
Sailors for Sustainability
Sustainability
Double-click on a flag to learn more about a sustainable solution.
We inspire people to change their habits by finding, documenting, and promoting sustainable solutions to social and environmental challenges all over the world. Together, we can change course in time! Learn more about…
Around the globe, dedicated people are working on inspiring solutions that pave the way to a sustainable society. See which ones we have documented (with articles and videos) and learn how they can help YOU make sustainable choices:
Our society and planet face numerous challenges, like climate disruption, inequality, pollution, and biodiversity loss. Yet we can tackle them! For some background information about these challenges and which solutions address them, go to:


Coral Gardening (PYF)
In French Polynesia we see the beauty of coral reefs, but these important ecosystems are under threat. Fortunately, it’s not too late to save them.
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Saving Sharks with Sanctuaries (PYF)
French Polynesia is saving sharks with the largest shark sanctuary in the world. These top predators are vital in keeping reefs and oceans healthy.
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Self-Sufficient Living on Taravai (PYF)
On the island of Taravai, we meet a self-sufficient family. Their lifestyle is not only more resilient, but also provides sustainability benefits.
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Drawing on Ancestral Values (CHL)
Easter Island’s famous statues not only attract tourists, but also symbolize ancestral values and even drive many sustainable initiatives.
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A Farm That Restores Nature (CHL)
The Chilean farm Alihuen combines organic farming and tourist education to restore local flora and fauna on former grasslands.
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Cleverly Fighting Plastic Pollution (CHL)
Chilean company Algramo uses clever, reusable packaging to reduce plastic waste and save customers money.
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Improving Children’s Health with Veggies (PER)
High in the Peruvian Andes, poor school children learn how to grow and cook healthy, organic veggies. An example for the world?
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Community-Based Tourism (PER)
Community-based tourism, with slow travel and homestays at its core, make for an authentic and more sustainable travel experience.
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Investing in Nature (CHL)
Chilean Patagonia thanks its pristine wilderness to successful conservation efforts. Among them Tompkins Conservation, a remarkable, private initiative.
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Earthship Ushuaia (ARG)
In Ushuaia we visit a self-sustaining Earthship built with recycled and natural materials. A truly sustainable building example from the end of the world.
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Meatless in Buenos Aires (ARG)
In the beef capital of the world, the tide is turning in favor of plant-based diets. Good news for human health, animals, nature and the climate.
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Sustainable Schools (URY)
In Uruguay and Argentina, we visit two sustainable schools. The buildings and teachings are textbook examples of sustainability.
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Alda’s Organic Neighbourhood Farm (URY)
Organic farmer Alda explains how fertile soil enables her to grow food without poison, increases biodiversity, and has positive climate effects.
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Natural Coffee (BRA)
We visit a coffee forest in Brazil and learn all about the environmental and social benefits of agro-ecology. Surely the preferred way to feed the world!
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Food Forests (BRA)
In Brazil, Ernst Götsch explains to us how to grow healthy food in cooperation with the forest, an inspiring solution for the widespread deforestation.
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Casa Tambor (CPV)
Casa Tambor - Where the Beerens and Molenaar families are demonstrating how to use local and recycled building materials on Cape Verde.
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Artificial Reefs (CPV)
In Cape Verde and Brazil we learn how man-made structures can help to restore the underwater ecosystems.
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Saving Sea Turtles on Sal (CPV)
On the island of Sal, we meet an organisation that saves sea turtles. And learn how biodiversity can be increased and damaged ecosystems restored.
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Energy on El Hierro (ESP)
On the small and remote Spanish island El Hierro, we visit a world-leading renewable energy storage solution that combines wind- and hydropower!
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Banana Logic: Butterflies instead of Poison (ESP)
On the Canary Island of La Palma in Spain, we discover that the logical way to grow bananas is with butterflies instead of poison. Fran GarLaz explains why and how.
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Greek Gold (GRC)
In Greece we take a closer look at olive oil, which is an integral part of Greek history and culture. And discover ways of growing olives sustainably.
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Rewilding Kalamos (GRC)
On the Greek island of Kalamos, we learn about rewilding. We are inspired by the way this form of ecosystem regeneration balances natural and human needs.
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People-to-People Clothing (ALB)
In Albania, we meet Pitupi that makes clothing “people-to-people” and where environmental and social values are as least as important as financial profit.
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Solar All the Wa(y)ve (GRC)
Has the future of motor boating arrived? After meeting both a prototype and a commercial solar boat we surely think so!
