Hi everyone,
We're back from St Martin and it was a fabulous time. In the near future I'll post a play by play of the trip. Including Scott screaming "YOU DON'T OWN THE OCEAN!" and nominations for the Dingy Trophy!
I know some of you might be getting this twice or even three times, but I wanted to get a firm head count on who's interested in Greece.
Please remember you'll have to leave the USA the Thursday before in order to get to the boats Saturday morning. I think we're going set sail from Paros and return to Athens (this isn't set yet but that's my hope). Some people are thinking of extending their trip an extra week but that's up to you.
Keep an eye out here for more updates... and I hope to see you in Greece!
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Friday, February 5, 2010
The Island of Anguilla
If you had any doubt that Anguilla is absolutely beautiful, then you have to check out this website…. http://www.anguilla-vacation.com/
Oh My Gosh! I can’t believe I get to be there in 7 days. I’m super excited. Anguilla is full of culture, pristine beaches and great cuisine.
Where to start!
The island has been inhabited for over 4,000 years! Its first inhabitants were people from South America, and then the English came in 1650. The French occupied it for about year, but the English got the island back in the Treaty of Breda. Typical… the English love their treaties (that’s about all I remember them all from high school history).
Anguilla was originally named “Malliouhana,” meaning arrow-shaped sea serpent! Then the island was renamed Anguilla by the Europeans, for its long eel shape (Guess Anguilla was easier to say!). Malliouhana (Anguilla) is the most northerly of the Leeward Islands in the Lesser Antilles. The island is about 35 square miles, made up of coral and limestone. It is mostly rock with some scrub oak trees and salt ponds.
Cool Culture!
The Arawak people believe that there are two sacred caverns, from where all mankind originated (Big Springs at Island Harbor and The Fountain at Shoal Bay). The Fountain is the Eastern Caribbean’s most intact ceremonial site and features petrogylphs, offering bowls and a stalagmite carved in the likeness of Jocahu, their Supreme Deity.
BEACHES!
Holy Cow, there are a lot of beaches to choose from on Anguilla. I think we could spend two weeks here and never see all of them. The coolest thing for me is that the island has seven marine parks, including Dog Island and Prickly Pear Cays! The island is known for its drift, wreck and reef diving… not to mention the snorkeling next to its white sand beaches.
Well, I don’t want to spoil everything… I just know these pictures don’t do the island justice. Guess we’ll have to see it for ourselves on February 14th!
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Bareboating the Greek Isles
If you’re like me, a day on the water beats any day on dry land. Therefore, it’s time to start planning an adventure to the Greek Islands.
The Destination
There are six different chains (clusters) that comprise the Greek Isles:
Each cluster of islands offers a wide variety of culture, natural beauty, history and intrigue. Some are more secluded (Sporades and Ionian), some are influenced by different cultures (Dodecanese, and North Aegean) but they all are worth visiting. Since we only have a week to explore, I’ve chosen the Cyclades Islands. There are over 200 islands located in the Cyclades chain. The major ones include Amorgós, Anáfē, Ándros, Antíparos, Dēlos, Eschátē, Íos, Kéa, Kímōlos, Kýthnos, Mēlos, Mýkonos, Náxos, Páros, Folégandros, Sérifos, Sífnos, Síkinos, Sýros, Tēnos, and Santoríni. Most of the smaller islands are uninhabited, but are just as beautiful.
Preliminary Vacation Plans
Itinerary:
I’ve done some initial research and the plans will be finalized upon my return from St Martin. My hope is to do a one way charter, so we can get the most out of our sailing experience. We’ll either start in Athens (sailing south in the Cyclades) or start in Paros (sailing north to Athens). Either way, we’ll hit six or seven islands, depending on the schedule and winds.
Expected Costs:
My initial cost estimates are extremely rough! The price includes a one way charter, $100/day in food, hotel stay (day before and after) and a flight. The price is subject to change, but I wanted you each to have an opportunity to plan. Just like the BVI and St Martin, my hope is to keep the price under my estimate.
