Raiatea – Huahine
Bahamas
Martinique
Bora Bora
San Blas Islands
Barbuda
Puerto Rico
Caribbean
Fatu Hiva
Bahamas
Barbuda
San Blas Islands
Bahamas
Grenada
Grenada
Galapagos Islands
August 19, 2020 at 17:41
A great collection of photos! I miss getting into the water. Maybe we will get to some warm waters on the coast again some day.
August 22, 2020 at 13:08
Hi Duwan! When I see my own photos, it sure looks enticing and gorgeous. Yet, Mark and I have had no interest in going to the beach this summer, here in New England. There is no shade and dogs are not allowed this time of the year. Plus, it’s probably busy. Nope. We are in work-mode and will enjoy ourselves again later this year. Maybe we can all meet up at a beach in Mexico this winter???
August 19, 2020 at 17:45
Wow, the photos are exceptionally gorgeous, Liesbet! Easy to see why romance is in the air. All of the pictures are stunning, yet a favourite of mine is you and Mark in Martinique. Your smiles and healthy glow make me smile. 🙂 Thank you for sharing some of the beauty on our planet. ❤️
August 22, 2020 at 12:29
Hi Erica! You’re very welcome. I’m glad you liked the snapshots of our previous life. I hope to start posting more snippets, photos, and stories about our sailing life in the near future. It’s an aspect not many of my readers are familiar with, yet it is such a big part of our relationship and past. Have a fantastic weekend!!
August 19, 2020 at 17:51
These photos tell a wonderful story. Thank you for sharing them!
August 22, 2020 at 12:30
You’re so welcome, Donna! While I have my nose into stories with words, it felt nice (and fast) to do so in photos here. 🙂
August 19, 2020 at 18:03
I loved these, Liesbet! Look at the two of you with that dreamy look in your eyes. <3 I might have to use you two as models for my next book cover! LOL! Fantastic photos. Thanks so much for sharing.
August 22, 2020 at 12:32
Oh Jill! You are too kind. I am actually far from photogenic. If I keep my mouth closed, I might have a chance in the right lighting and with the right clothing, but otherwise… That being said, a sailing friend took this sunset photo without our knowledge, way back when. I guess spontaneous photos do come okay out once in a while.
August 19, 2020 at 18:26
I love all of these pictures but especially those with your wonderful dog. He is so happy!
August 22, 2020 at 12:33
Jacqui, our Darwin was such an amazing dog – always happy, pleasing, wagging, well-behaved, up for anything (when we were around), and super cute!
August 19, 2020 at 19:08
Gorgeous pictures. It’s a dream of mine to live somewhere like those islands. Were there any you found that you felt would be a good place to relocate to?
August 22, 2020 at 12:43
Hi JH! Tough question…
Enjoying an island as a visitor is totally different than relocating there. That being said, Costa Rica, Panama, and some of the Caribbean islands are popular and affordable places for expats. The first two are not islands, of course, they just sprung to mind when I thought about expats. My best friend now lives in Grenada. They put roots down after sailing for over a decade.
Mark and I have played with the idea of returning to the Caribbean (we both speak the language there) and settle for a while. Our biggest concern is finding a job, as it’s extremely hard for non-locals to work on the islands. Yet, we could keep working remotely. Also, we fear the atmosphere and experience will be nothing like when we lived there for months on our sailboat. On top of that, it is difficult to “get” things on the islands and attempt somewhat of a comfortable life you’re used to in Western countries. Not that this last point matters to us. My best friend often wishes she could be in my shoes, here in the US, just to go shopping. 🙂
I realize I STILL haven’t answered your question. Yes. I think there are good places in the Caribbean to relocate to. I would choose an island that is big enough to travel around a bit and has a few things going for it, like international flights close by, decent grocery shops, unique local festivals, affordable bars and restaurants, and “easy living”. My choices would be Grenada, St. Martin (which might be a bit too busy), and the USVI. I would only move there for a few years as I hate the idea of being “stuck” anywhere, even on a tropical island paradise. 🙂
August 25, 2020 at 14:40
Thanks for the suggestions, Liesbet! I’ve researched so many of them, but the crime rates and hurricanes always deterred me from them.
August 27, 2020 at 16:08
Understandable. Not sure crime was ever a big issue in the islands of the Eastern Caribbean, but hurricanes are a valid threat. Even in Grenada, which lies on the edge of the hurricane zone. The ABC-Islands (Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao) are a better bet for this. Safe and no hurricanes. We really liked Bonaire. 🙂
August 19, 2020 at 19:18
Hi Liesbet, what gorgeous pictures! The starfish photo has such crystal clear water. Love that. It makes me miss the beach.
