On a breezy spring day, we sailed from Toronto to Port Credit. Thanks to Che Decastro of True North Yachts for the opportunity to test sail the 2008 Hunter 36.
A video medley of my sailing activities: daysailing on Lake Ontario, a charter trip to the British Virgin Islands, and vacationing in the Florida Keys.
Our visit to Portugal coincided with the local festival (or "festa") happening at the village of Reixida. Reixida was celebrating its annual festival of patron saint, Santa Marta. Or better known as St Martha of the New Testament.
The ancient city of Conimbriga is the largest Roman settlement in Portugal, as well as the best preserved, and well worth visiting.
Coimbra is one of Portugal's oldest cities (it already was an important municipality in Roman times) and is home to one of the world's first universities. It was the capital of the country from 1139 to 1256 and its university was founded in 1290.
Sesimbra is a short drive south of Lisbon, a peninsula that juts out into the Atlantic Ocean. Historically, it was a fishing village. It still has a viable commercial fishing industry, but the main economic activities are tourism-related
We drove to the village of Sao Mamede for its weekend fair, but nowadays, it's more like a flea market for cheap clothing, shoes, household goods and music CDs. Interspersed among them are farming implements, such as back hoes, saws, leather reins for animals, and live chickens, roosters, rabbits, evidence of a rural social-economic life. There were also local handicrafts such as pottery, but I couldn't help but notice that most of the traditional Portuguese tablecloths were machine-made in China.
The climate of central Portugal allows for a multitude of plants, flowers, vegetables, shrubs and trees to thrive.
A typical Saturday morning begins with a drive to Leiria, the nearest city to Portelas. We head straight to the fish market, where all kinds of fish and sea life can be bought for a price.
Septubal Peninsula juts out into the Atlantic Ocean. Located just south of Lisbon.
The town of Óbidos and its castle are located on a hill and encircled by a fortified wall. It retains a picture postcard quality due to its well-preserved medieval look of its streets, squares, walls and its massive castle.
Exposed to the strong winds of the Atlantic Ocean, Portugal has a long tradition of using the power of the wind. Some windmills are equipped with earthenware vessels fixed directly to the bar of the windmill-wheel.
The Madamba Family Christmas Party
A tour of the Baths, followed by lunch on board. Later that night, entertainment at Marina Cay, and a final sail back to home port for the Bahatic crew.
The crew spent a day in Loblolly Bay. On the way to Jost Van Dyck, we sailed through another squall.
During the charrter, the crew of the Bahati sailed to the Bight on Norman Island as well as experiencing a sail through a squall. Then, anchored overnight at Manchioneel Bay at Cooper Island.
A picnic under the rocks of Fallen Jerusalem, and then overnight on the mooring ball at Marina Cay.
A night spent on the mooring ball at Virgin Gorda's Leverick Bay. The next morning saw an exhilirating sail to Anageda - great winds coming from the east producing large rollers.
After negotiation with Tradewinds Charter was completed, the crew of the Bahatis were ready to cast off the docklines, and sail to their first anchorage at Little Harbour, Peter Island.
We chartered a Dufour 43 for sailing in the British Virgin Islands. There were some issues with the boat that was provided to us.
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