Anticipated Dates:
I’m leaning towards starting the trip during the 1st week in September because of the Labor Day holiday. You’ll have to leave the States on Thursday (September 2nd) in order to make boat call on Saturday morning. We’ll sail for a week (Sept 4th – 11th) and then some of us are planning to tear up Europe the following week (September 11th – 19th). September 18th is the start of Oktoberfest in Munich; this might be a great place for a closing celebration (plus flights are cheaper to-from Germany right now).
Limited Participants:
I will only be planning this trip for four boats. Therefore, this trip has a maximum of 40 sailors. Reserve your spot ASAP by sending me your first payment. The $1000 is not refundable. If something happens once you’ve committed, I will work with you to find a replacement and determine a plan, but we’d much rather have you on the trip.
“In Greek mythology, the Anemoi (in Greek, Ἄνεμοι — "winds") were wind gods who were each ascribed a cardinal direction, from which their respective winds came, and were each associated with various seasons and weather conditions. They were sometimes represented as mere gusts of wind, at other times were personified as winged men, and at still other times were depicted as horses kept in the stables of the storm god Aeolus, who provided Odysseus with the Anemoi in the Odyssey. Astraeus, the astrological deity sometimes associated with Aeolus, and Eos, the goddess of the dawn, were the parents of the Anemoi, according to the Greek poet Hesiod.
Of the four chief Anemoi, Boreas was the north wind and bringer of cold winter air, Notus was the south wind and bringer of the storms of late summer and autumn, and Zephyrus was the west wind and bringer of light spring and early summer breezes; Eurus, the east wind, was not associated with any of the three Greek seasons, and is the only one of these four Anemoi not mentioned in Hesiod's Theogony or in the Orphic Hymns. Additionally, four lesser Anemoi were sometimes referenced, representing the northeast, southeast, northwest, and southwest winds.” (Thank you, Wikipedia!)
Some of you know… I really really want a dog!! Maybe I’ll name him Zephyrus… the only problem is Zephyrus was kind of a player. Think that matters to the dog? Anyway…I’ll send more history on Greece as the planning gets underway. This is going to be a true adventure… Pack your bags and I’ll see you in the Med.
The Destination
There are six different chains (clusters) that comprise the Greek Isles:
the Argo-Saronic Islands in the Saronic gulf near Athens- the Cyclades, a dense collection in the Aegean Sea
- the North Aegean Islands, off the west coast of Turkey
- the Dodecanese, a collection in the southeast between Crete and Turkey
- the Sporades, a small tight group off the coast of Euboea, and
- the Ionian Islands, located to the west of mainland Greece in the Ionian Sea.
Each cluster of islands offers a wide variety of culture, natural beauty, history and intrigue. Some are more secluded (Sporades and Ionian), some are influenced by different cultures (Dodecanese, and North Aegean) but they all are worth visiting. Since we only have a week to explore, I’ve chosen the Cyclades Islands. There are over 200 islands located in the Cyclades chain. The major ones include Amorgós, Anáfē, Ándros, Antíparos, Dēlos, Eschátē, Íos, Kéa, Kímōlos, Kýthnos, Mēlos, Mýkonos, Náxos, Páros, Folégandros, Sérifos, Sífnos, Síkinos, Sýros, Tēnos, and Santoríni. Most of the smaller islands are uninhabited, but are just as beautiful.
I’ve done some initial research and the plans will be finalized upon my return from St Martin. My hope is to do a one way charter, so we can get the most out of our sailing experience. We’ll either start in Athens (sailing south in the Cyclades) or start in Paros (sailing north to Athens). Either way, we’ll hit six or seven islands, depending on the schedule and winds.
Expected Costs:
My initial cost estimates are extremely rough! The price includes a one way charter, $100/day in food, hotel stay (day before and after) and a flight. The price is subject to change, but I wanted you each to have an opportunity to plan. Just like the BVI and St Martin, my hope is to keep the price under my estimate.
Anticipated Dates:
I’m leaning towards starting the trip during the 1st week in September because of the Labor Day holiday. You’ll have to leave the States on Thursday (September 2nd) in order to make boat call on Saturday morning. We’ll sail for a week (Sept 4th – 11th) and then some of us are planning to tear up Europe the following week (September 11th – 19th). September 18th is the start of Oktoberfest in Munich; this might be a great place for a closing celebration (plus flights are cheaper to-from Germany right now).
