Three years ago I never sailed on the open ocean. And here I am in the Mid-Atlantic 300NM off the coast of Africa between the Canary Islands and Cabo Verde. And that's where I'm going Cape Verde in Africa. In my trusty 37 year old Galopin. A 40ft Jeanneau ...
After about a year and a half in The Canary Islands, Natacha and I start our journey south to Cabo Verde Africa. A 800NM passage on the Mid-Atlantic Ocean. Our voyage begins with excitement in more 20kts wind on a rolling ocean. And on our first evening we...
Now we're on our way indeed! We fly the spinnaker and coast our way south at a steady 5kts. That doesn't mean everything goes well with my big orange sail. Bringing it down was a mess that got me all tangled up. Best thing is... no more seasickness!
Plea...
We either picked a perfect weather window or got very lucky or both. This is the definition of "Smooth Sailing". In the conditions, we could just keep on going for days. Were totally adjusted and comfortable. We're very close to getting to our destination,...
We are officially moored and settled in Mindelo, Cape Verde. Now it's time to meet some folks. From the guys working the marina, boat hitchhikers to seasoned sailors. As well we get a taste of some authentic Cabo Very music and are invited into the barrios...
We spent a week at the marina and then decided to anchor in the bay. There is plenty of space and the holding is good. But most importantly I wanted to test life a anchor for long a period of time. There is only one marina in Cape Verde. So anchoring is th...
I have not seen a beach like this in a long time! Marina Mindelo was busy with ARC sailors before sailing across the Atlantic. So we decided to get away and get a taste of real Africa just a few minutes walk from the marina. Later we get out of the city, a...
There are several shipwrecks in Mindelo Bay. One is partially submerged so we tied our dinghy on to it and explored the wreck top and bottom. But before we set to explore Mindelo Bay, one morning I wake up and everything is turned around. I have to do some...
Many sailors have come to Cape Verde then gone to sail across the Atlantic Ocean. I have chosen to stay longer and discover more about this island nation. In a way I am steering off the usual course and doing this a little more unusual. Like going bar hopp...
I'm no Anthony Bourdain, but this episode has some of his style because it is about discovering Cape Verde through food, drink, music and its people. My journey is about discovery. And here we discover a side of Cape Verde that is real. Some may say this i...
A bunch of young city folks go camping on a deserted beach. No it's not a pitch for a scary movie. It's what many Cape Verdean do on weekends. My dear friend Peixe invites us to share this experience. And it's quite a special time eating, swimming, fishing...
When you see what we saw, you'll hardly believe we are in Africa. But we are! On the island of Santa Antao, Cape Verde. The western-most island of the archipelago is the greenest of Cape Verde. In places it ressembles the Alps with it's high mountains. In ...
Words are hard to find to describe the island of Santa Antao, Cape Verde. And the trails that people have used to get around the island are nothing less that stunning. We follow a walking path around the rugged coastline for more than six hours. From the t...
No reservations, no plans where to stay. So we became village crashers. In fact two lovely families let us crash in their home. Cape Verdeans are some of the most friendly, generous and hospitable people. We got an idea of how they live. It's different tha...
What is a Mandingo? Fierce African warriors and in Cape Verde also great sailors. We set off with a crew of Cape Verdeans. It was great to have them aboard as they know the local waters. That's probably why we caught a big Mahi Mahi. Peixe was my go to guy...
Here we are on the south west coast of Santa Antao island. And we are taken on a hike up the lush valley that is fed by a natural spring. After about three hours of hiking we are at a beautiful waterfall. But there while trying to get a drone view, I lose ...
What's the difference between a beached Frenchman, a Trippy Viking and Black Cape Verdean Milkmaids? For the moment they all live in Mindelo, Cape Verde and, no joke, are starring in this episode. When living aboard a sailing vessel sailing around the worl...
We're going back to rescue the lost drone with help. Not just any help, but the crew from Bela Vista. All Cape Verdean! And yes, all black when we include Nat. So far I've never seen an all black crew on a sailing yacht. And passing yachties rarely take lo...
