travel stories & updates
A Morning in the Mountains, Thinking About Africa
A quiet morning in the Swiss mountains, enjoying the comforts of life on land while preparing to return to Santana in The Gambia, with boat repairs in Dakar and new sailing adventures ahead.
The Plan for the Next Few Months
A little look ahead at the next few months: enjoying the mountains in Switzerland before returning to The Gambia, getting Santana ready to sail to Dakar, hauling her out for some overdue work — and then figuring out where to go next.
Europe, Mountains, and a Very Old House
A personal update from Europe: rediscovering Berlin, family history in Poland, trail running in the Swiss mountains, renovating a 200-year-old house, and slowly looking forward to returning to Santana in The Gambia.
Leaving Santana for the Rainy Season in The Gambia
Preparing Santana for the rainy season in The Gambia: paperwork, boat preparations, trusted local help, and a brief stopover in Conakry, Guinea.
Departure Planning
A quiet reflection from the African mangroves about departure planning, paperwork, leaving Santana behind for the rainy season, and the nervous logistics of flying to Europe with Janjo.
Quiet Days Before the Rain
A quiet update from the mangroves in The Gambia: Nike heads north, Floh recovers from a long cold, rainy season begins, and Santana waits at Sama Lodge.
DIY Plywood Dinghy Build: Finished and Sea-Tested
We finished our DIY plywood dinghy—partly on a beach. Now it’s our daily ride, repairable anywhere, and surprisingly tough.
Building our Dinghy somewhere in Africa
After our dinghy was stolen in Palmeira, we tried replacing it—then decided to build our own in Mindelo. A scrappy one-week stitch-and-glue Spindrift build in a cramped garage, with cracks, fixes, fiberglass, and a nesting dinghy cut in two.
how beautiful the world is
An injured ankle keeps Floh aboard while Nike hikes Monte Gordo on São Nicolau—an episode about awe, perspective, and remembering how extraordinary this life still is.
Sailing from Sal to Sao Nicolau
Sailing overnight from Sal to São Nicolau turns rough with cross seas and a failing autopilot—then Cape Verde rewards us with Carriçal, a quiet fishing village and green volcanic valleys.
where to make landfall
Most sailors rush to Mindelo to provision and wait for an Atlantic window. We wanted to explore Cabo Verde—but a stolen dinghy changed everything. Palmeira is still worth slowing down for.
Tenerife to Sal: Our Longest Passage So Far
Nike is back aboard and we sail from Tenerife to Sal, Cabo Verde—our longest passage yet. The forecast lied, the seas got rough, and landfall in Palmeira felt like pure relief.
A Day Off in Westafrica
Anchored near Toubakouta in Senegal’s Saloum Delta, we take a day off for a small safari—wildlife, mixed feelings about captive lions, and thoughts I’m still sorting out.
Watermaker Lessons After 1.5 Years on a Sailboat
After 1.5 years running a DIY Octopus Watermaker with a Kärcher pump, we share what worked, what broke, and the key lessons on placement, power, and daily use.
Final Stop Before Summer Break 2025
Our final El Hierro episode before Germany: we explore the island’s rugged south, visit La Restinga and the ancient site of El Julan, and reflect on perspective before heading on.
El Hierro, the End-of-the-Map Island
After weeks of island-hopping, we reach El Hierro—lush cloud forests, volcanic coasts, relentless wind, and the sobering reality of migrant arrivals in La Restinga.
The Edge Of The World
From an “easy” day sail to a gusty arrival: we sail to El Hierro with a summer plan for Santana, scope out La Estaca, and discover why this quiet island still demands respect.
Sailing to Valle Gran Rey
From anchoring in gusty Valle Gran Rey to a dockside concert and a road trip through La Gomera’s wildflower-covered mountains—plus a look at Silbo Gomero, the island’s whistling language.
Sailing The Canary Islands
From Tenerife to La Gomera: a fast, windy crossing through the acceleration zone, then calm anchorages near Playa de Santiago and a hidden bay of cliffs, caves, and quiet magic.
A Surprise In Tenerife
A viewer shout in Tenerife turns into a day trip with Alberto up to Mount Teide. Volcano landscapes, rolling clouds, and the magic of unexpected connection.
last three month
From Cabo Verde’s windy anchorages to Senegal’s quiet mangroves: a fast-moving stretch of cruising, repairs, and the trade-offs of life afloat.
Birthday Trip to Santo Antão: Valleys, Grogue, Chaos
A delayed birthday escape to Santo Antão: Paul Valley, a drone crash, and 10am grogue—Cabo Verde at its best.
End-of-Year Reflection from a Sailboat in Cabo Verde
Anchored off São Nicolau, I look back on betrayal, burnout, and reset—plus where Santana is headed next.
Life Between Islands — When Sailing Is Simple
A calm 40-mile sail from Gran Canaria to Tenerife — flat seas, full sails, and the quiet beauty of simple sailing life in the Canary Islands.
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