Limited Participants:
I will only be planning this trip for four boats. Therefore, this trip has a maximum of 40 sailors. Reserve your spot ASAP by sending me your first payment. The $1000 is not refundable. If something happens once you’ve committed, I will work with you to find a replacement and determine a plan, but we’d much rather have you on the trip.Geeky Greek History
Of the four chief Anemoi, Boreas was the north wind and bringer of cold winter air, Notus was the south wind and bringer of the storms of late summer and autumn, and Zephyrus was the west wind and bringer of light spring and early summer breezes; Eurus, the east wind, was not associated with any of the three Greek seasons, and is the only one of these four Anemoi not mentioned in Hesiod's Theogony or in the Orphic Hymns. Additionally, four lesser Anemoi were sometimes referenced, representing the northeast, southeast, northwest, and southwest winds.” (Thank you, Wikipedia!)
Some of you know… I really really want a dog!! Maybe I’ll name him Zephyrus… the only problem is Zephyrus was kind of a player. Think that matters to the dog? Anyway…I’ll send more history on Greece as the planning gets underway. This is going to be a true adventure… Pack your bags and I’ll see you in the Med.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Sea Sickness will NOT ruin my vacation!
Don’t spoil the excitement of your approaching bareboat adventure with the fear of sea sickness. I’ve been sailing for over 20 years and have gotten sick more than once, twice… oh the number is LARGE. Any sailor that tells you they’ve never gotten sick is full of $h%@. If you tend to suffer from this illness, like me, it is best to take sea sickness precautions. I’m a true believer of… Better Safe, Than Sorry! So take preventative measures! Once you're aboard and start seeing green, it's too late. You should take anti-seasick measures before you step on board. Within 2 or 3 days you normally will adjust to the new moving environment! You’ll "Gain Your Sea Legs!” If you board in a fit, rested and healthy condition, your chances of experiencing sea sickness decrease significantly. So… if you have allergies or a head cold, rest up and take something to clear it up. Why do we get seasick?
Well, it’s really “motion” sickness. It can happen whether you're in a ship, smaller boat, a car, plane, or train! So “sea” sickness is just motion sickness while on water. If the seas are calm, the risk of getting sick is reduced. Rough seas however, push up the probability of sea sickness.
Why does this happen? Well, they say… The signals sent to your brain by your eyes and inner ear, conflict. It's called visual disorientation and means that while your inner ear detects that you are moving; your eyes detect that you are not. The result is the terrible feeling of having lunch again (only slightly over processed). To get rid of the nausea, you need to "override" the signals by, for example, looking at an object outside of the boat/car/train. Someone’s even told me to think about the Cubs (Chicago Cubs --- not that I’m a huge baseball fan or anything, it was just something to distract me from concentrating on my head and stomach fighting!) Another way is to get your inner ear to experience stability which is a lot more difficult when you’re moving!Prevention Is Better Than Cure
My suggestions (based on past experience)… ALWAYS start with a good diet. No trips to the greasy spoon or night of heavy drinking before you board. SKIP the Dramamine, Bonine, Antivert, etc. They don’t work, they make me drowsy, and I end up on the leeward rail puking my guts out all night. If you have allergies or are susceptible to an inner ear infection, take the basic Sudafed (the little red ones you get from the pharmacist). They’ll clear you right up! And a clear head is much more fun on a boat. Divers use this trick to help equalize the pressure while diving. Lastly, if you know you get sick easily while in a car, plane or train… go to your doctor and get the “patch!” He or she will prescribe the right dosage. But even then, if you’re a petite girl or have a high metabolism you might want to cut the patch in half. I’ve found that some patches make me go a little “cuckoo for coco puffs!” So try half a patch and if you need more you can always up the dosage. (P.S. I’m not a doctor, so consult a real MD before you do anything!)To The Rescue!
