Final Blog for Summer 2024

9 September

Fire in Palizzi, Italy

In our Ape taxi for a quick tour of Palermo

Summer 2024 Voyage Recap

It has been over a month since my last blog about the summer voyage, and a lot has happened. To wrap up the Summer 2024 blog, I’ll stick to the basics. The three-month voyage was spectacular, and I wouldn’t change a thing—except for slipping into AFIB on the second day of my solo journey. But as with most “bad things,” there’s often a silver lining, and this case was no different.

Atrial Fibrillation (AFIB) is a condition where abnormal electrical impulses suddenly start firing in the atria. These impulses override the heart’s natural pacemaker, which can no longer control the heart’s rhythm, causing a highly irregular pulse. While it isn’t life-threatening, it makes me very tired and lethargic. Adding to the challenge was not having an anchor, which made for a difficult voyage back to Barcelona. The silver lining? Mikel decided to fly out to Corfu to help me on the way back. Thank you, Mikel!

My trip from Zakynthos to Corfu was manageable, with moderate winds and seas. Nothing significant to report, except that it was a long trip, and I was exhausted when I arrived at the D-Marin marina in Corfu. D-Marin marinas are always a pleasure, and it’s great to reserve a berth at one of their facilities. After securing Anna in her berth, I rested until Mikel arrived later that day. We gathered provisions and prepared ourselves for the 37-hour trip across the Ionian Sea to Crotone, Italy. Again, the journey was rather unremarkable, but that’s usually a good thing. Clear skies and dark nights allowed us to see the Milky Way with all its infinite stars.

We arrived in Crotone around 9:30 AM on August 14th and secured Anna in her berth. After washing off the salt water and refilling the 250-gallon drinking water tanks (and using our water maker that produces 100 liters of fresh water per hour from the sea), we explored the city and bought more provisions. Mostly, though, we just rested, knowing we had three more long voyages ahead: first to Palermo, Sicily (37 hours), then to Cagliari, Sardinia (32 hours), and finally to Barcelona (48 hours).

We left Crotone at 7:45 AM for the 34-hour leg to Palermo, Sicily. The overnight voyage to Palermo was smooth, with excellent weather and sea conditions. At one point, we could even see Mount Etna bubbling with lava as we passed by during the night—quite dramatic! Unfortunately, I couldn’t capture a good photo of it. However, we did manage to take a picture of a fire blazing in the distance in Palizzi, Italy.

Arriving at SitiMar marina in Palermo, one of our favorite marinas on this journey, we were pleased to see the changes since our last visit a few years ago. The previously ongoing construction is now complete, with fantastic restaurants and a boutique market to enjoy. We took a private tour to get more acquainted with Palermo, visiting the Duomo in the mountains and the beach town of Mondello. We were initially set to have lunch at a seafood restaurant but decided to switch when we sat for 20 minutes without service. The next restaurant was a great choice—not only because of the good food and service but also because we met a friendly couple from Luxembourg (like us), with one originally from Barcelona, and another group from Germany. It turned into an unexpected, delightful conversation.

During our stay in Palermo, the sinking of the Bayesian luxury motor yacht occurred just outside the marina. We were all shocked and saddened by the tragedy. The weather was rough, and on August 21st, we tried to leave but decided to turn back after two hours due to the storm. This same storm appears to have caused the freak accident that sank the Bayesian.

The overnight crossing from Palermo to the Marina di Teulada on the southern tip of Sardinia was pleasant. Teulada is a charming destination, known for its pristine coastline, secluded beaches, and crystal-clear waters. The marina itself is very well-maintained and offers great amenities, making it an ideal spot to rest and wait out bad weather. The surrounding area has a rugged beauty, characterized by limestone cliffs, quiet coves, and an untouched natural landscape. The village of Teulada is also worth a visit, with its traditional Sardinian atmosphere, local crafts, and authentic cuisine. We decided to stay here for four nights, taking advantage of the calm marina and waiting for better weather north of us before embarking on the two-day crossing directly to Barcelona, our current home port.

The trip from Teulada to Barcelona was the second-longest leg of the summer. Forty-eight hours is a long time for just two people to keep watch and ensure everything, including ourselves, is running smoothly. But we made it, arriving at Marina Vela around 1:30 PM.

Barcelona was bustling with excitement because of the America’s Cup, the prestigious sailing race known for its rich history and fierce competition. The city was alive with maritime buzz, and we were fortunate enough to see the Britannia racing yacht practicing maneuvers. It was quite a thrilling sight as it sailed towards us off our port beam before sharply veering to pass behind us at the last moment—quite the adrenaline rush! The America’s Cup teams often practice these maneuvers close to other boats, adding an element of spectacle for those nearby. The event itself brings a vibrant atmosphere to the city, drawing in sailing enthusiasts from around the world and turning the harbor into a spectacle of speed, strategy, and cutting-edge yacht design.

It was great to return to Marina Vela and have Anna securely berthed again. We spent the weekend resting and enjoying some good meals, then flew back to Luxembourg a week ago on September 2nd. I’ll be heading back to Barcelona on September 15th to catch more of the America’s Cup and to welcome my brother and nephew later in September when they arrive for a short holiday.