OUR LIFE ON THE WATER

OUR LIFE ON THE WATER

 

We have been living on a yacht the size of our livingroom back home for 7 months now. I have not driven a car, used my cellphone, watched television nor slept on a bed that doesn't move for all this time. I have not been to a hairdresser, painted my nails nor had a hot bath for all this time. Our bedroom is the size of a postage stamp, our shower is cramped, mostly cold and we live outdoors all day. My kitchen is limited to a two plate gas stove, a tiny fridge and sink and my groceries are packed into a cupboard under the cushions in the saloon.

We're living in a strange new world!

Time is irrelevant. When we're tired we sleep, no matter what time of day it is, we wake up when we're ready for the day. We don't have a schedule, and if we do, it can change in a whim. There is no rush, we have no real timelines or deadlines.

 

Our lives have become greener and less toxic......we collect rainwater, we use natural products for washing and cleaning and we're ridiculously aware of what goes into the ocean. It still amazes me that we use the sun for energy and the wind for power and that we are completely self sufficient and comfortable as we sail around these oceans. The most important commodities on the boat are water, diesel, gas, ice....and Internet. All of these are crucial to our survival out here and we have to consider their availabilty as we move along, so we can't just disappear into the sunset forever.

 

We take local taxi's or walk to the grocery store. We can't buy too much at once so we buy fresh goods and eat simple, healthy meals. Many happy hours are spent in the galley (with a glass of wine), we make our own bread, muesli, hummus etc, and have the time to experiment with the local produce. We spend a lot of time ambling through local food stores and markets, finding substitutes for our favourite recipies and discovering new unusual foods. The whole family shops together, we all have a say about what goes into the trolley.

 

We have an adventure just about every day, whether it's finding an unexpected waterfall in the forest, an encounter with dolphins, a nailbiting taxi ride to the market or having to run around and source parts for the boat. We explore each island we visit and have come across the most amazing places purely by taking a walk. We never know where we're going to end up or who we will meet along the way. Some adventures are good, some not so good, but non the less, always leave us with a story to tell!

We meet amazing people. We have been blown away by the kindness and generosity of the people we have met. From the French lady at a sidewalk cafe who gave us Coke and ice, to the local Dominican lady who gave us fruit, to the Puerto Rican lady who brought me travel magazines and so many more. Language and culture have no boundaries, people around these islands have restored our faith in humanity. The cruisers we have met in the anchorages are great and are always ready for a chat and a helping hand and the promise to meet up further along the island chain. There is a special bond when South Africans get together, we are a long way from home, we have a good laugh and a beer and more often than not, a good 'ol braai!

We feel safe. Coming from South Africa, it has been incredible to have no fear when walking alone, along quiet paths in the forest or in the streets, even after dark at night. Michaela and I have walked many miles through unknown neighbourhoods and dense forests and not once have we felt we need to watch our backs.

We work really hard, nothing is easy. There is always something to be done on the boat, we clean, we scrub, we wash clothes, we're always fixing something, there is constant upkeep. We traipse around town in the heat, with heavy parcels and lug them onto a waiting dinghy and try to keep them from getting wet. We get caught in the rain, we walk until our legs ache. Nothing comes easy, normal everyday things we take for granted back home are an effort. We have left behind nanny's, gardeners, cars, family and a very comfortable home in a leafy suburb. We sometimes wonder what on earth we were thinking when we decided to give all that up!!!

 

But our thinking does change.....when we sip that cold Pinot Noir at sunset or have our cup of coffee on the deck in the warm first light of day, when we swim off the boat and dive in beautiful coral gardens, when the sails are full and we glide silently through luminous turquoise waters or when we discover a powdery white beach.....all to ourselves. We have magical moments that cannot be put into words or captured on camera, this experience has changed something within all of us.

We so love our floating home and traveling with our world of belongings around us. There's no need to pack bags or worry that we've left something behind, we simply float around the islands in our little house and go wherever we desire. We just point our bow in the right direction, trim our sails and away we go.......

 

 

 

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