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Jamaica Blue
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…
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Bonaire and Colombian Adventures
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…
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Back to Windward and a Visit to Germany
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…
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The Caribbean – The Leeward Isles
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…
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The Caribbean – The Windward Isles
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…
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Atlantic Crossing
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…
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Goodbye to the Med
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…
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Finding Crew
Finding crew had become simpler with the arrival of a website where skippers and crew could connect from all over the world. Thomas found several people who came and stayed for a few weeks. Amongst these people were a photographer and fun people to generally hang out with as Thomas got to know Qi and…
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Thomas Finds a Boat
After saving and planning for many years, Thomas found a boat that would sail him safely across the oceans to exotic destinations. Technically, it wasn’t Thomas who found the boat, but rather Conrad, a friend of Thomas’ who he’d met during some boat charters in the Caribbean. Travel had always been important to Thomas and…