The Journey Continues

Unfortunately – some time mid-July I experienced a major disk disaster on the virtual computer that runs my mail-server and a lot of Gaylyn’s and my web services. It destroyed a lot of data and as luck would have it both Gaylyn’s and my wordpress blogs were lost. This kind of thing has not happened…

After a year in the Caribbean, the decision was made to head for the Pacific, but as they passed the Central American Coast, Thomas woefully claimed that they should have spent more time exploring there. Too late. The plan had been made and would have recreated quite a bit of juggling to replan weather and…

Just upon leaving Colombia, Gaylyn developed a very high fever and ended up fasting. They had no choice about leaving because their allocated days were up. That left Thomas to do most of the sailing and Gaylyn just did one night watch each night. The seas around the entrance to Santa Marta had a reputation…

Above and Below Sea Level After their return to Qi, the crew set off to Bonaire for some intense diving. Unfortunately, Thomas had had some problems with some dental work after the flight and decided that he would only do free diving. So, he enlisted in a course where the young lady at the office…

An appointment with friends, Sebastian and his wife, Kati, in Martinique meant that Qi needed to make her way back south. Seeing familiar faces was an exciting prospect. It was a wonderful visit and one that would be treasured forever. Then Qi needed to move below the hurricane belt for a safe summer season. Taking…

Heading north towards the Leeward Isles of the Caribbean, took them to Iles des Saintes, Antigua, Guadeloupe, Monserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Martin and the British Virgin Islands. The American Coast Guard was on the VHF threatening anyone who came into their waters in the American Virgin Islands without a B1 or a B2…

The Caribbean – The Windward Isles The Windward Islands were the first that Thomas and Gaylyn explored. Martinique was a treat and after paying 5 euro at a local café and checking in online, they had officially arrived. This tropical island was very Europeanised including the social structure and supermarkets. It was a great introduction…

The weather wasn’t so cooperative for the eight-day passage to the Canary Islands from Gibraltar. It was a rough crossing and had our crew quite queasy.  On route, Hagi caught a Benito tuna and it took quite an effort for him to give it a ‘good death’ as he liked to put it. The back…

Preparing a yacht for ocean crossings, which can take up to a month in a boat like Qi, takes a lot of thought, planning, effort and money. Thomas spent about ¾ of the cost of Qi on the preparations. Installing a water maker, wind generator, replacing engine blocks, the new sails, new electronics, new bottom…