Festival of San Juan in Palma, Mallorca

Imagine Halloween, the Day of the Dead, 4th of July, a Kiss Rock Concert and thousands of people undulating to primal native drums….. All together and on steroids !!! And trust us when we say that does not even begin to describe the Festival of San Juan here in Palma, Mallorca.

We found ourselves along with thousands of others in the park near the Cathedral listening to Celtic music and participating in what was described to us as a celebration of Summer. As we anticipated observing the show and goings on we got closer to a boat coming to shore with torches of fire. And without warning we were no longer observers but forced participants in a totally surprising and somewhat fearful dance with the devil, the darkness and death. At least a hundred devils with fiery torches jumped out of the boat and began chasing through the crowds. We simply could not escape and had no idea what was going on as fireworks began raining down on our heads and all around us along with the surprise attacks of fire from the devils.

This “fun” lasted for over an hour, and we finally got with the program, altho Willow still used her Captain as a shield and hid behind him from the forging devils and “pouring from heaven fireworks“. They sure know how to party here in Palma and we were glad to be here to experience it.

Check out this You Tube Video of the festival and you might get a little taste of it altho the video and attached photos can’t even begin to describe it. You just had to be there….

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20n-L8jDAC4

Sunset Summer Solstice Toast

On this the longest day of the year, we sat on the deck and toasted, honored and appreciated Brother Sun for once again carrying us upon his back all day long.
Ocean breezes, magnificent sunset, great red wine, the Willow and her Captain......
All is perfect !!!!!

Full Moon in Mallorca

We had gentle breezes and smooth seas for a great sailing day over to the island of Mallorca. We anchored in one of our favorite calas (coves) where it was just us and the wild goats playing along the cliffs. The water is exquisite turquoise and the pictures can't even begin to capture the reality of it. Yes, we felt like we were the only ones in all of the universe.....

















We moved on around the coast to the small port town of Soller and enjoyed tapas at our favorite restaurant La Pirata (the Pirate), before traveling down to Cabo Magrats for full moon.

Once again, we had the cala all to ourselves as we lay on the deck of EcstaSea bathing in the fullness of the light of the moon.
The Captain mesmerized by Mother Moon............

All that water, all that light, all that energy......What an experience of ecstasy on EcstaSea!!!!!

We even got to see the lunar eclipse, which was a surprise as we thought it wouldn't be visible in the northern hemisphere. But it was!



And Willow finally got brave and took the first plunge of the season in cold, cold Yemaya!!!


And then it was time to move into the place where we began this adventure on EcstaSea four seasons ago--Palma, Mallorca. We love this town- so full of life and exuberance! The majestic cathedral, palace, walled old city with cobblestone streets. Full of history but with an obvious present day youthful and alive energy that we can relate to. And of course, some of the best food and restaurants in the world which we just had to sample!!!

But as always, after a few days we craved the lazy, slow moving life back at sea anchored out in one of the many calas along the beautiful coast of Mallorca. We sometimes ask ourselves where in all of our travels have we found a place we could possibly settle down in, and we think Mallorca might be the place. But for now we love the variety and constant changeability of our back yard vistas and knowing that we "own" wherever we happen to be.

We find that we are sailing in the "ease band" of life more and more. It has been, and is our aspiration and intention to explore and play in that realm, and we are excited as we feel our progress. It is a state of consciousness, not a state of everything being or needing to be "easy". Our belief is that all things, including our experience of "good or bad, hard or easy" are projections from the realm of the "thinking mind". Can we relax the thinking mind with it's need to control circumstances? Can we remain "easeful" when circumstances are not "easy"? It is all an "inside job" and a state of "being with ease in our mind" as we deal with what is. We CAN remain with an "easeful mind and easeful heart", even when circumstances are difficult. It is a choice and one we choose to make more often. What a wonderful playground!!!!!

We play on and on and on......

