Reunion

We see ourselves as "social" beings and yet so solitarily comfortable that we don't seek out or need many social interactions or  acquaintances. Cruisers are notably known as party-going, happy hour kind of social, networking people. And while that is great, we usually don't fall into that genre. But once in a while we meet someone special that we really enjoy getting to know on a deeper level. And one of those someones is Ray and his wife Fran from Australia. We met them in the Mediterranean 4 years ago and have kept in touch via email for these past years. So what fun when we reconnected here in the British Virgin Islands!!!
Fran is not here but Ray and his crew met up with us and we had several days of laughs and catching up….

We spent several days anchored out on the island of Jost Van Dyke. And spent several fun nights at the  beach bar and restaurant called "Foxys".

 Great barbecue, drinks and dancing till way past our bedtime ---oh yeah, we don't have a bedtime---altho it seems that since the crossing it has been way too early, as we have needed to catch up on sleep. Anyway, fun times at a fun place and we feel ourselves coming alive again.
Thank you Ray and Foxys.

Below the Surface

Our life aboard EcstaSea has always been, up till now, lived in the Mediterranean. And we really, really like Europe and all that it has to offer. So i (Willow) have found it a bigger adjustment being here in the Caribbean on EcstaSea than the Captain has. I have been looking for the magic that i know is offered here. Now Yemaya, the ocean, the sea (whatever you want to call her) is magically inherent within herself. Her movement, her power, her cleansing and her beauty just to name a few of her magical qualities. That is why we love living on her anywhere in the world. 

And i have finally found the magic here and it is just below the surface…It is the magnificent underwater life bursting forth with spontaneous exuberance!!! 

We are in the British Virgin Islands now and have been anchoring in Benures Bay on Norman Island. And the snorkeling here is as good as it gets. Richard says it's like swimming in The Monterey Aquarium. Our underwater camera has decided not to work and we are intent on getting a GoPro when we get back to the States, so you just have to take our word for it. The variety is astonishing regarding the fish as well as the flora and coral. The colors are so vivid--purples, yellow, electric blues, black, white, reds of every shade and on and on and on….WE have seen multitudes of parrot fish flashing their brilliant colors as they munch on the coral. We see puffer fish, rays, nurse sharks, moray eels, big fish, little fish and more than we can describe or know. WE jump of the back of the boat and swim and swim just looking in awe at the life all around us, and we see something new everyday.

This is the gift of the Caribbean.

In our special cove there is also an abundance of birds all around. We  especially have fun watching the Pelicans. They look almost pre-historic. They fly and fish all day and even rest up in the trees. And these we can show you pictures of.

So i am, we are, settling in here and feeling more at ease. The Med had beautiful islands and waters but virtually no life below the surface. Now we are swimming daily, getting in great shape and entertained beyond measure as we marvel at the abundant sea life just below the surface. Aren't the real treasures always found if we are willing to dig a little deeper and go below the surface? We think so….

Laughing Goddess

Richard and i like, and often use the phrase, "If you want to make the Goddess laugh, make a plan".
Not that we don't believe that we are the creators of our own reality and circumstances, but the Goddess enjoys fooling around with us when we are too rigidly defined by our own limiting plans. The Goddess embodies "Yes" -- yes to all things, and requires great flexibility to play in her kingdom.

With that said, we expected to come to the Caribbean and experience "easier" conditions in many ways. And now we are laughing (after being pissed off) along with Her.

WE loved the Med and how it continuously stretched us beyond our comfort zones---until it didn't anymore and we then knew it was time to leave. But somewhere we forgot that "anything" new would be challenging, stretch us, and make us uncomfortable for a time.

WE thought Caribbean---warm waters, easy trade winds, English as the primary language, and "Hey Mon" easy island attitudes---would be easy. Well, it is requiring a bigger adjustment period than we anticipated.

This winter is an unusually windy, cool and rainy season. Tucson (our desert home) is experiencing an unusually warm winter---go figure??? Groceries here in the Caribbean are much more expensive than in Europe and we miss the great outdoor markets with fresh fruit and veggies. WE miss the culture and great variety of restaurants. And we are surprised that here to anchor out we must pay a daily fee. WE miss the foreign languages that we could not understand and are dismayed that we can hear everyones conversations all around us as they speak English. Our world was much "quieter" in Europe. Granted, we have only been on the islands of St Martin and St Barths (getting repairs done), so we are trying to withhold judgement for now. (Actually, we would be much happier if we could not just withhold --but have NO judgement at all, hmmmm?).