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Reforestation on Steroids (ITA)
Reforestation helps to fight climate change, drought and fires. Innovations like the COCOON support young trees and accelerate the creation of new forests.
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Sardex: a Local Currency for a Circular Economy? (ITA)
We sail to Sardinia to visit the local currency Sardex. Could this be a more sustainable monetary alternative suitable to support a circular economy?
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Slow Food: Local, Artisanal and More Sustainable Food (ITA)
The Slow Food movement promotes food that is good for the consumer, good for the producer and good for the planet.
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In Search of Sustainable Wine (FRA)
Join us on our trip in search for sustainable wine to nuns, a family-run traditional vineyard, a château and the Italian Permaculture Institute.
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Ibiza’s Green Heart (ESP)
Sustainability on a party island? We sail to Ibiza and discover its Green Heart at Casita Verde, where Chris Dews leads many inspiring initiatives.
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Spanish Solar Energy at Night (ESP)
In one hour enough solar energy reaches the Earth to provide energy for everyone for a year. But how will we harvest and store it? Spain has the solution.
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Creative with Cork (PRT)
In Portugal we learn all about the environmental and social sustainability aspects of cork. Time to get more creative with this remarkable natural material!
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Emission-Free Shipping over Sea (PRT)
In Porto we moor next to Fair Transport’s sailing cargo vessel Tres Hombres. Their mission: to promote emission-free transport and to minimize transport.
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Hooked on Hiking (ESP)
We travel to Santiago de Compostela, the end point of the St. James Way. And learn how hiking can be both a spiritual and a physical sustainable solution.
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Social Sustainability at Mondragon (ESP)
At Mondragon, employees are owners, salaries and profits are fairly distributed, there is solidarity among cooperatives, and education is held in high esteem.
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Eradicating Ecocide (GBR)
Polly Higgins is on a mission to make mass destruction of the earth an international crime.
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Transition Town Totnes (GBR)
In Totnes, home of the Transition Town movement, we learn how a focus on local food, renewable energy, energy neutral living, and the local economy makes a town more resilient and sustainable.
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Ecovillage Findhorn – a Community Based on Sustainability (GBR)
Spirituality plays a big part at Findhorn Ecovillage, which is based on love for nature and each other.
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Marine Energy in Orkney (GBR)
Public-private partnerships pioneer a new form of renewable energy: energy from the sea (tides and waves).
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Electrified Norway (NOR)
How hydropower generates electricity for electric driving and the world’s first fully electric car ferry.
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Permaculture on a Swedish Island (SWE)
How a family on a Swedish island applies permaculture principles on their organic farm.
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Nature Conservation through Access and Education (SWE)
How Sweden’s right to roam (allemansrätten) and scientific legacy led to its pioneering role in nature conservation.
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Insulation to Reduce Energy Use (DNK)
What makes insulation a sustainable solution and how have government policies in Denmark contributed to more energy efficiency.
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Copenhagen’s Climate Actions (DNK)
What the Danish capital is doing to adapt to climate change and become carbon neutral by 2025.
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Getting Energy on Samsø (DNK)
Through engagement of the community and local ownership, the islanders managed to become energy independent with renewable energy.
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Community Supported Agriculture (DEU)
The Kattendorfer Hof produces organic food and works on the basis of Community Supported Agriculture.
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Living Without Waste (DEU)
Germany’s first packaging-free grocery store, Unverpackt Kiel, helps consumers reduce plastic and food waste, and stimulates buying local.
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Solving the Plastic Soup (NLD)
What the Netherlands is doing and what you can do to reduce plastic waste.
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Amsterdam Shares (NLD)
How Amsterdammers are sharing tools, bikes, games to save money and natural resources
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Cycling in Amsterdam (NLD)
Cycling benefits your health, finances, air quality, and the climate!
Read MoreSailing
We chronicle our sailing adventure and showcase the earth’s beauty through blogs and vlogs. Read and see more about different legs of our trip:
Thanks to our renovated classic sailboat Lucipara 2 we can circumnavigate the earth on wind power. Learn more about her:
Find out where our mission has taken us since we left Amsterdam in 2016, where we are we now, and where we plan to go next:

10 December 2020 – All and Nothing
Our trip to New Zealand is 2,500 miles non-stop, our longest leg so far. Will we be able to stay clear of depressions and hurricanes?
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9 November 2020 – Plan A or B?
While we wait for approval from New Zealand, we explore the Society’s Leeward islands. As time passes, we also make a plan B. Which plan will it be?
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9 October 2020 – Practising Patience
On Tahiti, our patience is being tested. In the meantime, we get new energy and enjoy the comforts of housesitting.
