Commonwealth of Dominica

Decision taken: we go north to visit Dominica (do not mix it with Dominican Republic).

Seems to be an outstanding island, not too typical for Caribbean region. For us it is even more excitement, as we are planning to finally spend some more time on the ground ;p walking might be challenging and funny.

Custom was easy, you just need to knock the custom door and you get the stamp J we met Albert -  local guide and with his advice we have reanchored in safer area. Next day was sacrificed for some technical work on the Piligrim (our boat) but as well for a nice break to visit the Indian River. Pretty outstanding rainforest views and interesting stories about Dominica. On Monday we decided to rent a car to make a whole island tour. WOW. This island is surely worth to visit. Lovely views, finally some tasty food in Caribe and smiling people. Niceeeee. We split to save some time and I ended up alone in rental company. I got a lovely automatic left hand car (same as in Europe) but it is required to drive on the left side of the road. Seriously. I am gonna kill myself or somebody else. So driving to Jasiek I was simply funny. I was only repeating to myself: no gears and I drive on left side :) We had a great time while visiting Dominica, boosting Roussau, calm seasides, beautiful views from the hills and plenty of unbelievable colorful plants. There are 365 rivers in Dominica so the nature is really outstanding. Fully recommended :)

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year my Friends

This year for the second time in my life I spend Christmas far away from home. 

You are all in my heart and distance is only state of mind. 

I wish you all the best. Hope this Christmas will be magical for You in the same as for me and your secret dreams will come true.

My dreams are just about that :):):)

I will celebrate Christmas Eve with few polish Friends on Martinique and New Years Eve somewhere under the palm tree :)

Hohoho Rasta Christmas :):):)

it was enough to zoom out :p

https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?hl=pl&authuser=0&mid=1ZOYhQPdnD1aDlayKYzglpUeg7fs&ll=20.89519388582641%2C-37.360212768554675&z=4


this was our way through Atlantic Ocean :)

Crossing the Atlantic sum up

Simply amazing experience. A very good lesson about yourself, life and nature. Finally time to slow down and enjoy simple things. Last 4 weeks gave me more, than i would even expect. Gave me an opportunity to learn patience, respect for the Ocean and listen to amazing stories of others with no distraction. Meet people with same dreams and ideas for life. On one hand totally different, but in those small details exactly the same. Adjust myself to sailing rhythmus driven by the navigation and cooking shifts. Being dependent on the wind and weather and play with it, not against. Having long nostalgic moments and crazy funny laughs. Being in total darkness steering to nowhere and next night seeing sky full of stars. I cannot even figure out how many wishes I have said J at least half of them were for good wind and fresh fish :)

On Friday 11.11.2016 rest of the crew: Jowita with Marek, Andrzej, Bartek, Adam and Piotr joined us on the boat and we spent a very nice integration evening together with the second polish crew: Pawel and his crazy Gorlice Team :)

Saturday was a „technical day“, so still some last pimp my rides and buying a food. It is kind of challenge to estimate amount of food for 8 people needed during 3 weeks passage on the Atlantic Ocean. Imagine: absolutely no possibility to buy anything on the way… If you we are lucky, we will catch nice tuna or barracuda, but it is better to have it as a nice surprise, than a backup plan for food. We made a loooong list of potential lunches/dinners and went to Dino. It took us 4 hours and 8 full trolleys. 20kg potatoes, 6 kg rice, 10kg noodles, 10kg tomatoes, 300 liters of water although we have 1000l in the tank and very fast water maker. Another couple of hours were needed to store it on the boat. Even the smallest free space was used to pack something.

At the evening I met my friends: Justyna and captain Tomek and still enjoyed last moments of civilization.

Ready steady gooooo: on Sunday we did only last, small preparations, ate big breakfast on the shore and hoped for no sea sickness. So far I was always pretty good, but hello: here we do not stop for 3 weeks… At 1.30 PM we started with our 1st nM. Only 2700 left… sounds like a challenge J

Unbelievable how good i could adjust to such a small space with 7 random people. There were no arguments, no bad moments, everybody was smiling and enjoying this journey on their own way. We could integrate and also easily switch off and enjoy lonely moments. Absolute WOW.

We have shared the most important value: time, which was very well invested. For most people 4 weeks sound like everlasting and believe me, I do not even know when it passed.

