

seafolk: a nice veg brekkie before the jaunt to mathu’s village.

Mar 2012

seafolk: a nice veg brekkie before the jaunt to mathu’s village.

AudioGoing Back Song

Mar 2012

Videohello friends! just a brief note for those of you in NYC or with…

Mar 2012

Photo, March 1, 2012

Mar 2012

Photo, March 1, 2012

AudioPhantom Limb

Feb 2012

gettin’ purty by the seaside

Feb 2012

gettin’ purty by the seaside

Fairfax was among the last avatars of a centuries-old…

Feb 2012

Yes, please / I’ve got a lot of letters to write …

Feb 2012

Yes, please / I’ve got a lot of letters to write …

Super thrilled to be a part of Wayfare Magazine’s pilot issue! Head…

Feb 2012

Super thrilled to be a part of Wayfare Magazine’s pilot issue! Head…

A New Home!

Feb 2012

A New Home!

on my way to matupit island, crossing the desert below mother…

Feb 2012

on my way to matupit island, crossing the desert below mother…

le intruder.

Feb 2012

le intruder.

AudioDet Haster!

Feb 2012

John, a leader of the Meakambut, is wearing a blue Lakers…

Feb 2012

it’s still the simple things, man…

Feb 2012

it’s still the simple things, man…

Black Ash Desert

Feb 2012

DID YOU MISS ME??

Feb 2012

behold, a world without wind.

Feb 2012

Videojanuary 6, 2012.

Jan 2012

2011

2010

2009