Exuma’s Cays
Bahama’s The Exuma Cays (pronounced “keys”) are a chain of more than 300 islands stretching over...
Lagos, Portugal
We sailed across the Atlantic Ocean, the wrong way! We knew the sailing would be difficult, and that joining a rally wouldn’t change that. But we felt that sailing the passages with other boats would give us comfort, even though we probably would never see the other boats after one night out.
We joined the ARC Europe rally for the social aspects. It turned out to be much more than we expected. You can’t image how good it feels to arrive in Horta after 11 days at sea and see familiar faces there to catch lines and help guide you in.
Underway, we were much closer than we ever thought we would be. AIS (Automated Identification System) helps with this as you can see the positions of other boats on AIS when you can’t see them with your eyes. We passed within a mile of boats we knew; over a thousand miles after we last saw each other.
On shore, we had a great time. We started in Bermuda knowing one boat, Splendido, and by the end of the rally we had many new friends from all over the world. We spent every day on land with other rally participants sharing stories and gleaning any information we could about where to go, and not go, next. Most of the participants where European and have experience sailing the areas we plan to criuse for the next few years, so their insight was very helpful.
While in the Azores, there were ARC events most days and most nights. Happy hours, BBQs, island tours, prize giving ceremonies, or just parties on one of the boats.
The ARC rally guys (Lyall, Nick, Rob and Andrew), made everything so easy. Entering and exiting ports was simple. Any question was fair game. And they brought a sense of fun to every event, from Nick arranging the ARC Europe wall painting in Horta, to Lyall running with the bulls in Angra, to Rob almost running us over with Splendido in route to Ponta Delgada. The pictures are amazing and we will have great memories and friendships for years to come.
Thank you World Cruising Club
Previous Comments
Irene Smith
Sounds like another successful rally under your “sailor’s” belt – well done – so glad it all went off without a hitch. Now all you have to do is enjoy! (and take lots of pictures!)