Moon without the moon!

We've been three people on the boat for quite some time now. Caroline, a friend from the south pacific decided she wanted to get a grip on life, getting back to the roots and getting her feet a little wet once again. She joined us in Figuera da Foz and have been sailing with us since. Or, to be honest. it has been such short distances and no wind so we have once again turned back to the old motor, hammering us forward in the absolute dead calm of wind and trying to see as much sea life as possible.

Jonathan is getting more and more familiar with the steering of the boat!

Since the beginning of this trip, I've had some issues with the boat. Or not issues really. More like "things that are in need to improve". More or less. I've always just said I would do it all in Portugal. Well, folks! Portugal is here... Or rather we are now in Portugal since a couple of weeks. Two. Two weeks. And what have been done really?

Just another sunset... or was it sunrise?

Hmmm... Well, We've been in Leixos (small town just by Porto), from which we went to just Porto. But way to big and didn't really speak to us. after that we aimed for Viana do costela (amazing little town with a splendid view from the mountain at a really nicely built cathedral (or if it was an obelisque?(spelling?)), we've been at Figuera da Foz, little bigger town than previous stay but really nothing more to it than it's own charm. We've pushed forward from there to a small lagoon called Sao Martinho do Porto. An amazing anchorage, a little rolly and not very calm, but more or less just a bigger hole in the land mass and a small cozy little town. But as it was to small, and maybe not as cozy as I just implied we sailed further. From the lagoon we ended up in to Peniche. A really nice town, long beaches and great anchorage. Just close to town. From there we decided to push through to get into Lisbon within the weekend!

The way towards the mountain in Viana do Costela!

It was truly some steps to get up to the top!

The main reason we took the long and hard walk!

And what an inside as well!

Jonathan shooting the view from the top!

So in most of these towns, coming back to the fact we really need to start arranging some stuff with the boat. We really haven't seen that much. We've done some basic walk-arounds but not really much more than that. But we have got really good insights to the entire west coast of Portugal's all Industrial areas. But seem no one could help us with all the stuff we needed. Chandelier or marine shops have been very, very limited stocked up or actually, just none existing. Making boat work hard and frustrating. But after a lot and lot of long walks in shady and outskirts of these towns we made a lot of progress. Solar panels are once again back up and charging (just a small fix and we are done!). And a bunch of smaller works have been done. No remembrance of what and where really. But feels we really just been fixing the boat. Great. Getting closer!

We've done our fair share of fishing gear searching as well. An absolute must. But haven't come across anything usefull yet. Except the entire snorkeling outfit including spear guns. Will be very interesting to get closer to water that is still not freezing just looking at it. But then again. Wet suit, 5mm, should do the trick. For some time at least?

Jonathan mounting the speargun in our specific desired way... unwrapping it.... more or less!

Another quite interesting part that happened were when going down to Peniche. Or if it was towards Lisbon. hmm.. Can't really remember where. But we came across some very interesting sea life. "Colon, Colon, Colon. If you look out on your port side you'll see a dead dolphin" We we're getting closer to a Swedish boat, called Titti 4, he was hailing us on the VHF. Dolphins have always been a great view and a somewhat icon for just having the best time ever. Those lovely little creatures just playing around the boat. Now we were to see a dead one. Probably being stuck in a fishing net or something. We came closer and actually changed the course on the autopilot just to make sure. But while getting closer the fin that were somewhat over the surface were flapping, not very hard, and not maybe very easy to see for the untrained eye. Good we are somewhat used to being pirates by now. Great! This is our time to shine. Colon to the resque! This were our time to contribute to nature, giving back all the things we at some point done differently against mother nature. Fuck it, I was all about getting a movie on YouTube and getting as famous as the Kardashians! We aimed for the "dead" dolphin, readied our selves. Mentally at least. As we didn't have any, absolute any idea on how to proceed once we got closer. Launched the dinghy was my first instinct. We didn't though. We didn't even try rescue the "dead" dolphin. It wasn't a Dolphin. And it was not dead at all. It was just a small moon fish. floating around doing it's stuff and looked like it was a one of a kind. A little bit later we saw another one. And here is where i get confused. Are these animals not supposed to be very rare? Or are the massive ones the rare ones? they could grow somewhat up towards 4 meter... or so... give or take... eehm.. Just google it. I have no idea. I've seen pictures of the massive ones. They are truly massive! So, are they rare or not? Please discuss in comments and give us a heads up when you all come to terms with truth or not to this statement. Thank you!

Titti 4 coming out of the mist!

Is that a trapped Dolphin?

Nope... Just one of the Moon Fish!

So now we are all set in Lisbon. And what a town this is. I told both Jonathan and Caroline that Lisbon is one of my favorite cities in the world. It just have this constant flow and charm to it, everywhere you go. It feels alive but not over the top, or in a "synthetic way" just a burning pulse of charm and love around. It is truly amazing. We've been wandering up and down these small steps and hills, seen monuments, got lost more than once, and everywhere you end up you still find the town absolutely amazing. It is truly a diamond in the rough in Europe for sure. And I think we all can agree. By far the absolute best stop on this trip so far. But then again. It is hard to compare all cities as they are all very much different. But it absolutely is on the top list. Love it.

One of the amazing views from Lisbon!

Another typical sight at a random corner!

Typical lunch in a traditional Portuguese way!

Even how much we love being here we are getting more and more ready for the passing towards Canaries. We are really psyched about getting further away and the Atlantic are being more and more inviting. So we are leaving the mainland next weekend. For about one week of sail to Las Palmas. Well there we have some bigger projects for the boat, and once done, and once Jontes dad have had some time visiting we are well under way towards Brazil!

Can't wait!

The transport is more or less over. Soon the sailing and discovering "new worlds" can begin!

Jonathan are getting excited to, hopefully snorkel with some Orcas. Or at least see some of them. Well.. Soon, after the crossing to Brasil, we are working our way away from the equator and not towards it. Will be a very, very interesting part of the world to sail in. Even if the Orcas are much more further south than Brazil.

But hey, We're getting there!

Slowly but steady!

Hmm... Nah. I'm done. Not so much more to tell at this moment. Will come some updates further ahead. I am sure or it. Just don't know when. Most likely when we are in Las Palmas and prior to us leaving from there. Hopefully there will be some more and more massively picture including blog entries moving forward. Or not. Internet supply will have it's say for sure. But we will do our best. At times at least..

Looking good and getting some sun !