Not many people can go from sailor to Mandingo warrior, but in this episode you will see that one person can. And that is Peixe. A very special individual and friend. We start off from Tarafal de Mont Trige on the island of Santa Antao after a unsuccessful...
Natacha and I take to the sea for some Cape Verdean island hopping. And it's time Natacha starts to learn more about sailing Galoipin so the sexy sailor girl takes the helm. And she takes it well. All the way to Tarafal de Santa Antao. There we visit a Gro...
What is a Bitch Slap Sailing Lesson? Before this, I could not tell you. But after this nautical experience you'll understand. We had to get out and sail. Just me and Natacha. She needed to continue learning. So we sailed out of Mindelo Bay in common Cape V...
Want to know what sailing is about? Plain and simple it's about the wind. This is what sailing is all about. And in Cape Verde there is no shortage of wind. We sail from Sao Vicente island to the island of Santa Luzia. A uninhabited island and nature prese...
After sailing in pretty tough Cape Verde conditions, we find refuge in a bay of the uninhabited island of Santa Luzia. The island is a Nature Reserve. It is the forbidden island of the archipelago. We did not know it was forbidden to visit until we were ap...
We must leave the island of Santa Luzia and head East to the island of São Nicolau. There we explore the town of Tarafal and meet a jolly Italian who shows us his house. We blown around with sudden gusts that flip over my dinghy and outboard engine and se...
Amazing celebrations like Carnaval in Mindelo is also what sailing is all about. And this will blow you away! It's got beautiful girls of course, but Carnaval in Mindelo has got lots more than that. Creativity, humour, music and local friend who really kno...
There's a lot of fear of pirates on the high seas. They do exists, and this episode will prove it. You will meet Tito, a "Conojero" from Lanzarote Island in the Canaries. You'll also meet a couple of young pirates from Argentina, as well as a straight shoo...
Few yachts go to where we go. Most are in a hurry to go cross the Atlantic and it's not a highly recommended anchorage. Too deep, hard to beach the dingy and a very rolling. That is all true. Best of all, it is not crowded with other yachts. It's got beaut...
It seems many of the places to anchor in the Northern islands of Cape Verde are said to be rough. With real experience, I can say it all depends on the wind and waves. And if you brave the conditions, you will discover anchorages that let you discover real...
For seasoned sailors the answer is obvious. As well for arm chair sailors. But we begin this episode with a pretty lousy day at anchor. Which is a consistent 35kts of wind for most of the day hoping your boat won't drag. (My friend Tito's does). But we've ...
Getting to really know a place is when you have gotten to really know the people. For me it's most notably Peixe. One of the first guys I met who helped me fix my outboard motor and invited us to his home over six months ago. He's with again a journey to T...
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Just a few nautical miles away from Mindelo is a hidden gem of a cove. Protected from the constant trade winds which can get on your nerves back in Mindelo Bay. SO here we are to escape the wind and the city anchored in the wild west of Cape Verde. We are ...
We have visited 4 out of 10 Cape Verde islands. And now we're preparing the boat to sail out Mindelo Bay. Next is the eastern most island called Sal. After about 7 months here, Galopin has grown quite a bit of undergrowth on its hull and it must be cleaned...
Falling asleep at the helm is not like falling asleep at the wheel. We did and went off course and not off a cliff. Nat was hungover and I was tired from basically solo sailing most of the day. Which started good, than got hard because of poor judgement an...
Just outside of the port of Palmeira on the island of Sal is a zone of magnetic anomaly. But what is the effect of magnetic anomaly? That depends on who. In Natacha's case it seems to make her happy and dance. On the locals, they are all happy and smiley. ...
The Salinas de Pedra de Lume is now a tourist attraction where people bathe and float is the densely salted pools like in the Dead Sea. We spend a day there and Nat becomes the Ice Queen or Salted nut? Exploring the salt ponds of Pedra De Lume is a lot of ...
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