Atlantic Ocean
The Cross-Atlantic Picture Show
Canned and dry foodstuffs for the passage.
Thorough cleaning of fresh fruits and vegetables.
Minutes before the start!
Spinnaker trimming.
Full steam ahead!
Rough weather fisherman Ola Røthe.
Who needs a fishing rod when these guys voluntarily fly onto the deck?
Eggs, bacon and tomato beans for breakfast. Notice the tilted stove.
Fish on!
One of many glorious sunsets.
Evening dinner below deck in rough seas. The boat was rolling more than the camera gives away.
Henrik and the spinnaker enjoying some time off in the sun.
Heavy thought processing when repairing the spinnaker.
Powering through a squall.
The spinnaker is flying again in wonderful weather.
Notice the stitching in top and the right side.
Land ho!
Sail trimming in the dead of night minutes before crossing the finish line.
VLOG Episode 3: The Atlantic Rally for Cruisers
Africa in Brief
If you saw our latest VLOG episode you know that we have been to Morocco. If you are an even keener follower you will have noticed that we have moved quite a bit since then. “Isn’t it time for another blog update?” you ask. Here it is!
Morocco, a former french colony, is a blend of Arab, Berbers, Sub-saharan africans and European cultures. In addition to Moroccon Arabic and several Berber dialects, French is a recognised language. Morocco is a constitutional monarchy with an elected parliament, yet the monarch holds vast legislative and executive powers. King Mohammed IV is the current ruler of Morocco, a direct descendant of the prophet Mohammed.
We visited two (three) cities in Morocco; Tangier and Rabat (and Salé). Tangier was a logical stop after sailing through the strait of Gibraltar. Regrettably, the harbour was not much to speak of. Mostly dominated by smaller fishing vessels, the harbour did not have fresh water, electricity or diesel readily available, and we had to lay alongside another sailing vessel behind an old, retired ferry. Providentially, we met a nice arab gentleman who offered to drive diesel to us in jerry cans on his moped. Furthermore, the harbourmaster waived all fees at time of departure and hoped we would return in 18 months at the completion of a giant marina specifically aimed at yachts.
Rabat, the capital and second largest city in Morocco, was something else entirely. We lay at berth in Bouregreg Marina, a brand new marina situated in a newly developed waterfront neighbourhood in the former pirate town of Salé. Salé and Rabat are different cities, on opposing banks of the Bouregreg river, but for all practical purposes they are know thought of as one and the same.
In both Tangier and Rabat we found time to do some sightseeing. A handful of the many gorgeous sights below.
Hassan Tower at night, Rabat.
Local book store, Rabat.
Cat at a café in the Kasbah, Rabat.
The Kasbah in Rabat. The blue paint wards of mosquitos.
Detail from the Kasbah, Rabat.
Cat lounging in the Kasbah gardens, Rabat.
The crew at a typical Moroccan restaurant in Rabat. From left: Peter, Paal André, Henrik and Sebastian.
Fresh fruit, Tangier.
Avocado shopping, Tangier.
An ocean of olives, Tangier.
Caribbean Expedition 2015 