Atlantic Crossing Part Two

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 Sad to leave St Helena Island but eager to continue the big ocean crossing and experience the trade winds, we headed west sailing into the sunset.  The trade wind latitudes have a gentle steady wind, usually 15 knots with occasional gusts of up to 25 knots.  The wind was mostly behind us so we sailed goosewing;  Genoa on one side and the Mizzen on the other.  This was surprisingly uncomfortable with the boat keeling from side to side every two seconds.  But I think the boat looked beautiful, white sails stretched out like wings!

The days and nights were mostly cloudy.  All alone in our small boat in the big blue ocean with absolutely nothing else in sight nor on the AIS.  When the clouds finally broke towards the end of the journey the night sky was magnificent and sitting outside on my watch I could chase the stars.

This trip took 19 days.  It was physically exhausting.  The broken sleep as we did four hour watches; the  continuous keeling from side to side meant we had to hold on all the time even while sitting, preferably four points of contact.  A tail would have been very useful while trying to make something to eat or drink.

It was so exciting to see a glow in the horizon the night before we reached land;  it was the city of Salvador.  All through the night we could see the lights grow and become discernible.  We were outside the bay at dawn.  There were a few ships waiting or going in.  Inside the Baia de Todos os Santos life was bustling with early bird Brazilians including a few kayakers paddling along the shore.  We headed for Terminau Nautico just a few miles in and berthed stern to with some help.  It was Sunday in Salvador and a busy lively day.  Bom dia.

Sailing into the sunset


Beautiful dawn


Enjoying our one cup of coffee a day

View of Terminau Nautico, zoom in to see Betwixt!



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