If you suddenly start to sweat, turn pale, salivate and have a general feeling of discomfort, hopefully remember the following information until you get your sea legs:
Do:
1. Look out the window (or better yet, go onto the deck and to the centre of the ship, facing forward) at a distant, stable object, like the horizon. The center of the ship, close to the waterline, is the most stable part of the ship.
2. Use a fan or listen to some music… this will get your mind off things. (This is the whole Think about the Chicago Cubs)
3. Eat some salty snacks with regular intervals to help dry up your stomach.
4. Relax if you can - lying down and closing your eyes might help. I prefer to lay on deck instead of in a cabin… the fresh (salty) air seems to help.
5. Ginger is a natural remedy to general nausea and sea sickness. Drink ginger beer or tea, or eat fresh ginger, a cookie or suck on a ginger sweet (like Gin Gins) to help combat your green cheeks. Try Sailor's Secret, a branded ginger capsule or Quesy Pops, popsicles containing essential oils from natural herbs and aromatherapy in ginger flavor but also others like lavender, peppermint, etc. Any ginger product is most effective if taken before boarding.
6. Some motion sickness medicine (e.g. Dramamine patches) may help to reduce the nausea at this stage. Maybe one of the most effective if you're severely seasick and vomiting, is heavy duty Phenergan Suppositories.
7. Bitters, mint, citrus, apricot juice, carrot juice, unroasted pumpkin or squash seeds, parsley and peppermint tea are also said to help combat sea sickness but there doesn't seem to be much proof out there.
Don’t:
1. Read or watch television once the sea sickness has kicked in, it will make you feel worse.
2. Drink big gulps of water. Tiny sips at intervals are better.
3. Face backwards. So true… face into the wind, having it cool your face while you breathe in your nose and out your mouth helps a TON!
Options for a Cure
There are a TON of medicines and devices are available to fight sea sickness. Some work well for some people and not so well for others. I’ve tried them all… and it’s all a matter of finding your fit. If it's your first trip it might be a bit of a "hit and miss" situation, but one of these should do the trick:
1. Diet - to start off with, eat "safe" foods for about a day before boarding (nothing acidic, spicy or fatty) … and don't over indulge (food/alcohol). Eating a light "safe" meal before you board will also help reduce the risk and/or effects of seasickness. Ginger a great choice! We’ll have ginger snaps and ginger ale on the boat.
2. The motion sickness patch is probably the most popular these days - to be placed behind your ear 4 hours before boarding and changed if necessary after 72 hours. This is quite an effective way to prevent seasickness but causes things like a dry mouth and blurry vision. Better to be thirsty than sick, though! The active ingredient, scopolamine, is absorbed through the skin. The best place to get the patch if from your doctor. He or she will be able to control the dose you receive. Also, if you’re a tiny girl or have a high metabolism, think about cutting the patch in half. It will still help and with ½ the side effects.
3. Over the counter medication (usually causes some drowsiness) - to be taken 1-2 hours before boarding. The most recommended are pills with the active ingredient meclizine (less-drowsy Dramamine, Bonine, Antivert), then pills with the active ingredient Dimenhydrinate (Dramamine regular). Marezine (cyclizine) and Stugeron (cinnarizine) seem to be less sleep inducing than all of the above. Other popular antihistamines (Benadryl - diphenhydramine based) also work for some people. (Money saving tip: ask your pharmacist for the generic version of the medication you wish to take.) Not that I know everyone in the world, but I’ve yet to find someone who swears by this method. And personally, it just makes me more sick and I sleep my trip away (even with the “non” drowsy stuff).
5. Acupressure bracelets - a drug-free product causing no side effects - the motion sickness band is worn one on each wrist for the duration of your trip. Some contain small magnets, others just a stud, which should be aligned with a pressure point (P6) on your wrist and pressure applied periodically. This won't work very well if you "miss" the pressure point.
6. Motion Eaze natural oil - to be applied behind the ear and is absorbed through the skin. Also effective if feeling nauseas already. No side effects.
7. The electronic, drug-free motion sickness ReliefBand® is worn on the wrist, a kind of motion sickness watch. It emits low-level electrical pulses to avoid and treat motion sickness by calming the stomach.
*For children, elderly folk, those using other medication, pregnant or breast feeding women - it's best to consult your doctor before taking new medication.
