The Further Adventures of Fly Aweigh (II)

Back on a boat after a 10-year working break, we're off on another adventure! This time, with two hulls, no timeline, and no particular agenda. And sometimes, I’ll use this forum for non-sailing adventures.

06 February 2025 | Punta Tosca, Isla Socorro
26 January 2025 | South Anchorage, Isla San Benedicto
18 January 2025 | South of Cabo
10 January 2025
02 January 2025 | La Ventana, Baja California
18 December 2024 | Los Frailes
07 December 2024 | South of Ensenada, México
12 November 2024 | Baja Naval Boat Yard, Ensenada
28 October 2024 | Baja Naval Boat Yard, Ensenada
15 October 2024 | Catalina Island
04 September 2024 | Santa Cruz Island
31 May 2023 | France
24 May 2023 | Tunis Medina, Tunisia
20 May 2023 | Bizerte, Tunisia
18 May 2023 | Carthage
16 May 2023 | Tunis, Tunisia
14 May 2023 | Tunis, Tunisia
05 February 2023 | Barra de Navidad, Mexico
31 January 2023 | Tenacatita, Mexico
29 January 2023 | Ipala, Mexico

Tunisia and the Balearics

14 May 2023 | Tunis, Tunisia
Alison Gabel
One of the things I love about the cruising we've done on sailboats over the last decade + is the people we've met. There's something very unique and interesting about folks who sell all their stuff, or stash everything they own in a 10x20' box and rent out their homes, or who leave their businesses in the hands of trusted others, move onto their boats and go off to sea. To carpe diem while the diem is now. There are as many stories behind these people as there are people, and everyone has a different version of "we want something ... else."

Two of the people we've met and remained friends with for over thirteen years are Michael and Gloria, with whom we sailed across the Pacific in 2010, then shared cars and campers in New Zealand for two months. We sold our boat in Australia and returned to our jobs and "normal" lives in 2011, while Michael and Gloria continued on, ending up in the Mediterranean, where they've had the boat now for the last 8 years. We've had the pleasure of joining them on their boat, Paikea Mist three times in the last decade: in Indonesia, Turkey, and Malta. Each time we grow closer to them and fonder of Paikea Mist, a beautiful blue-hulled Beneteau Custom 50 sailboat that is more loved and cared for than almost any boat I know.

Michael and Gloria have also returned to their jobs and "normal" lives, but spend a few months each year on their boat somewhere in the Med - Greece, Italy, Turkey, Croatia, Malta. Of course, the pandemic kept them away for almost two years, but they're back in the swing of things, and we are now on our way, as I write, to meet them in Tunisia.

Tunisia. I had to Google it. I knew it was in Africa, I knew it was probably somewhere on the north end, but I wasn't completely sure whatwherewhenwhyhow. Wikipedia brought me up to date, and after a bit more research I was convinced: Tunisia is a pretty cool place to go. But my first question was, is it safe? Family in the military and friends in the US government confirmed we should be fine if we avoid the Libyan border and a few other areas tangental to hostile neighbors. We will - we'll only be in the very tip-top of Tunisia, in the capital city of Tunis for a few days, and then a jaunt 100 miles south to meet up with Paikea Mist, on her way from Malta right about now. The plan: sail to the Balearics, those cool islands south of Spain, one of which is my origin: Ibiza, where I was conceived in 1957. Of course, this is sailing - it could all change. Michael and Gloria need to make it to Tunisia. Then, we need a weather window of about 4 days to sail to Menorca, the eastern-most island in the Balaerics. We'll see how it all goes.

Back to Tunis, which includes Carthage. If you're a classical era history buff, you've heard of it; if you're into geography, you surely have. And if you're into the history of early Christianity, you probably know Carthage. It's 10km east of the city of Tunis, and was the center of trade in the Ancient Mediterranean during the Classical era. In its speckled history, it's been occupied by the Romans, the Catholics, the French, and off-and-on, the Muslims. Now, it's a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

In the next few days we look forward to exploring the history of the city, and the remains of Carthage. And after that, we look forward to our sail to the Balearics. Rain is in the forecast, and the overall daytime temperature for the trip looks like the low 70's F, so we have long sleeves and umbrellas and hoodies. Yes, low 70's is COLD to those of us who are temperature wimps.

