Our first day aboard Kora with our new crew began with a shimmering sendoff – the sea so calm that it stretched out like a smooth sheet of glass as we slipped away from Civitavecchia. While still seas are definitely not ideal for sailing, the one positive was that the stillness made for an easy introduction to boat life: 55 nautical miles, over 10 hours on the water (yes – we threw a particularly long day at them on day one!!!) and not a single case of seasickness! Victory!!!
But this wasn’t just a floating nap session. At midday, the wind picked up just enough to let us unfurl the gennaker and kill the engines. Suddenly, the hum of motors was replaced with the soft swoosh of sail and sea. It was magic!
We passed the hours with safety briefings, knot-tying lessons (some more successful than others…), card games, lookout shifts up top, and, of course, a few well-earned naps.
As Nettuno came into view, we prepared our new crew for a classic Mediterranean mooring… only to discover at the very last minute that a simpler T-dock spot had been assigned to us. With barely a beat skipped, we pivoted and handled it like a seasoned crew. (High-fives all around!)
The heat, however, was next level. So after a quick pow-wow, we ditched the idea of staying in port two nights and made a new plan: we’d head to the Pontine Islands a day early for a chance to anchor, swim, and cool off like sea creatures.
But first – essentials. A rapid grocery dash, then a stroll through Nettuno’s quaint little medieval quarter overlooking the water. Dinner was alfresco and delicious, followed, naturally, by gelatos all around.
Back on Kora, the night wound down with face masks, laughter, and the first real sense that this journey was going to be something special.
Our first lesson in sailing? Plans are never set in stone. Sometimes they change with the winds, and sometimes … with the sun beating down and the sea calling … they change because you’re desperate to dive into turquoise water. Flexibility, we quickly learned, isn’t just useful at sea, it’s essential. And honestly? Changing course never felt so right.
