A superb anchorage for Kabaal has been found near the fortress of Kerkyra, Corfu’s main town. Leaving the dinghy in a corner of the small marina we climb the steep and imposing walls of the fortress to enter the sea gate. After crossing the inside of the fortifications we exit the fort through the much… Continue reading 51 Breezing the Ionian sea
50 Malta to Greece
After saying goodbye to Hans and Karen other sailing friends embark in Marina di Ragusa. Peter and Corine are joining us on Kabaal for another trip to the fascinating islands of Malta. Our anchor drops in the perfectly round and well protected Qala tad Dwejra on Gozo, populated this time by many large jellyfish. Swimming… Continue reading 50 Malta to Greece
49 A sicilian september
In august we were in Holland to witness the wedding of our son Marius. The official part of this festive happening took place in their residence , the city of Leiden.Meanwhile our Kabaal was being pampered in Riposto where the hull was repaired and polished and the underwater part was painted. In italy we could… Continue reading 49 A sicilian september
48 Malta Marvels
One of the nicest things of being a sea nomad is encountering fellow sailors. In Marina di Ragusa we meet Kobi and Joost and their lovely catamaran “Puchi”. Together we are heading to Malta to explore new horizons. In Dwejra bay we find a spectacular anchor spot well protected by a massive rock in the… Continue reading 48 Malta Marvels
47 Sicily’s south Coast – ancient wonders and azure waters
We continue our “Giro di Sicilia”, Kabaal sails anti clockwise around this incredible island. In Marsala we run into the Florio family again. The book, the lions of Sicily, describes how this family came to Sicily and became very wealthy by means of the trade in tuna and Marsala wine. In the city of Marsala… Continue reading 47 Sicily’s south Coast – ancient wonders and azure waters
46 Sicily, going west, going wild
After the city of Palermo and its full and busy streets and markets we enjoy the quiet anchor spots at la Tonnara di Scopello and the nature reserve of Zingaro. During daytime a great many small boats join us for lunch and a swim but soon it gets all quiet again and by the end… Continue reading 46 Sicily, going west, going wild
45 Landing at Sicily
From the gulf of Naples to Sicily, 17th of May – 1st of June Setting off to leave the bay of Napoli Robert Jan checked the oil in the saildrive and found out that water was getting in from the outside instead of spilling oil from inside which was our last problem. Not good! Again… Continue reading 45 Landing at Sicily
44 Mechanical misery and making the most of it
World famous and a popular holiday destination since the belle epoque; Sorrento is a place we didn’t want to skip. When approached from the gulf of Naples the town looks like a fairytale lying on top of the steep rocks surrounded by lush greenery and spring flowers. These flowers spread a wonderful scent as we… Continue reading 44 Mechanical misery and making the most of it
43 The Bay of Napoli
We entered the bay of Napoli from the North and found a safe anchorage with a view on the picturesque town of Procida. This Island might be not so famous as Ischia and Capri but it was very beautiful. The old town, Terra Murata, has a cloister dating from 1026 and an old castle from… Continue reading 43 The Bay of Napoli
42 Good-bye Sardinia, hello Rome
Our final week at Sardinia and crossing the Tyrrhenian sea to Rome and Ponza
41 Spring adventures in Sardinia
The beginning of our 2023 sailing year was to start with some necessary maintenance. Unfortunately this was not so easy and we went through some trouble to find the critical parts and engineers. When the forecast was a bit better we longed to sail again and decided to go to Porto Rotunda a few miles… Continue reading 41 Spring adventures in Sardinia
40 Giro della Sardegna full circle
It is hard not to repeat my words about the Mediterranean Islands. Every one of them have their specific hues of the blueest of blue in their bays and paired with the colors of the rock formations it makes for an anchoring paradise. Sardegna is an interesting Island, apart from the coastline which we admire… Continue reading 40 Giro della Sardegna full circle
39 Maria’s Sardinian diary
Three days around the Sardinian coast For 3 days I was able to join Bob and Aleid on board of the Kabaal, and sail around the southern coast of Sardinia (Italy). We started in Portoscuso, in the west coast of the island, where I arrived with a bus, and was able to enjoy a good… Continue reading 39 Maria’s Sardinian diary
38 Surprising Sardinia
Cruising from Corsica to Sardinia we found the wild and rocky Maddalena archipelago. A very popular anchorage but as it was low season we found plenty of place to enjoy the serene beauty of pink rocks and azure blue waters. The place is named after the one inhabited island in the archipelago called la Maddalena.… Continue reading 38 Surprising Sardinia
37 Corsica
Corsica is covered in gnarley bushes with tough leatherlike leaves, named maquis. Impenetrable and very strong it served as a hideaway for ages to pirates, vendetta victims and freedom fighters alike. It should come as no surprise that the resistance in the 2nd world war was named Maquis after the tough freedom fighters from Corsica.… Continue reading 37 Corsica