(As I post this, we've arrived and all is well - will update in a day or two.)



Comments
Vessel Name: Fly Aweigh II
Vessel Make/Model: Seawind 1160 Deluxe
Hailing Port: Channel Islands, California
Crew: Allan and Alison Gabel
About:
Retired airline pilots exploring the world at a slower pace. in 2009 we took two-year leaves of absence from our jobs and sailed across the Pacific on a Catalina Morgan 440, which we sold in Australia so we could go back to work. [...]
Fly Aweigh II's Photos - Main
25 Photos
Created 10 January 2025
From Ensenada to Cabo San Lucas
14 Photos
Created 18 December 2024
Plus a few pics from Thanksgiving!
19 Photos
Created 7 December 2024
Random Pictures from Our First Month
23 Photos
Created 12 November 2024
Our trip to Tunisia to join friends Michael and Gloria on their Beneteau Custom 50 sailboat for a trip to Menorca, Spain. And then - a visit to see my brother Chris and his wife Sophie in France!
71 Photos
Created 9 June 2023
7 Photos
Created 14 January 2023
Pictures of our trip northbound from Cabo San Lucas to Ensenada
9 Photos
Created 19 June 2022
From Santa Rosalia south.
16 Photos
Created 4 June 2022
From Puerto Escondido to Santa Rosalia - May 2022
22 Photos
Created 24 May 2022
7 Photos
Created 13 May 2022
From La Paz to Puerto Escondido in the Sea of Cortez (Gulf of California)
17 Photos
Created 27 April 2022
13 Photos
Created 17 April 2022
14 Photos
Created 25 March 2022
Life in Barra and environs in the month of February.
18 Photos
Created 27 February 2022
9 Photos
Created 17 February 2022
14 Photos
Created 2 February 2022
Week 2 of our time in Ensenada and the Baja Naval Boatyard.
9 Photos
Created 20 December 2021
Our first week in the Baja Naval Boatyard
12 Photos
Created 11 December 2021
The last, last minute things and our final departure for San Diego.
4 Photos
Created 1 December 2021
Stuff we're doing in the prepping-to-go-sailing phase of our lives.
5 Photos
Created 20 November 2021
21 Photos
Created 9 March 2011
22 Photos
Created 9 March 2011
24 Photos
Created 9 March 2011
49 Photos
Created 24 February 2011
30 Photos | 1 Sub-Album
Created 24 February 2011
29 Photos
Created 15 January 2011
51 Photos
Created 15 January 2011
20 Photos
Created 16 October 2010
28 Photos
Created 16 September 2010
20 Photos
Created 31 August 2010
23 Photos
Created 16 August 2010
29 Photos
Created 1 August 2010
21 Photos
Created 8 July 2010
And other things ...
25 Photos
Created 25 June 2010
28 Photos
Created 11 June 2010
34 Photos
Created 21 May 2010
34 Photos
Created 3 May 2010
28 Photos
Created 17 April 2010
39 Photos
Created 19 January 2010
Train trip to Mexico's Copper Canyon in Chihuahua.
11 Photos | 1 Sub-Album
Created 28 December 2009
28 Photos
Created 16 December 2009
Visit with Grant & Phyllis Gabel; Fly Aweigh's Christmas decorations
13 Photos
Created 12 December 2009
15 Photos
Created 7 December 2009
8 Photos
Created 6 December 2009
11 Photos
Created 22 November 2009
The 11-day adventure from San Diego to Cabo San Lucas
12 Photos
Created 7 November 2009
Pre-Ha-Ha days in San Deigo harbor
No Photos
Created 25 October 2009
10 Photos
Created 14 October 2009
Commissioning and Provisioning in Marina del rey
9 Photos
Created 8 September 2009