August 22, 2020 at 12:46
Lea, it’s kind of interesting, but my husband and I never go to the beach here in New England. We have been so spoiled in the past, that we are snobby about beaches. 🙂 Plus, we need shade and that is often hard to find on US beaches. To be honest, once our dogs passed away while sailing, we were less interested in checking out the beaches. We did like looking at them from our cockpit, though. Yes! The water in the Bahamas is of the clearest we’ve seen anywhere!! I hope you can go to the beach again soon…
August 23, 2020 at 20:41
Liesbet, I do understand completely about the beaches in New England. I was born and raised in CT and spent summers at the beach (Long Island Sound.) I am not traveled like you are but do remember when I first saw the beaches in Florida and they were so clean compared to CT. And that was a long time ago.
August 27, 2020 at 16:00
Hi Lea! There are beaches and then there are BEACHES. 🙂 To me, the color of the sand and that of the water play an important role into my liking them – or into my desire of taking a photo. The absence of buildings and people is mandatory and – the only way we would ever spend any time on a beach – shade is a must. As I said, we are quite picky when it comes to beaches. Oh, ideally, it’s palm trees that provide our shade. 🙂
August 19, 2020 at 19:40
What a great adventure you have lived!
August 22, 2020 at 12:47
An adventure it was, Alex – with good and bad elements. Soon to be published! 🙂
August 19, 2020 at 20:18
These are gorgeous photos. Thanks for sharing them.
August 22, 2020 at 12:48
Thanks and you are very welcome, Robert! To be honest, I didn’t have the time and energy to write a normal blog post, so I took the easy way out and posed a few photos available on my computer still. 🙂
August 19, 2020 at 20:22
Makes me want to jump in! Great pictures… thanks for sharing!
August 22, 2020 at 12:50
Right, Janis??? I think that was one of the most amazing things about living on a boat – we could just jump into the clear water whenever we desired (we actually did, daily, to take our showers) and go for a snorkel at coral gardens nearby.
August 19, 2020 at 22:05
Do you ever miss boat life? I know it’s a lot more work than RVing and it’s not something I’d care to do (motion sickness) but it does look appealing. Great collection of photos sharing fond memories.
August 22, 2020 at 12:54
It would have been easy to answer that question a few years ago, Ingrid. It would have been “no” because the downs were still more prominent in our minds and souls than the ups. Now, as time has passed – five years! – we might consider getting another catamaran again in the future. One day, the answer to your question will be a resounding “yes”! 🙂
By the way, I get motion sick as well! I know… I had a lot of “releases” during my eight years aboard, haha. And, yes, it is a lot more work, but the highs in a watery environment are very different than the highs while RVing. The beauty around you can be more than stunning.
August 20, 2020 at 02:49
Beautiful photos Liesbet. Thanks for sharing these wonderful and obviously very social memories. ❤️
August 22, 2020 at 12:54
Thanks, Miriam. I”m glad you enjoyed this short photo tour of the boat life. I hope to post more of these kinds of memories in the future. 🙂
August 20, 2020 at 10:13
I’m sure the camera-holder enjoyed taking a photo of the happy couple around the islands.
Thanks for sharing snaps from your album, Liesbet. 🙂
August 22, 2020 at 12:57
You’re so welcome, Marian. I’m glad you enjoyed the snapshots. They were taken by us and by visitors to our boat, Irie. Back in the day, it seemed easier to come up with thirteen “cool” photos for the yearly calendars for my loved ones. Lots of amazing scenery and helping camera hands around. 🙂
August 20, 2020 at 10:46
Great photos. What a wonderful adventure it is on a boat. You captured your experiences perfectly.
Great shot off the back of your boat with the seal on the transom!
August 22, 2020 at 12:59
I’m so glad we get to share that boat life experience!! And, I’m sure you know where that last photo, with the sea lion on the transom step, was taken? 🙂 🙂 🙂 <3
August 20, 2020 at 11:38
Thank you for this collage of an earlier part of your life. The sun! The blue sky! The sailboat and “wildlife”! The love that is in the air. I know that the “real” story is that life was more challenging than appears in these photos, but how glorious to relive the good parts from these photographs.
August 22, 2020 at 13:03
You captured it all very well, Pam! Your words – all of them – would be the perfect caption to this collage. Yes, when looking at these shots, it sure looks like we lived in paradise with nothing but love, beauty, freedom, and adventure for eight years. My memoir (partly) debunks the myth. 🙂
August 23, 2020 at 07:36
And I can’t wait to read that memoir!!!
August 23, 2020 at 11:22
Yay! A few more months of patience… 🙂
August 20, 2020 at 13:14
Gorgeous, Liesbet! I will live vicariously through your refreshing images as we endure smoke-fillef skies and ridiculous heat!
August 22, 2020 at 13:04
OH Terri, I’m so sorry to read your words here and see the news about the disastrous wildfires and crazy heat in California. What a sad goodbye for you, but also a sign you made the right choice to move to Washington State… Keeping my fingers crossed for relief for all of you!!!
