If med mooring were an Olympic sport, Doug just took gold!🏅Sliding Kora into a tight slip in the sparkling Port Vauban. Entering the tightly packed marina we were surrounded by multi-million-dollar mega yachts, but Doug navigated the narrow fairways like a seasoned pro. One wrong move, and we’d be writing checks for more than our boat is worth. But with a little dual-engine magic and Kate heroically launching a big ball fender just in time to save our starboard stern as a gust pushed us sideways, we nestled perfectly between two friendly neighbors. In “the sticks” of the marina, of course, where boats range from a modest €300K to a mere €1.5 million… while the real mega-yachts (read: €100 million+) sparkle at the far end like floating palaces.
The next day we hopped a quick 15-minute train to Cannes and hit the town like festival-goers (minus the red carpet selfie). We strolled the iconic Croisette, soaking in sea views, posh boutiques, and the glitz of Riviera life.
Then up into Le Suquet, Cannes’ old town, where we wandered cobbled streets and paused for spritzers and cheese (as one must). A cozy Italian dinner followed, complete with wood-fired pizzas and the freshest mozzarella imaginable. The French may be famous for wine and pastries, but trust us, their pizza game is strong!
At the top of Suquet Hill, we took in the golden-hour views over the bay.
June 9 started early with us cheering from the deck as the Volleyroos scored a big win over India at the AVC Nations Cup – go Aussies! Kora flew the flag proudly, even as we said a heartfelt goodbye to Kate, who headed home after a heroic stretch as crew.
The rest of the morning and early afternoon was filled with classic boat life: scrubbing decks, laundry, a quick grocery run, and a dash of exercise to balance out the cheese and wine. But the real gem came afterward: Old Town Antibes in the early evening. With the cruise ships gone, a calm settled over this medieval town and it was such a pleasure to explore. We wandered the alleyways, admired the pastel shutters and flowering vines, listened to live music on the streets, and breathed in the scent of Provençal dishes wafting from the local restaurants. We climbed the ramparts and looked out over the sea, soaking in the views and enjoying the soft sea breezes.
– everyone’s chasing the same horizon.
We ended the night with a lively dinner in a bustling square of medieval Antibes – music in the air, voices echoing off the stone walls – though it wasn’t quite complete without our fourth crewmate at the table. Then one last sunset in Antibes.