Now no one feels in the least bit sorry for us, and we do not feel sorry for ourselves. WE have created a magnificent life and are thankful for it every moment. But yes, we do get a little pissy sometimes and then the Goddess reminds us to say "Yes" to it all and create from there. And whether we perceive something as "easy" or "hard" we want the growth and expansion inherent in the experience of it.

So whether it becomes easier or not here, we do always intend to live with an "easeful" heart and attitude. And that is the saving grace.

Chuckle, chuckle….Thank you Goddess…..

Turtles and This n' That

The best Captain and crew leaving EcstaSea on the way to the airport for the guys to go back home to Palma, Mallorca.

EcstaSea's broken cutter forestay sagging on the foredeck….Now all fixed!!! The broken whisker pole is also fixed and we are just waiting on the tear in the mainsail to be repaired and then we are all good to go once again.

The Captain enjoying his fast dingy now with it's new Yamaha outboard engine!!!

Aaaahhhh…a refreshing cool dip into the turquoise blue waters of Yemaya….Life is slowing down and so are we.

The sea turtles are everywhere around the islands of St Martin and St Barths. We sure have fun watching them all around the boat and also getting close to them as we snorkel.

As we were waiting on St Martin for some of the repairs on EcstaSea to be completed, we went over to the island of St Barths to explore. We rented a modified ATV vehicle to travel around the island.

It's a beautiful island that is only 8 miles by 4 miles so it didn't take long to see the whole thing in one day. Then we anchored in the quiet cove of Columbiere to swim, snorkel and enjoy the gorgeous sunsets…

Don't we look relaxed---it's not the rum but just that we have finally caught the "island vibe"….

Crossing The Big Blue

We left the Canary Island of Tenerife on Sunday, January 12th for the last leg of our journey across the Big Blue Atlantic to the islands of the Caribbean. We were excited and ready to go.

Our great crew, Xavier and Mariusz all ready to go….

As we leave with the volcanic peak of Tenerife in the background….

It was rough seas and rolly with no wind as we left land and so we motored all day. Then we began the long sail the next day as we lost sight of land.
The sea puppies (dolphins) came to play 2 days later. We've often been blessed with their playfulness but never by so many at once. At least 100 came from every direction towards the boat, leaping and frollicking and rolling over to look up at us. There were so many and we were having such fun that none of us even thought to try to take pictures of them. Blessed we were…

Full moon rising out of Yemaya, teasing us as she ducked in and out of the clouds. We all honored her and i (Willow) took the 1st night watch (9-midnight) to celebrate her fullness and get my monthly dose of energy and Light….

Dolphins came again the next day to play and swim alongside the boat---playful and aware of the laughter and joy they brought us. But once again -- no pictures, so you'll just have to trust us.

We had many squalls and rainstorms throughout the journey and almost always at night. We each had 3 hour watches which is an easy time period to stay awake and watch. But with storms throughout  the nights we each had our share of challenges at one time or another. We would like to report that it was an easy trip but have to say instead that it was a continuing challenge of high winds and seas without much rest. Richard had told me that with the big waves of the open ocean it would feel like a "Big old easy chair" as the boat rose up and down on them. Well….. i waited expectantly every day and night for my "easy chair"---and it may be out on the Atlantic somewhere but it never made it onto EcstaSea.
The winds were so strong that we sailed with the sails reefed for most of the journey. The waves were 15-25 feet high and instead of long time periods between them they were close together, choppy and coming from every direction. They were what old sailors call "confused seas" and they sure confused us!
A little over a week in the whisker pole (used to hold the sails out to the side as we sailed downwind) broke off the mast causing alarm and action on all of our parts. Thankfully no one was injured and we re-adjusted and adapted the sails to continue without it.
A continued learning for Richard and i is the "being with what is"and controlling the thoughts of "it shouldn't be this way". Of course it "should" be this way because it "is"…"The wind shouldn't be blowing this high and the waves shouldn't be so rough"---of course they should be, because they are!
One of the main reasons to "be with what is" is to alleviate the suffering we inflict on ourselves as our minds oppose and resist the "reality" of the moment. It also wastes vital energy in opposition, depleting ourselves of the resources and energy needed to create again. It is impossible and absurd to resist the forces of nature, and yet we do so in our minds. It is true that the moment (reality) may be painful, but it is with the minds conversation and resistance that we creat suffering for ourselves. What an amplified opportunity we had to live within  this learning once again.
We also noticed  that we were unconsciously agreeing with those around us who often say that especially on a boat "shit happens". We finally saw that the more we said it--- the more shit happened. Duh….what part of Law of Attraction did we forget???
We also had the continual opportunity to "not take it personally". Yemaya (ocean) with her frenetic, powerful energy just does what she does, without any regard for us. We felt punished by her and began the mantra of "harmony without resistance"as we felt her waves shoving us around. Xavier reminded us to "become the ocean" and it helped us especially as we were tossed to and fro as we tried to sleep. We focused on rolling and moving in harmony with her as we relaxed into her movement.

