Land-lubbers Before Becoming Sailors…

The Trigger Moment

Ten days after the rainy Saturday in April 2012 that we had chosen to say, “I do”, we set off for ten days in Tahiti! Discovering these islands on the other side of the world was more than enchanting - it was a revelation! This trip, hopping between the different islands, turned everything upside down. We were literally swept away by the call of the open sea, the exoticism, the sun, the boats moored in lagoons of infinite blue... Beyond the picture-postcard scenery, it was an invitation to another life – the real one?
Ten days go by very quickly. Before we knew it, we were back in France, back to normal life, and it was brutal!
Crowded public transport, traffic jams at every traffic light and roundabout, gray and closed faces: the stress of this life was palpable at every moment. It was all a far cry from the gentle and peaceful life of the lagoons.
Everything seemed so dull, so gray... was this really what life was all about? Should we accept our fate and carry on like this? Wait until retirement to discover the wonders of our world? Is it really wise to put all this off until “later”? What if “later” never comes? These questions rattled around my brain.
A few weeks later, fate intervened and struck where it hurt: the sudden death of a loved one, recently retired. He had planned everything... except the unpredictable.
It resonated within me like a cry from the soul: live now, not in 20 or 30 years!

A Slightly Crazy Idea

While searching for a solution to radically change the course of our life together, an idea crossed my mind: “What if we bought some land in Moorea, in French Polynesia?”
Aurélia’s immediate and blunt reaction: “Forget it, I don’t want to run a bed and breakfast.”
Okay, message received.
But a few days later, I tried again: “What if we went on a round-the-world trip... by boat?”
To be honest, I thought I would be rebuffed, but Aurélia replied: “Yes, why not, but with the family!” The only thing was, we had never set foot on a sailboat, our savings had been somewhat depleted by the wedding (and particularly the honeymoon), and to top it all off, we didn’t have any children yet... But no matter, the first step had been taken!
To start with, I had to test my sea legs, because if the self-proclaimed Captain was going to feel seasick at the first sign of waves, the dream would quickly turn sour.
A two-week sailing course in Brittany in February would soon reveal the answer.
Polar weather, rough seas and icy spray, all on a small 36-foot monohull: this was my first sailing experience. Although the sea didn’t go easy on me, I loved it! No seasickness, no regrets and, above all, the project was approved!
On my return to Alsace, my account of my days on the water to Aurélia added one condition to the departure: setting sail, yes, but it would have to be on a catamaran; she was clearly not tempted by the idea of heeling!
The second step was to get a boat license. Luckily, there was a sailing club near our home ...