We were estimating around 18 days (+/- 2 days) for those 2700 nM counting on north/east passats. Surprisingly there was no such wind till the very last days. Imagine total still in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. Instead of being mad as this meant delays we simply enjoyed calm, unwind dinner with candles J Well, at the end I am not in the hurry.

Sometimes I even had a feeling that my days are too short. Enjoying every meal  was simply outstanding, having an easy going midday nap, reading nice books, watching movies, learning new sailing skills from our smart skipper Jasiek. When we had harder times, always nice surprise showed up: catching delicious Calmars, after rain sun was shining and after still wind was blowing. Exactly like in our life, after hard days, good ones are about to come.

It all only increased my appetite for more. Now it is time to start part 2: sailing in Caribbean, hmmm it is hard to live simple :p

we are here :)

Guys you can track position of our Yacht Piligrim on those websites:

www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?ll=27.93306037170029%2C-15.57080254309085&hl=pl&z=10&authuser=0&mid=1ZOYhQPdnD1aDlayKYzglpUeg7fs



https://www.vesselfinder.com/vessels/PILIGRIM-IMO-0-MMSI-261034010

 talk to you in Caribbean :):):)

Las Palmas to Caribbean

After few days in Canary Island and getting to know my Captain: Jasiek and his boat we are almost ready to start our sailing on Atlantic Ocean to Caribbean. It is even hard to imagine this journey as we will spend around 18 days with absolutely no ground under feet. Ocean everywhere. Day and night. Crazy but also fascinating. Just think about the sky in the middle of Atlantic Ocean. How many shooting stars will I see. How many fresh fishes we will eat and how good I will become  in being in such extreme environment. There are no external „disturbers“. No internet, no phone, no traffic lights, no lines in the shop, nothing. Only me, just a little bit of water and calmness. Breath in, breath out, enjoy, relax, take it easy. Enjoy nature, free time, long conversation with other crew members. Learn life from the best possible way.

(Jachtostop): I am hitchhiking on Jasiek`s great Piligrim boat. Jasiek is an owner of amazing cruising company: Ortem Sails (www.ortemsails.pl) and is organizing sailing adventures all around the globe.

I am very happy to have a chance to sail with him and learn from the bests. 

More to be written from Caribbean :p

You can track us under: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Lisbon, Portugal

My lovely trip has started with a nice buffer time: visiting my friends: Ela and Joao in Lisbon. It was a hard Friday to say goodbye and make this brave step. As always Zielaczek drove me to the airport and tadammm here I am in this interim moment, which I truly hate. I made the decision, there is no way back, but still I do not know, what will happen and where I belong to. Really, hate this but than always something great happens and this time was exactly the same. Surprisingly i met Agata - my friend from high school, so we spent whole flight chatting and listening to our life stories. Really nice memories from the young age hahahahaha

Ela and Joao picked me up from the airport and we went for delicious sea food. Believe it or not, but i ate snails!!! Yes, i did!!! Snails.

Next day was like a „Children`s Day“ :) Ela took me to the Lisbon Zoo, where we have seen the Dolphin Show. Incredible, how smart and lovely those mammals are. They were jumping, spinning around, diving etc. really outstanding. I was sitting with my jaw open enjoying every minute of this lovely experience. Tiago was less childish than me hahahaha Tiago is the sweetest baby boy ever and is one of those kids who do not cry.

Afterwards we went to the Oceanarium, where I kept on „drying my teeth“ from smiling. Very well prepared and organized, where you almost feel like diving with sharks, devil fishes etc.

To have a nice happy end of the day we had another perfect dinner, this time prepared by the Cook Joao. Than a crazy Ladies night in Cuban club. And me naive believed, that i will not drink in Lisbon hahahahahahaha  Ela has no more milk in the freezer, so I am safe :)

Sunday appeared to be nice in Nazare and Obidos, but… well staying in bed with a little handover might be also interesting or?

ready steady goooooo

Amazing how bad I am organized this time. Not sure, if because I am lazy or because I am already experienced traveler and have this self confidence :)
At least I know, where i start. So already on Friday, I am flying to Lisbon to visit my friends: Ela and Joao. Few days later, flying to Gran Canaria to meet my Captain and start to be a part of the crew.
Around November 13th we start to sail via Atlantic Ocean to Martinique... And here my plan ends hahahahaha Staying few weeks in Caribbean, visiting my friend Monika on Dominican Republic, maybe my cousin in US with Australia as my destination. Well, we will see :)