August 21, 2020 at 10:15
So many gorgeous memories Liesbet. Hoping your memoir is progressing through editing. Very much looking forward to reading it!
August 22, 2020 at 13:06
Hi Sue! The memoir is progressing and that is one of the reasons I had to take “the easy way out” and do a photo blog this past week. Busy, busy, busy, editing. I’d like to promise you that you will be able to read my book this year, still, but… you never know. 🙂
August 22, 2020 at 12:40
How many cute and warm photos. Awesome!
August 22, 2020 at 13:17
Hi Christopher! Thanks for swinging by and leaving this wonderful comment. I’m glad you liked this little photo collage of our previous life – a random pick of some photos that hadn’t been archived yet. 🙂
August 22, 2020 at 17:45
Gorgous photos and memories. Love the ones in particular of Barbuda, Bahamas w the Aussie? and Grenada. We have very little Caribean experience other than Haiti, Dominican Republic and Cuba. Clearly lots more to discover, thanks to your entry. Looks like your sailing days were pretty blissful… although of course we know the hard work behind being waterborne.
Ben and Peta
August 23, 2020 at 11:21
Hi guys!
Thanks for immersing yourselves in my photos. It sure does like a blissful life, doesn’t it? 🙂 We do miss our two Aussie mixes we set out on our sailing adventures with. They both died way too young!
The smaller Caribbean islands have a different feel than the DR and Cuba. Haiti must have been an interesting experience as well. We never stopped there by boat, but know cruisers who have. Yes, lots to explore and discover. We really enjoy the Caribbean vibe and cost of living and have discussed returning, especially since my best friend has put roots down in Grenada for the last three years… But, exploring new horizons is more attractive as of now! Hopefully next year…
August 24, 2020 at 22:36
Wonderful pictures, got me wanting to head back to Mexico. <3
August 27, 2020 at 16:02
Interestingly enough, these photos produce wonderful memories in my head, but I have no desire yet to head back to the tropics. I have other things I’ve set my mind on now and I guess I’m a bit burnt-out by travel. That being said, give me a few more months and I’ll be raring to find more exotic locales!!!
August 27, 2020 at 21:31
I’m already get anxious over the thought of no winter escape this winter. I hope there’s a vaccine by early next winter. 🙂
August 28, 2020 at 12:10
Keeping my fingers crossed for your escape to Mexico and a vaccine, Debby!
By the way, thank you for the post about Frida Kahlo and your recommendation of the film “Frida”. We watched it last night and it – together with your blog post – has opened my eyes to her world, art, and suffering. What an inspiration – you and her! 🙂
August 29, 2020 at 12:14
Oh wow, yay Liesbet, I’m so glad you got to find it. Where did you find the movie, being it’s 18 years old? I would love to watch it again. So glad you enjoyed remarkable Frida Kahlo <3
August 29, 2020 at 15:14
Netflix! I had no idea it was actually 18 years old! Or, I forgot. Now it comes to mind that you might have mentioned on your blog that the movie was made in 2002. 🙂
August 29, 2020 at 15:36
Lol, I did! Arg, I don’t have Netflix. I have Prime and Crave/HBO. Must check around <3
August 26, 2020 at 00:35
Wonderful photos! I’m not much of a traveller anymore, but your photos are inspiring. Maybe another trip for me down the road. Thanks for sharing!
August 27, 2020 at 16:09
Thanks for swinging by and commenting, Debra. At this point, we can only dream. And, hopefully, anticipate a little bit. 🙂
August 26, 2020 at 11:22
Liesbet, I can’t wait to read your memoir, so I am glad it is progressing well. I love these collection of photos. I particularly like the one of you and Mark walking, holding hands along the most white sandy beach and your dog following you. Pure bliss 🙂
August 27, 2020 at 16:33
Hi Gilda! We did visit some romantic places in our lifetime. 🙂 I’m glad to have you in my camp of cheerleaders when it comes to my sailing/travel memoir. Thank you!!!
August 26, 2020 at 23:26
Wow, pictures really are worth a thousand words! 🙂 I’m sure your memoir must be fascinating!
August 27, 2020 at 16:34
Hi Diane! In this case, I am very happy those pictures did their job, as I wasn’t up for writing a thousand words. 🙂 I’m also happy to report that, yes, my memoir is quite fascinating! 🙂
August 30, 2020 at 21:55
Oh, the beautiful colour of tropical waters! I like the photo of the sea lion on your boat, although I guess you wouldn’t have wanted it to come any closer.
Jude
August 31, 2020 at 10:34
Hi Jude! We do have a few stories about sea lion visitors. They can get quite territorial and – OMG – they smell!!! While I wouldn’t want them any closer on the boat – you are right! – I loved hanging out with them on the beach and in the water.