Nassau

Kiwi will cross the Atlantic back to Europe starting around 20th of May. Sanja is fortunate to have Eva from Netherlands as first mate (mate of honor). Emma and Angela, both Irish and competent sailors, will accompany us.

Few days ago Kiwi reached Nassau to see Mona, Karen and Ireen fly back to Europe and reality. We had an adventurous trip including several friendly encounters with sharks and hunders of different reef fish, crustaceans, slimy worms, plankton and other sea stuff that made these biologists very excited. In between easygoing anchoring in turkish green waters, we also had loooongg passages with seasickness, a night of sailing against a thunder storm and challenging anchor operations resulting in one of Kiwi's 25 kg Bruce anchors snapping in two!

Recovering from all this, and three weeks of constant cheerful chit-chating and laughter onbord, Sanja spends some days in Nassau. Current in the harbor basin is strong and there is very little protection from the easterlies, but neighboring boats are very friendly and issues like dragging anchors, dinners and drinks are addressed together.

Pictures will follow!

Four chicks sailing the Bahamas

 

 

 

After Philipp travelled home from Caicos, Kiwi headed northwest to Bahamas with Mona, Karen, Ireen and Sanja onboard. 

Clearing in at Mayaguana, our first port in Bahamas. The local police wasnt really impressed by Kiwi making it all the way to Bahamas from Norway, but was utterly astonished by two ladies walking the distance of four km (!) from our anchorage to the town where the customs office was located. We quickly become something like celebrities on the island. We were naturally escorted back to the boat in a police car.

Reminents of an oil spill on East Plane Cay, an uninhabited outer island of the Bahamas. There is no island that remote that plastic and other dirt wouldnt cover its shores. 

Sailing with three biologists naturally turns some of the focus of the trip on observing marine life. We all share great interest to snorkeling, but are equipped with slightly different levels of courage when it comes to approaching certain sharp thoothed top predators of the reefs (not in the picture)

This mahi-mahi turned in to dinner and lunch for four days. Mona is a competent slaughterer

Ireen does like the humpback whale

Karen and amazing colors