We have loved our time in South Africa doing the motorcycle/sailing/golfing/wine-country/dining/tourist tour of the country. We spent Christmas in Franschhoek with friends in the manor house at the Rickety Bridge Winery. We played golf at some fabulous golf courses and some not so fabulous. We ate and ATE AND ATE AND ATE between Christmas and …
Author: Matilda
Farewell Indian Ocean
Matilda and crew have made it to Cape Town. We officially crossed from the Indian Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean at 0630, December 15th rounding Cape Agulhas, the southern-most point on the continent of Africa. Official readout There was no big fanfare, no change in watercolor or current or swell, no tollbooth or passport control, …
South Africa on a Motorcycle
Since arriving in South Africa we have been exploring this beautiful country. We rented a car in Durban and discovered some great golf courses. We were enthusiastically welcomed onto these amazing golf courses by the locals who were quite impressed by us sailing all the way to their country on our sailboat. It gave us …
South Africa
At 0600 on November 11th Matilda pulled into the Zululand Marina, Richards Bay receiving a warm champagne-welcome from fellow ARC boats and marina staff. The ordeal was over and we had made it across the entire Indian Ocean. We were exhausted and elated. Zululand Marina offered us a welcome haven from the ocean. No sooner …
To ARC or not to ARC
There are certain advantages and disadvantages to sailing around the world with a rally versus going it alone. Advantages: The best thing about the ARC is the camaraderie. Sharing an adventure like this leads to close bonding among the participants. We have made what I am sure will prove to be life long friends. There …
Just “Out of Africa”
The mood on Matilda is exuberant and joyful (maybe those mean the same thing). We have almost completed crossing the Indian Ocean. This crossing had the reputation of being the hardest and most difficult and it exceeded expectations. We had an onslaught of wind and swell for 8 straight days with a brief respite for …
We’re Underway and south of Madagascar
Matilda departed last Thursday only 24 hours after the scheduled start and we are south of Madagascar already. We are 465 miles from Reunion Island, where we started, with 909 miles to go to Richards Bay, South Africa. The dreaded Mozambique Channel is looming in front of us with the Agulhas Current. Approaching southern Madagascar …
Leg 14 To Go or not to Go
We are in La Reunion Island, a self-described “French Gem” in the southern Indian Ocean. Piton de la Fournaise - a shield volcano We were scheduled to depart at 10:00 today on the final leg of the Indian Ocean crossing to Richards Bay, South Africa. Having known since the start of this circumnavigation that this …
Almost There
We left Cocos two very long weeks ago and will hopefully arrive in Mauritius in 36 hours. This has been a tough trip with every type of wind and swell condition thrown our way. The food situation has become so boring that Matt just decided not to eat. The last of the eggs were past …
Cocos -Keeling Island
Cocos has lived-up to its reputation of having the most beautiful beaches in the world. This remote and stunning archipelago in the South Indian Ocean has been a favorite stop for all of the ARC boats. Matilda at anchor in Direction Island anchorage There could be many reasons for us favoring it so much not …
Sailboat Matilda 