The Captain and First Mate relaxing into it….

Richard had told us about the whales that had visited him during his previous Atlantic crossing. So we were all calling them forth and anxious to see them. Well within a flu uew minutes of the whisker pole emergency the whales came to visit. Many of them, riding on the big waves behind the boat to look out at us and then gliding alongside closer and rolling over to show us their white bellies. They stayed a long time and we felt they came to reassure us that "all was well" and to change our anxious fearful energy into light and playfulness. Xavier took hundreds of photos to get just a few clear ones. They also came a few days later to bless us again. In the picture see the one with it's tail out of the water and it's white underbelly showing…

Another recurring learning for Richard and i is the diligent practice of noticing the "What if?" thoughts. And never have we had more urgent opportunities than on this journey to notice them and stop them before we manifested them. To see a 25 foot wave approaching and Not fall into unconsciousness by entertaining the thought "What if?"…. To be scared on a night watch and Not ask "what if?" any numerous catastrophes. The thought will come but what we do with it -- the energy or ongoing attention we give it is up to us. The awareness and shifting away from worry, fear and sheer terror requires diligence. Very good learnings that we are so thankful for…

We also saw lots of flying fish throughout the sail. Unfortunately for them a few landed on the deck of the boat but fortunately for us we got to see them up close and personal….

Xavier had a birthday on January 23rd and the Universe celebrated with him by giving him the most glorious and complete rainbow as a gift. Ocean to ocean across the sky as we sailed into it….

Xavier also celebrated his birthday by cooking us a favorite creole dish of curried meatballs and rice and i made my favorite brownies. Thanks for another trip around the sun, Xavier….

Both Xavier and Mariusz are great cooks and loved spending time in the galley as much as the rough seas allowed. Those of you who know our somewhat small appetites and odd aversion to too much food can imagine that we were often overwhelmed with the cooks enthusiasm around "bon appetite".

It was truly a gift that we all got along so well and we allowed each other's differences without a lot of judgement. Richard and i are so solitarily comfortable in our togetherness that it could have been overwhelming crowded on EcstaSea.  But we were happy to know that in close confined quarters of the boat that we all managed quite well. We each had our "grumpy-need our space" moments but kindness and respect always abounded. We could not and would not have wanted to do this crossing without them. I lovingly called them "my Boys" and each brought unique skills and talents to keep us safe, well fed and light-hearted with laughter. Thank you Xavier and Marius…

The color palette of the open ocean is blue on blue with touches of white. Varying colors of blue ocean and blue sky with white clouds and white foamy capped waves. The sunsets often blessed us with other colors of orange and yellow and if you were lucky enough to have the sunrise watch you would often see fire red erupting out of the sea and sky. The old saying: "Red sky at night, sailor's delight--red sky at morning, sailor's take warning"---what the hell does that mean????
This first picture is sunset:

This one is a sunrise:

The sunsets, sunrises, star-filled nights--nothing but water and sky. There are no hard edges or boundaries out here on the Big Blue. Only expansion and spaciousness which we trust and believe created more space and expansion of Spirit within us…more than we will ever know. How could it not?
The last night of our journey the waves flowing by us as we sailed toward land had the magic photo-luninesence sparkles in it. All night long, sparkly lights in the water welcoming us to the Caribbean. And it was finally a calm night at sea.
And then "Land Ahoy"!!! The island of St Martin coming closer and closer.

