As you might have guessed, I didn’t stay in Elba for long. The weather was cold, rainy, and choppy, making it hard to enjoy my time there. My original plan was to sail to Sardinia to meet up with friends and help them with their boat. While checking a few things on Santana, I took the opportunity to inspect the rigging and, to my dismay, discovered that the wooden knees supporting my chainplates were partially rotten. I’ll share more details about that in my next article.
Unexpected Setbacks After Hard Work
After putting so much effort into Santana this year, finding the rigging issue was a real blow. I had been looking forward to starting my westward journey, welcoming Nike aboard, and getting Santana into prime sea shape. But if I was honest with myself, I wasn’t too keen on sailing alone. Over the past two weeks, I had grown to enjoy Nike’s company so much that I craved more of it.
The Comfort of Solo Sailing – And The Pull of Connection
By now, I was confident in maneuvering Santana by myself and appreciated the freedom of solo sailing. While I enjoy company for a while, I typically relish my alone time afterward. Though I get along with many people, I rarely feel completely understood. Mexico had been different—I felt like I had met my soulmate. Nike and I talked endlessly, and despite the cramped space of the boat, we gave each other the room to breathe. Whether I wanted to work, write, read, meditate, or chat on the phone, I found Nike’s presence comforting, and I wanted more of it.
An Invitation I Couldn’t Refuse
After some honest conversations and sensing my frustration over Santana’s rigging, Nike invited me back to Mexico. She shared similar feelings—she didn’t want to sail alone either—and offered to return to Elba later in the summer to help with repairs.
Back to Mexico, Like I Never Left
So, once again, I found myself heading back to Mexico, as if I had never left. The video below was recorded just after I landed in Acapulco, a mere two weeks after leaving Huatulco. It feels like I’ve never been away.
So far for now… Hugs and love, Floh