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A Week Under Sail
On The Royal Clipper: |
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Thursday, Jan 18, 2018 - Ft. Lauderdale,
Fla. As I write this, I am sitting in the Ft Lauderdale airport waiting for next flight to Barbados where I am joining my group for a week long sailing adventure on the Royal Clipper ( the 5 masted to right) down through the Grenadines Islands and then back up through St. Lucia and around. The two ships pictured left are privately owned by one man who provides sailing get-aways on them to support his passion. Our 5 masted ship is 435 feet long and is a true sailing ship. There are a few other smaller cruise ships that have big sails for decoration, but these are the "real deal". The amazing feel of the wind pushing us along on warm Caribbean breezes absolutely takes your breath away - this is a bucket list adventure. I'll do daily posts on this Facebook account so you can follow our journey. Some days we may be too far to reach a connection and posts may be delayed, but keep checking on me - I expect to have some exceptional pictures to share |
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Friday, Jan 19, 2018 - Bridgetown,
Barbados |
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Saturday, Jan 20, 2018 - Bridgetown,
Barbados
Great day in Barbados comes to an end as we board our ship, the Royal Clipper, and set sail this evening toward Granada - light winds & 79 degrees at 10pm
I am in the lesser priced basic cabin
which is anything but basic - 5 star all the way |
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Sunday, Jan 21, 2018 - Union Islands, Granadines
It was a good sail last night with strong warm westerly winds easily pushing us across the western Atlantic - it was like coasting downhill - coffee was ready at 6am with bar and breakfast open at 8am - difficult to decide which direction to follow |
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Sunday, Jan 21, 2018 -
Sailing at Sea, Granadines Sunday night - Granada A touch of class- Following an afternoon island swim, cocktails, and elegant dining, I return to my cabin to find this beautiful hardbound book with tales of the sea and the history of our own ship. The book is a gift from ship's owner, Mikael Krafft, reflecting his passion for the glorious era of the Clipper Ships. ........ Yes, I said "ship's owner". This beautiful 435ft ship is not owned by a big company but rather it is the love of single individual who wants people to experience the elegance and romance of the magnificent clipper ships from a century ago. You feel like a private guest of privilege. |
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Jan 22, 2018 - St. George's, Granada
I expect we will make St. George by noon. The early morning tropical air is warm and refreshing. |
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Monday Jan 22, 2018 - Sailing at Sea, Granadines
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Tuesday, Jan 23, 2018 - Tobago Cays, Grenadines An easy sail this morning west to
Tobago Cays - still in the Grenadines.
Later today we'll drop anchor off a little sandy cove and have a beach day - Crew is packing ice chests and bar-b-q's for an afternoon beach party. They will bring over the beach "toys", kayaks, sail boards, etc - The Zodiac is on hand if you want to water ski or wake surf - what to do next?? |
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Tuesday, Jan 23, 2018- Tobago Cays, Grenadines
Staff brought some kayaks and paddle boards to beach for us.
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Wednesday, Jan 24, 2018 - Kingstown,
St. Vincent (morning) Small towns - We have been island
hopping the last two days, going to island towns off the grid. |
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Thursday, Jan 25, 2018 - Fort
de France, Martinique (morning) Thursday - Fun day - The back of the Royal Clipper opens to be an "aqua activity" platform. Not only for swimming, they have nice collection of kayaks, standup paddle boards, a couple small sail boats, and various other water toys free to use as you wish. |
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Every day and Any day -
Since ship is European owned, she is not over regulated with USA safety restrictions and rules. We are welcomed to climb out on the bow net.
Want to climb the mast to the crows nest?? They are happy to let you go up.
Have you ever steered a 435ft sailing
ship?? Well here's your chance.
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Friday, Jan 26, 2018 - Marigot
Bay, St. Lucia Friday Evening - Another perfect day comes to an end. As the sun sets on our ship in St Lucia, so ends 7 perfect days under sail on warm seas and tropical breezes. After dinner tonight, the sails are hoisted for one last time to carry us back to Barbados and a return to reality. But the memories! Wow! - - Waking up every morning and standing alone on deck with that first cup of coffee at sunrise, dancing on deck every night under the brightest stars ever, swimming and snorkeling in crystal clear waters, visiting the little harbors far from big ships and ugly crowds, late dinners with elegant 5 course meals at our private AATPA tables for the 13 of us, climbing to the crows nest, laying in the bow net, walking the streets of little Caribbean villages with no other tourists, watching incredible sunsets, .... And the memories just go on and on. -. Well, that's it for now, I will put all of these FB posts on a web page next week in case you missed a day or two of my adventure. Goodby everyone, Thanks, Bud |
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As I mentioned at the start of
this log, these ships are not only my passion, they are my business.
If this looks like your bucket list too, I would be pleased to provide
reservations and travel plans for you. My services are free as
we are now agents for the Royal Clipper and are paid by them when we
arrange passage for you. |
BOOK
TODAY - CHOOSE BEST CABINS 800-975-2992 / email us: tallsails@aatpa.com
AATPA
Inc. / AATPA.com ®
AATPA is a registered trade mark of A. Arenz Travel Planner Associates,
Inc.
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