It was a fast journey as crossings go--due to the high winds and waves moving us forward. But as always on Yemaya, "time" is a mystery and "timelessness" prevails. Days flowing into nights, back to days….effortlessly. Sometimes feeling like forever and sometimes like just a moment. The mystery of time flowing like endless waves of blue, blue ocean.
EcstaSea continued to show up in all of her elegance in spite of some injuries. A strong, graceful Lady sailing in all of her power and glory through Yemaya. To her once again we say "Thank you".

Mariusz with St Martin in the background:

Xavier declaring Victory!!!

Captain and first mate with a happy "thumbs-up"!!!!!!!

The journey was a rich experience -- one we are glad to have made. We are happy within ourselves, happy for the learnings and happy to be right here, right now….in the warm turquoise waters of the Caribbean. Now bring on the lazy anchor out days and keep the rum punch flowing! Here's a toast to EcstaSea and her thankful voyagers safe and happy in the blue, blue waters of the Caribbean!!!!!!

Happy New Year and Happy Birthday to the Captain

We left Gibraltar on the last day of 2013, New Years Eve, and more importantly the Captain's Birthday!!! Richard has always said that the whole world celebrates his birthday with fireworks, music,  dancing and great rowdiness, without even knowing it. And we so appreciated everyones celebration as we were limited in how we could celebrate New Years Eve and his Birthday this year. But we did the best we could as we left in cold, windy and somewhat rough seas. I made his favorite brownies and black cherry jello with whip cream. And for those of you "Breaking Bad" fans, you will understand his new t-shirt.
Leaving Gibraltar with a thumbs up on his birthday with the Rock behind him:

All decked out in our tundra wear--Brrr, it was cold:

But we are together and happy to be moving on to the Canaries:

New T-shirt:

And Mother Nature and Brother Sun celebrated with us by giving us a spectacular sunset as their gift for his birthday:

New Years Day 2014 greeted us with warmer weather. We are heading south along the coast of Africa to the Canary Islands so every day will be warmer and warmer---Yeah!!!

I decided to start my day and New Year with a shot of Baileys Irish Cream in my coffee. Sometimes a girl just has to do what a girl has to do….

And the sea puppies (dolphins) came to play with us and the Boys headed up to the bow to whoop and holler and encourage them along:

And another brilliant sunset for the first day of the year. We never tire of our sunset ritual of thanking the sun for another day of shining for us:

On January 4th we arrived on the island of Tenerife of the Canaries:

The Canary Islands are a group of 7 volcanic islands just off of the coast of Africa. It is warm and most of Europe uses it as a winter getaway, much as America does with the Hawaiian Islands. We arrived at the port in the town of Santa Cruz or Saint Cross. It's a beautiful little town and all decked out still from the Christmas holidays:

You can see in the background the tower with a lit up cross (for Saint Cross) behind the fountain pool:

After 6 years in the Med we finally found a real baked potato in a little cart along the side of the street. You could add all kind of goodies to it and we did…Yum!

The second night here there was a big festival called "The Three Kings". It is the finale of the Christmas Season and is the story of the 3 Kings who brought presents to Jesus. It was a parade with oxen pulling carts of people dressed in robes holding owls, belly dancers, sheep and goats being herded down the street, and camels carrying the 3 Kings. Pretty wild!! One king was white and looked like Santa Claus, one looked Moorish and the last was a black man. With our limited language skills it was somewhat confusing but very colorful and great fun. The Kings dismounted from the camels and were led into the town square where they sat on thrones and received all of the little children--somewhat like sitting on Santa"s lap and asking for presents.

Xavier arrived Sunday evening to complete our crew--Captain Richard, 1st (and only mate) Willow, Mariusz and Xavier.

As always, we are subject to Mother Nature, and so have been delayed for a week here in Tenerife. So we have taken advantage of getting used to 4 people on the boat and finishing last minute preparations for the crossing--such as engine tune-ups and provisioning. We rented a car for a couple of days and went sightseeing around the island. We drove to the top of the mountain intending to go to the volcano but the roads were closed halfway up due to snow. The peak is over 9000 ft high and we were able to get a good look at it through the tree tops. 

  The Captain and crew: Xavier and Mariusz...

So far we have enjoyed our journey and intend to continue so. EcstaSea is ready and so are we--physically, emotionally and spiritually. We intend to flow in the ease band and live in harmony with Yemaya and one another. So tomorrow we will sail away across the big blue Atlantic and arrive in 2-3 weeks in the Caribbean.

Sailing, sailing away…..