Brava - die Tapfere

After two days with little wind we have now arrived at our last port before the crossing: Furna on the island Brava, the smallest inhabited one of the Cabo Verde Archipelago.

We will only stay for one day and make some more provisions of fresh fruit, vegetables and water. Next expected destination is Barbados where we hope to call in 16 days (the optimist version).

Still on Sal

Yesterday evening, just before leaving the island, we met a friend from Germany, who is here on holydays. Then, in the early morning hours we woke up because heavy swell was rolling into the bay. Quickly we put sails, pulled up the anchor and left. But unfortunately we found out that neither of our 2 GPS did work, so we had to turn around, find a somewhat better anchorage and try to solve this problem. On this island there is no shipchandler, so we possibly have to stay here for a while....

Ilhas Cabo Verde - Sal - Palmeira

We arrived on Sal on Saturday 20 January. The local people are very friendly and helpful and we are very happy that this time we did not miss this archipelago. We plan stay for a couple of days and hopelfully meet a friend from Germany. Then we will continue westwards.

El Hierro

On Tuesday we arrived in La Restinga, the southern- and westernmost port of the Canaries. We are moored to the quay. A couple of tyres and some rubber fenders at the quayside make this possible in spite of some swell. Civilization as we know it is disappearing gradually. The harbour does not offer any electricity nor water let alone showers.

The island itself is yet pretty unspoiled by tourism. On our first excursion we have witnessed beautiful landscape and dramatic coastlines. Only some 8000 people inhabit El Hierro. However, German and other alternatives tourists seem to be discovering the spot and a lot of new buildings must have been built in recent years.

Yesterday night a boat full of refugees arrived while we were asleep. Apparently 200 people of unknown origin made it to the destination of their dreams on the blue boat in the background ot the photograph. Maybe we should seriously consider to support the development of their home countries more effectively. If people risk their lives on boats like that, there must be something terribly wrong.

We plan to stay here until Sunday and then to move further south.

Gomera

We are still in San Sebastian de Gomera, maintaining the Prince, hiking in the mountains and just enjoying life on board and in the harbour in general.
By the way, we are on “Skype” now, so if you are interested in talking to us on the phone, just give us your Skypename and we might talk for free. I think our name is Prins.Henrik (or Rainer & Jochen?), something like that...

From Las Palmas to Gomera

Well, we did not make it on the 31st but stayed until New Years in Las Palmas. Then early in the morning we left with strong easterly winds. After a stopover in Puerto de las Nieves we have today arrived in San Sebastion de la Gomera. On the picture with Jochen you can spot the lighthouse of San Sebastian. On the picture with Rainer you can amongst others see the remainders of our paraffin cooker (works well again). To be continued.