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3 September 2020 – Magical Mo’orea
We find magic in Mo’orea as we hike its mountains, meet inspiring islanders who restore coral reefs, and swim with whales.
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10 August 2020 – The Land of Plenty
We explore Tahiti and are overwhelmed by the wild nature and pleasant luxuries of French Polynesia’s main island.
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19 July 2020 – The Dangerous Archipelago
We visit the Tuamotus in French Polynesia and discover picturesque atolls teeming with underwater life.
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10 June 2020 – Exploring Local Resilience
During the lockdown in the Gambier archipelago in French Polynesia, we explore various forms of local resilience.
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4 April 2020 – Stuck in Paradise
While exploring the Gambier archipelago in French Polynesia, the corona crisis reminds us of the importance of local resilience.
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26 February 2020 – Bounty Island Pitcairn
Pitcairn’s remoteness makes its people self-reliant. They live with what they have, nature blossoms, and consumerism is non-existent.
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5 February 2020 – Easter Island’s Ancestral Lessons
Our leg to isolated Easter Island is the longest so far. Its intriguing history and engaged residents provide important lessons on sustainability.
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30 December 2019 – Preparing for the Pacific
Together with guests we visit a nature restoration farm, before preparing our boat for the Pacific. We celebrate Christmas on a remarkable island.
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11 November 2019 – Homes Sweet Homes
We leave our floating home in Chile for a trip back home to reunite with family, friends, followers, and partners.
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2 August 2019 – In the Footsteps of the Incas
Our busses & backpacks tour continues through Peru and Chile. We discover stunning nature, indigenous culture, and many inspiring sustainable solutions.
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29 June 2019 – Plan B
To avoid the hurricane season in the South Pacific, we make a Plan B. We leave Luci behind to explore more of South America by bus with our backpacks.
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13 May 2019 – Sailing through the Wilderness
More than three months we sail through the Patagonian wilderness, fighting headwinds, cold, and rain. The spectacular nature reinforces our conviction that it needs to be preserved for future generations.
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4 February 2019 – Testing the Water
In Ushuaia we visit an Earthship. With friends we test the Patagonian waters and explore stunning glaciers and bays. It leads to adjusted plans.
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30 December 2018 – The Furious Fifties
As we leave Mar del Plata and sail south to Ushuaia, we enter the notorious Furious Fifties, where challenging weather and spectacular nature await.
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25 November 2018 – Preparing for Patagonia
We discover Buenos Aires and make new friends. Also, our preparations for Patagonia come into full swing: we do boat maintenance, pick up trainee Lars and provision for the next months.
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2 November 2018 – Unexpected Uruguay
Friendly people, sunny spring weather, a laid-back atmosphere, an inspiring organic farm and a sustainable school. Uruguay truly was an unexpected gem!
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10 October 2018 – Weather and Bureaucracy
We are running out of time in Brazil. Our 90-day visas are about to expire, but the weather isn't very cooperative. Will we be able to timely reach Uruguay?
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11 September 2018 – Connecting Brazilian Dots
Whales treat us to a spectacular show as we sail to Rio de Janeiro. On land we learn that agroecology is more than an environmentally sound farming method.
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18 August 2018 – 50 Shades of Green
We sail along the Brazilian coast, enjoy its green vegetation but also learn of its destruction. And discover a farming method that cooperates with forests.
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14 July 2018 – Crossing the Blue Desert
From Cape Verde we set sail for Brazil, our longest trip so far. As we cross the blue desert, we deal with varying weather and find a paradise-like oasis.
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23 June 2018 – A Taste of Africa
We sail to Cape Verde where we discover marine ecosystem restoration initiatives and learn how to build with recycled materials. A true taste of Africa!
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31 May 2018 – Canary Island Hopping
We hop between the Canary Islands and discover their stunning natural beauty. We also learn about banana logic and a unique renewable energy storage system.
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4 May 2018 – Traveling Back in Time
After almost two years at sea, it’s time for a trip back home to share the 30 sustainable solutions we discovered in Europe with our followers and partners.
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16 March 2018 – Volcanoes and Paint
We sail from Morocco to the Canary Islands. With friends we explore its volcanic landscapes. Luci gets hauled out for repairs and maintenance.
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4 February 2018 – Another World
When we leave the Mediterranean Sea, the Atlantic Ocean welcomes us with calm weather and fresh fish! And brings us to another world...
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21 November 2017 – Glorious Greece
We sail alomg the west coast of Greece and to the island of Crete. We look for sustainable olive oil, enjoy nature's beauty, and immerse in history.
