With nothing more to worry about than craving succulent roast chicken and gooey ice cream, we sliced through the ocean, enjoying the stuff dreams are made of. The concerns of motoring much of the way temporarily held at bay. Leaving Acapulco, Mexico for Isle de Cocos we were blessed with perfect sailing for four whole days. 

Turning Your Cruising Dreams Into Reality

Costa Rica's Little Gem Isle de Cocos

With a charming mix of mega yachts and masquerading pirates onboard 7-metre sailing ghettos, San Diego is like a melting pot of poverty and prosperity. On the edge of America, with Mexico insight, here lies the stepping-off point for cruisers. San Diego is not a cruising ground as such with its king’s ransom fees and stifling regulations. It is a gateway to the Pacific Ocean. Late in the season, most cruisers are already in Mexico and beyond by now. But a few cruisers lurk, mainly small sailboats with no fixed agenda. Vessels that ‘live’ here are all pristine. 

Visit San Diego: War Ships, War Cries and Wannabes

Chatting to my dad on Skype, he in England me in Ecuador, I told him how we planned to sail to Panama to collect our new sails. “You talk about it as though you are popping off to Supermarket” he laughed. With only 560 nautical miles to traverse, we thought the journey a breeze. But the trip grew to epic proportions, even before we started.Farewells are a continuous part of the cruising life that can pitch and roll the equilibrium that sailing bestows. After seven months anchored in Bahia de Caraquez, Ecuador, we had collected many friends; most we would never see again. But tipping the scales into a whole new level of sadness was the news.....

Visit Las Perlas with us onboard our sailboat

San Francisco is one of the most diverse and exciting cities we have had the pleasure to visit. It has a unique cultural tapestry and is a gay hub in more ways than one. Open water vistas are just waiting for a breath of wind to kick up into a brutal chop. Combined with a myriad of shallows, this recipe can cause even the seasoned sailor some difficulty.

Join us in Diverse San Francisco with (near) Calamities in California

 We are 15 metres underground in a silent, echoing cave.  Only the solemn plop of icy, freshwater can be heard, woven between our awed whispers.  I take two big breaths, the chill of the encompassing sapphire water temporarily forgotten.  Two metres down, with lungs bursting only moments after a big breath, I turn underwater to head through to the next cave.  My thrashing arms and legs fight for propulsion and I feel stuck in a current that does not exist!  Suddenly I see the torchlight from our guide in the next submerged cave and head to the surface, seeking much-needed oxygen.  I am that close to being able to breathe again, I think I can just make it, when a firm hand reaches down and pushes my head back under.  I am coming up too early, my soft head-on course for sharp, jagged rock.  Fighting to withhold my panic I swim further along and the hand releases me, I break back into my world with the sweet smell of air.  In reality, I have been underwater a few seconds and swam a few metres.  “That was pretty easy” I grin. 

A Trip to Niue - A Jewel in the Pacific Ocean

Itching to leave the States, ditch the mobile phone and collect more great sensual experiences we turned our bows toward Mexico. Coasting south we viewed jagged rocks standing tall and proud, lining white sugar beaches that are randomly scattered between the parched earth.

Futile Thoughts, Towing traumas and Exploding Toms

“Kia Orana  - may you live long”, she adds, “enjoy the show and help yourselves”, comes the offer. “Only polite to do what the host asks!” The magic of Aitutaki, find out what I wanted to help myself to!

Angels, Goats, and Eloquence, in Aitutaki

A shroud of mystery envelopes the modus operandi for traversing the Panama Canal. Gossip, rumour, and dare I say, a little tittle-tattle gave the crew of Mariah II some serious forehead creases as we approached the infamous isthmus.

Sailing the World - Panama Canal Experience

The level of tranquility of the San Blas Islands was a surprise. With the warm and fun welcome from locals, pristine beaches respected by the few that visit, the San Blas have a special place in our hearts.

Sailing the World - San Blas

Jackie was convinced I was a raving lunatic in need of sleep and external restraints; preferably off the boat and furthermore at a considerable distance from her very fair self. Imagine my shock, my horror, to find that my dearest thinks my keen judgement and decision making skills were shot. This is why I made the essential cruising peacemaker - the Flopper Stopper

The Essential Cruising Peacemaker

“He’s lost at sea and unwell?” “The information we have,” the clipped, efficient tones state, “he is 55 years old, in a four metre tinnie.  He has diabetes and rang his wife from a mobile at 7.15 am to say he felt ill.  That’s four hours ago, the mobile’s battery has run out, he has no radio equipment on board, he has not returned to shore.”

Precision Performance by Marine Police and Volunteers

‘Turning back’ are two words that as a sailor do not bother me.  But I have come across a startling number of sailors who would not consider this an option.  To me, (and the crew of West Wind), the decision to turn back was the brave decision.  It is a success, not a failure to understand the strength of the oceans and unpredictability of such places as Bass Strait, say nothing of self, crew and boat preservation.

Being a Licenced Captain Carries a Heavy Responsibility

In the 18th century, Cook was sent to Tahiti to study the planet Venus, Bligh has sailed to these striking shores. Robert Louis Stevenson’s father designed the lighthouse that proudly sits on Venus Point, while Mr Stevenson junior wrote the inspiring stories of Treasure Island and Robinson Crusoe.  Parry, well the Parry’s circumnavigated the island in 2005.

Tantalizing Tahiti - A circumnavigation of an Island

We’ve made it across the Atlantic to Barbados, arriving just in time for celebrating New Year’s Eve. Two weeks later, Den (my Dutch friend) and I are still hard at it, every day, in a Bridgetown brothel. There’s not much privacy either, we work at the rear of the establishment, in an open shed, exposed to the derisive laughter and unasked for advise from the local Cajuns. Just what went wrong...? (Caribbean music supplied by: http://www.freesfx.co.uk

A Tender Moment in a House of Ill Repute

Can the cruising lifestyle be civilised. YES. Is the resounding answer from most of our salty buddies. Well, it’s what each of us term as civilised is where the question becomes a little ticklish.

Refined Wayfarers

Practical, entertaining and informative stories. From adventures around the globe on a small boat to practical tips and advice from international commercial and recreational sailors.

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Turning Your Cruising Dreams Into Reality

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