As we set sail on our final passage from Barcelona to Marseille, the emotions were a mix of excitement, nostalgia, and a deep sense of accomplishment. It’s hard to believe that the first season aboard Kora has almost come to an end, and what a journey it has been! From the joy of sharing adventures with our sailing buddies — Amanda, Evan, Buzz, Kate, Sophie, and Steve, to the thrill of our first solo sail — every moment has been unforgettable.
(June 22)
This last leg of our trip was a long, 35-hour journey covering 168 nautical miles with just the two of us. The familiar sight of stunning cliffs and endless ocean was our backdrop as we took turns at the helm throughout the night, seamlessly managing the journey together. The moon’s reflection on the water was mesmerizing, and the sight of meteor showers lighting up the sky felt like a grand finale to our season.
eastern coast provided a rugged embrace of land and sea
sun slipped away
dancing on the water
We couldn’t help but reminisce about the close encounters with marine life that have made this trip so special. We spotted distant whales and dolphins during our final sail, reminding us of how grateful we were that the orcas stayed away this season, though we wished for a closer dolphin encounter like the one on our second night with Amanda & Evan while crossing the Bay of Biscay. We also saw several large smacks of jellyfish and an occasional stingray closer to the shore.
Our fishing attempts were, unfortunately, more about the thrill of the chase than the catch, with the only success being that memorable day on June 2nd (our 1st of 40 legs at sea) when Evan caught a horse mackerel and then prepared us all ceviche.
As dawn broke on our final morning on the water, dragonflies and small birds paid us a visit, a sweet reminder of nature’s wonders. We even passed by windmills in the water, an unusual sight that added a touch of surprise to our journey.
while sailing
in golden light
that hitched a ride
solar panels at dawn, bringing a touch of morning magic to the sail
like sentinels, turning the sea
into a surreal landscape
Finally, as we approached Port Napoleon near Marseille, France, Kora’s resting spot for the winter, it hit us — we actually did it!!!
