Hi folks. This blog is in a different format. Mike has written this blog after a reality check from the cyclone that devastated Bangladesh.
The past month has been a bit of a blur. I was away working on the mega yacht for 3 weeks while Mike single handed through the Grenadines and up to St. Lucia enjoying some close hauled sails some of which in 20-25 knots of wind. He has been having a blast in my absence, but insists that he would hate to be a solo cruiser as he missed me..hmmm! I on the other hand was busy.
My new favorite phrase is “Mike…someone has to work so you can enjoy this type of lifestyle”…it’s a good one, huh! We took the big boat from St. Lucia to Fort Lauderdale, having a 2 day charter for Thanksgiving in Eleuthra, Bahamas. I am now preparing to leave tomorrow for another 3 weeks in Abacos, Bahamas for another charter. Mike will keep busy as well while I’m gone, being skipper on a catamaran visiting the Grenadines for 6 days and a couple of other odd jobs. Life is busy at the moment, but we’re enjoying being busy in St. Lucia.Once I return we’ll be on the go getting Meggie ready for Antigua and hopefully visiting with some friends.
Anyway…here is Mike with his first blog and we’ll be in touch after the new year. We want to wish everyone a very merry Christmas and all the best in the new year.On Friday November 15th, 2007 a tropical cyclone slammed into Bangladesh. Storm surge of 16 feet tall pushed along by 130 knots (250 km/hour) winds swept the streets, which are only 15 feet above sea level. I need not describe the aftermath, other than some 30 thousand people lost all that was dear to them if not their lives. Events such as this one hit close to home for me as all we have apart from each other, friends and family is our little boat Meggie, which at times like this makes us very aware of the forces of mother nature.
In addition to Kylie’s entry about our brush with hurricane season, we will always remember Felix reaching Category 1 status. This was just one more lesson we have learned and overcome out here. That is of course when mother nature or respectfully mother ocean wants to show her fury, her power or to prove who is really master out here. No man, woman, army or government can stop her.
Now…for the most part, life aboard Meggie for us has been absolute bliss. At times magical and at times stressful. These islands and waters are a privilege to spend time in, however it wasn’t for free. Against headwinds and seas we earned every mile to get here. And once again in doing so gained a real respect for the ocean along with ourselves and our boat. Certainly living and cruising for nearly a year and a half has changed the way we view life and what is important in the world and also the people within it. We have met so many beautiful and interesting people, I have lost count. Not just cruisers but people who live life completely different from how we live in the western world. During our 4 months in Grenada we learned how money, cars and houses just don’t mean much. Time spent with friends and family, peace and respect mean the most. My good friend Davis age 24,
talented carpenter for instance, buys all the food for his family, works eight hours a day, has a 1 hour bus ride to and from work and also raises pigs and crops at home. He, always has a smile on his face! All of the friends we made in Grenada tell us the stories about the devastation of hurricanes Ivan and Emily and how they effectedtheir lives. All the leaves off trees gone, trees down, houses blown away and no power, an entire yard of cruising boats destroyed, most of whom had little or no insurance.
But, the people came together in a time of devastation to help one another and to rebuild their beautiful country.In Grenada the look on an old mans face is not one of old age, but of a slow paced lifestyle with simple pleasures and few daily stresses. I believe that in the great quest for progression and development in parts of the world, a lot can be said for simplicity and quality in one’s life. Slow down or speed up…enjoy it, be healthy and don’t let life slip by.
As for us we intend to keep on sailing. We want to see the western Caribbean after the Antigua classic regatta in April…of course Meggie will be looking her best for this event, as will her crew of Kylie, myself accompanied by Paul and Leanne Sandiford. Good times, no doubt. End of April, beginning of May, we intend to do a longer passage from Antigua to somewhere on the southern shore, perhaps Venezuela, Bonaire or Curacao stopping briefly and then carry on to Columbia or Panama where we intend to spend next hurricane season. Two things are for sure…great sailing and a whole new adventure. We are very well prepared both for sailing and for hard core anchoring for a major blow. The Caribbean is not without its risks, but is it worth it? Absolutely!
So until next time,
Mike and Kylie