Saint Martin/Sint Maarten Great Divide
Here is an interesting little tidbit about St Martin/Sint Maarten. Apparently, St Martin/Sint Maarten peaceful divide dates back to 1648. That’s quite a stretch, especially if the “motherland” is warring! There are a few stories but the most popular folklore of the border division between the French (St Martin) and Dutch (Sint Maarten) side is that…
I do love wine and I can see how it would sustain a man longer than gin, but I’m not sure I want to be walking 30+miles around the island. I’d rather sail into the sunset distracted by the white sand beaches and the crisp salty air.
In order to divide the island in two sections, the inhabitants were told to choose two walkers, one to represent the French and the other the Dutch. They were put back to back at one extreme end of the island, making them walk in opposite directions while sticking to the coast line, and No Running! The point where they met on the other extreme of the island would subsequently create a line to represent the frontier, dividing French, Saint Martin from Dutch, Sint Maarten. The French walker had walked more than his Dutch counterpart, 20.1 and 12.4 square miles, respectively. It is said that the Frenchman chose wine as his stimulant prior to the race, while the Dutchmen chose gin. The difference between such lovely beverages was said to be the cause of the territorial differences by French locals, while Dutch locals tended to blame the French "walker" for running and sending women to distract the Dutchman.
I do love wine and I can see how it would sustain a man longer than gin, but I’m not sure I want to be walking 30+miles around the island. I’d rather sail into the sunset distracted by the white sand beaches and the crisp salty air.
Monday, January 25, 2010
ST MAARTEN/ ST BARTS/ ANGUILLA
Energized from our adventures in the BVI, I decided to plan two trips for 2010. The first is right around the corner… St Maarten/St Barts/Anguilla. We start with a sleep aboard on Friday, February 12th and will return to the blustery north on Sunday, February 21st.For this trip, our sailors hail from Oregon, California, Illinois, South Carolina and Washington DC. Our adventure will start off by flying into SXM. From all the pictures it’s quite the landing, right over the water/public beach. Good thing the prevailing winds are from the northeast and the forecast is for a lovely 80o and sunshine.
We’ve chartered an Oceanis 52.3 through Tropical Yachts. The boat has 5 cabins and 5 heads. I’ve taken the liberty of collecting multiple refreshing sprays, diffusers, and air fresheners to make the head “seem” refreshed! Apparently, coffee in premade filters and dryer sheets make good diffusers but if that doesn’t work I picked up some sprays and stick-ups. I’ll let you know what works the best.
With only ten sailors on the boat everyone will have a little more privacy as no one will have to sleep under the table or in the galley. Although, I’m sure a few of us will sleep on deck enjoying the salty air.
Our boat is docked in Oyster Bay, on the Dutch side of St Maarten. Most of the crew is arriving Friday, February 12th at 9pm, but a few will be there early to pick up provisioning, check-in, and get the blender rolling.
Once everyone is aboard and we’ve check out, we’ll set sail Saturday morning. The route is still being worked out but since Mardi Gras is Tuesday, February 16th, you’ll probably find us in Grand Case, St Martin (French Side) participating in the parade and festivities. We will be visiting St Barts and Anguilla on our trip, but if the weather holds we might venture south to St Kitts!
Keep watch for posts while we’re on the trip… and if you're not one of the fortunate 10 embarking on a tropical sail, we hope to see you in Greece in September.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Introductions
So, this is my first swim into blogging! My hope is that this site will be a great place for us to discuss past, present and futures sailing adventures. This is a great place to read about experiences, ask/answer questions about upcoming trips, and just enjoy the thought of being out on a boat!
A year ago, 32 of us sailed the BVI... in one month, 10 of us return to a tropical paradise (St Maarten, Anguilla, St Barts) to recreate the adventure and make new memories.
See you on the water!
FYI a new website is under construction (fairwindadventures.com)
A year ago, 32 of us sailed the BVI... in one month, 10 of us return to a tropical paradise (St Maarten, Anguilla, St Barts) to recreate the adventure and make new memories.
See you on the water!
FYI a new website is under construction (fairwindadventures.com)
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