Our sail from Ilha Grande to Rio wasn't exactly postcard stuff . Sailing using the cold fronts to get north is usually overcast , windy and rainy and that's exactly how we had it , miserable to say the least . It was uncomfortable with the wind slightly forward of the beam , a lumpy sea and some big potholes . With the wind gusting around 25kns we took a lot of water over our deck but fortunately Burmese teak loves salt water so there is always a positive aspect to everything.
Windward lives up to her name really well and we did the passage in excellent time and later that afternoon we were entering Guanabara Bay and after rounding the famous Sugarloaf we headed up to the prestigious Rio de Janeiro Yacht Club to check in. We had received an invite , our third and we grabbed it with both hands . This club has everything , very larney .
Just to set the scene from our cockpit . We have the towering Sugarloaf above us with the eccentric suburb of Urca at its base , the city wrapped around us nestled in the foothills of the surrounding mountains and hills and on top of Corcovado Mountain looking down on us with his arms outstretched is Christ the Redeemer . What a view ! The other evening we had some special effects going with the powerful lighting which illuminates the statue from the front side reflecting off the cloud behind the statue creating a perfect shadow of the iconic Cristo Redentor . Every morning my little wife looks out the portlight and greets him while she fires up the kettle .
Rio is famous for many reasons apart from its unique landmarks .
Its carnival is meant to last for five days but it is the biggest party of the year and the Brazilians can throw a party like no-one else . Pre-carnival parties stoke the wild atmosphere long before the official opening ceremony . Carnival time is when excesses are encouraged and this raucous bacchanal of music , dance and festivities takes over the city .
Our favourite parts of the city are its wonderful beaches which are the city's big attraction . l have spent my life on the beach but these beaches are the epitome of true beach culture . It is where the people of Rio , tourists included , socialize , exercise and generally relax in the sun while watching life pass by them .
Copacabana , Ipanema and Leblon is where it all happens and part of this beach culture is a very competitive sports scene . We have watched beach soccer being played with teams all kitted out barefoot of course with a ref and linesmen and played with the same intensity as any professional game .
Our favourite game to watch is what is known as Futevolei which is a combination of soccer and volley ball . Played by both sexes the skill levels are right up there . Of course all the standard beach sports are played and surfing at the various beach breaks is pretty crowded even when the surf is crap .
Rio is a funky , beautiful city with lots to offer but it is time to sail again and continue north .
We had a great time and will treasure our memories of our time spent here .
Allan & Ursula Ward: Port Owen, Cape West Coast, South Africa.
Shearwater 39:
- L.O.A. 43ft (13.22m)
- L.O.D. 39ft (12m)
- L.W.L. 34ft (10.3m)
- BEAM 13ft(3.9m)
- DRAFT 6ft(1.8m)
HOW IT ALL BEGAN .
I placed my order on Nebe Boats on the 19/10/1992 for what was initially planned to be a complete factory built yacht that l would sail home to Durban from Capetown once she was completed. Unfortunately due to the demise of Nebe Boats in the early days of her construction it did not turn out that way, so l decided to truck her home to Ramsgate on the KZN South Coast to finish building her in our garden at home.
For many years we could proudly boast that we had the most expensive piece of garden furniture in town, but at the time l had no idea of how massive this project would turn out to be. As anyone who has built a blue water cruiser will tell you, particularly if she is kitted out with all the systems and the equipment that a modern cruiser has onboard these days, it is a daunting task . Looking at the positive aspects of this project, l know the boat intimately in that l designed and installed the systems, so from a repair and maintenance perspective l have no issues carrying out the work that is necessary from time to time.
The big day arrived on the 29/8/2008 when we craned her out of the garden onto a rig to truck her through to Durban for launching . What followed was three months of preparations to ready her for the maiden voyage to our home port in Port Owen on the Cape West Coast.
We had a fast passage down the South African East Coast including a storm off the notorious Wild Coast and arrived in Port Owen in dense fog. Windward had passed her first test with flying colours and since then we have enjoyed some great sailing on the West Coast.
We had a fast passage down the South African East Coast including a storm off the notorious Wild Coast and arrived in Port Owen in dense fog. Windward had passed her first test with flying colours and since then we have enjoyed some great sailing on the West Coast.
The master plan has always been to go cruising, so our plans are to leave for Brazil via Luderitz and St Helena Island at the end of February 2014. So far everything is on track although the “To Do“ list still grows each day.
The purpose of this blog is to record our adventure for ourselves, family and friends. Although it will probably end up being a brief summary of events while we are cruising, we hope you will enjoy and share some of our experiences with us.
LIVING THE DREAM .
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glad all went well during the trip north, but can imagine reluctant crew didn't enjoy the damp and lumpy conditions.... those are not a girl's best friend!! Love your photos, fab places to see. Take care, we think of you and loveyalots. F of H xxxxx
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