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11 October 2017 – Up and Down Croatia
Sailing Croatia has ups and downs: strict immigration, thunderstorms, beautiful islands and a family birthday celebration. We clean beaches and visit Venice.
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1 September 2017 – Upwind into the Adriatic Sea
While sailing upwind into the Adriatic Sea, we discover sustainable initiatives, learn about history and meet old and new friends in Greece and Albania.
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12 August 2017 – An Italian Summer
During our Italian summer, we find a way to deal with the peak holiday season and the extreme heat. But then Luci decides to start a journey on her own...
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13 July 2017 – Spoiled on Sardinia
On Sardinia we visit the local currency Sardex, a good solution for a more local and stable economy? And friends and family also visit - and spoil - us.
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13 June 2017 – One Year of Solutions and Adventures
We sail from Le Grazie to Elba and Corsica. And cross the notorious Bonifacio Straight to Sardinia, where we reflect on the first year of our sailing trip.
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17 May 2017 – Going Slow(ly)
We sail from Nice to Le Grazie. Very slowly. We visit the Slow Food movement, and enjoy the beauty of Italy's Ligurian coast. And we surely prefer water to be outside the boat...
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21 April 2017 – Family, Friends, Food and Wine
We sail from Ibiza to Nice, via Barcelona and the Cote d'Azur. On our way we meet family and friends, and encounter delicious and sustainable food and wine.
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22 March 2017 – Party Island?
Ibiza a party island? In summer perhaps. We discover natural beauty, the lovely Greenheart Ibiza & Casita Verde people, and meet old and new friends.
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28 February 2017 – Levant and an Emergency
On our sailing trip around the world in search of sustainable solutions we sail from Malaga to Ibiza. We are confronted by the "Levant" and an emergency.
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8 February 2017 – Around the Rock
We sail from the border between Portugal and Spain via Gibraltar to Málaga, have a family reunion, and visit to a solar power plant in Andalusia.
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16 January 2017 – Winter Sun in the Algarve
We leave Lisbon after Christmas to celebrate the New Year in Lagos with Margreet. Along the coast of the Algarve more friends join us and we research the sustainable qualities of cork.
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27 December 2016 – The Portuguese West Coast
From the Islas Cíes in Spain we sail south to Porto, where we meet sailing cargo ship Tres Hombres. They have no engine, so we help them move upriver and moor next to them in central Porto. We also go on a port wine expedition in the Douro valley before heading further south via Aveiro and Nazaré to Cascais and Lisbon.
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2 December 2016 – Hiking in the Spanish Rías
In Galicia we visit the four Rías Bajas, adb take a trip to Santiago de Compostela to find out more about the sustainability aspects of hiking.
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15 November 2016 – Bay of Biscay
We cross the Bay of Biscay in late October, with a stopover at Île de Groix. In Spain we visit a company based on democracy and social responsibility.
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20 October 2016 – Family, Friends and Dolphins
From Scotland we sail to the Isle of Man and then to Cornwall. In "Transition Town" Totnes we meet Earth Lawyer Polly Higgins.
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6 October 2016 – Scotland’s Isles and Lochs
From Norway we sail west to visit marine energy projects on Orkney and am ecovillage in Findhorn. After passing through the Caledonian Canal we taste organic whisky on Islay.
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3 September 2016 – Exploring the Fjords with Friends
We sail to Stavanger, where friends join us for a tour of the fjords. We also drive a Tesla to sail on the world's first electric ferry, Ampere, across the Sognefjord.
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11 August 2016 – The Norwegian Riviera Revisited
From Thor Heyerdahl's and Colin Archer's hometown Larvik we take a train to visit Oslo, then sail to Sandøya to spend time with new friends. They spoil us with delicious food and fishing instructions. Further down the coast, friends we made last year, Marianne and Ragnar, welcome us again. After a wonderful time there we head to Mandal for birthday celebrations.
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29 July 2016 – Danish Ambitions and Swedish Nature
In Copenhagen, Denmark, we research the city's climate ambitions and visit Rockwool to learn about insulation and energy reduction. We sail along the West Coast of Sweden and visit Kosterhavet National Park and Kosters Trädgården, where co-founder Helena von Bottmer explains permaculture to us.
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8 July 2016 – German Food and Danish Energy
In Germany we visit Unverpackt Kiel, a packaging-free store, and the Kattendorfer Hof, one of Europe's largest Community Supported Agriculture farms. We then sail to Samsø to learn about their energy transition, before heading to Copenhagen.
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