Saturday, 8 April 2023

End of crossing – Happy Passover (and Easter) from Martinique in the Caribbean Islands


The image below shows what our navigation plotter
is telling us …


 


The last sunset of our crossing has just ended. The sun set into the sea from a cloudy sky, lighting the edged of the dark grey clouds with a golden fringe. A sunset at sea is always beautiful. Sometimes clean large and orange, sometimes cloudy, dramatic and beautiful. A large full moon rose together with the sunset, the moon which will be at its fullest in two days, on Passover Eve. These are now the last 100 miles of an Atlantic crossing which was more wonderful than I had expected. The sea and the wind were in our favor, even when the waves reached 3 meters high, Ester glided over the waves . If one des not look back and see the mountain of water behind, it feels like a periodic and unending series of a rollercoaster up-and-down coupled with a soft and gentle sideways roll.


Our first destination in the Caribbean Islands is Martinique, one of several islands which are French territories. We are coordinated with Miguel, our partner in a month of sailing from the Canary Islands to Cape Verde and between the Cape Verdean Islands. Miguel left on a crossing 10 days before us, and arrived two days ago. We hope that he will greet us on the pier at Martinique.


I do not know how to sum up this Crossing experience. It lasted exactly two weeks in which life was ruled by sunrises, sunsets, wind and waves. We handled challenges - no crossing can be without challenges … gourmet cooking challenges in a swinging boat, uncomfortable sleeping by turn, in watches. Our crew was the best I could imagine. We had a harmonious atmosphere of two older parents and a world-conquering son as an equal and sometimes better-than-equal crew member. I am very happy and grateful that I could fulfil this dream and complete another chapter in our journey.


In the name of the Ester crew, descendants of Caribbean pirates, I wish you a Happy Passover.


 


Now for some pictures of the voyage:


Leaving Cape Verde




Roni’s Version

 


Two abridged video clips 



A plotter image upon leaving Cape Verde



We try, again, to fix our watermaker. This time we have with us a professional submarine mechanic

 



We also had a fisherman, who caught two large Doradas, which provided meals over eight days. On the right is one of the large Doradas, on the left is a fish which shall remain nameless.


 Celebrating mid-crossing.


Before jumping into the ocean for a makeshift “shower”, wearing all the safety required to stay safe, and somewhat modest


Raising a gin toast and finishing a bottle bought in the Azores Islands.



 Some sail work.

 



Tomer in a typical pose.

 


A carpet of algae on the last day.

 


Now that we have arrived, Tomer raises the local flag. 
Oops – have we reached France?


 


Happy Passover and Easter from Ester๐Ÿ˜€๐Ÿฅ‚




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End of crossing – Happy Passover (and Easter) from Martinique in the Caribbean Islands

The image below shows what our navigation plotter is telling us …   The last sunset of our crossing has just ended. The sun set into the se...