We left Alghero with a send-off at the dock of about 6 mariachi singers with instruments singing the “Tequila” song. We realized that they were not really singing for us but for the drunk German neighbor boat, who by the way kept us up every night with their carousing (maybe we are just jealous that they didn’t invite us). Everyone was dancing around and paid them with cans of beer. Really though, it was great fun!!!!



We had a peaceful and gently passage all the way to Spain and the island of Menorca. It’s about 200 nautical miles and took us 26 hours. We wish for each and every soul to experience the timelessness of gliding along under a blanket of stars with nothing but ocean all around you as the sliver of the crescent moon turns golden, dropping peacefully into the ocean.

The “puppies of the ocean”, (dolphins) came to play with us and swim gracefully along our bow just as we entered the waters off of Spain. YEAH!!!!!

It was such an easeful passage, especially after all of our challenges last year in Greece. And yet we still find it interesting how our minds like to mess with us. Shouldn’t there be more of a challenge, if it is really worthy? Is it really as good as we think it is if it is so damn easy? How messed up our old conditioning is and how surprised we are that it still shows up for us, as we really do believe that “Life is supposed to be easeful”. How would our lives change if we didn’t struggle and always try to sail into the wind. Still so much to “let go of” as old habitual patterns of thought that no longer serve us still like to appear.

We enjoyed the port of Mahon for a few nights and met some interesting Aussie sailors who were great fun. In fact, their kangaroo jumped ship and decided to play aboard EcstaSea for a night but alas, we gave her back before we sailed away.

We are anchoring in some of our favorite coves from the time we spent here 3 years ago. The familiarity is comforting and we also look forward to the discovery of new and beautiful spots to drop anchor.

We are off to the island of Mallorca to find a secluded and special cove to experience Full Moon on Wed. June 15th. Enjoy your “fullness of light” wherever you may be……

2011 Beginning Again

We left our Tucson home two weeks ago today and here we are again at our ocean home on EcstaSea. She wintered here in Alghero, Sardinia (an Italian island) and she is now ready to sail free to wherever we head her. As always, it took a few days to get over our jet-lag as there is an 8 hour time difference. But within just a few days EcstaSea was put in the water and we began the work of getting her ready to sail. Lots of good hard work as we rigged the sails, cleaned her up and provisioned.
Willow’s courage was challenged but she triumphed as Richard hauled her up to the top of the mast for some needed repairs. What a view!!! Yeah, that little speck at the top really is Willow.


We have re-acquainted ourselves with this sweet little town and eaten lasagne, pasta, great wine and lots of gelato at our favorite restaurants. While the food is wonderful we notice that there is not the variety that we are accustomed to -- it is still all Italian food. So, once in a while we really, really, really need to visit McDonalds!!!!

We hear the old gypsy couple as she plays the tambourine and he plays the same 10 notes of “It’s now or never” on his saxophone (all day long). We would love to to pay them to stop but don’t know how to communicate that in Italiano.


We took a few days outside of Alghero and anchored out in a little cove just to get our sea legs back. Once again we are aware of the great contrast between living on land where nothing under your feet moves to living on a fluid, constantly changing ocean of waves. Everything moving and changing which is really what life is all about, isn’t it?

It’s still spring like here with a chill in the air and we realize we left Tucson summer and are enjoying a change of seasons, in reverse.

We enjoy the sound of the boisterous and demonstrative Italian language all around us, but are struck with the silence within our own minds since we can’t understand what they are saying. No eavesdropping or intrusion into our own thoughts since we have no comprehension of the multitude of conversations around us. It is quite refreshing and oh so quiet in the midst of so much noise….

And yes, we do know enough Italian to get by when we need to and that is just enough for us.

The sunsets have been spectacular as we watch the sun go down with a glass of wine on the deck of EcstaSea and notice the statue of Mary overlooking the harbor. We love this old walled city with it's cobblestone streets and are proud to call it "ours", well, at least for now.



Once again our time on EcstaSea is “timeless” and that is the gift we give ourselves with this lifestyle that we have chosen. Timeless, peaceful, quiet and full of awareness and beauty. For this we are ever thankful…..