Logbook – Sailors for Sustainability

16 August 2024 – The Viking Route

We want to sail north to Canada, Greenland and Iceland. How will our plan to sail back to Europe via the Viking Route unfold?

29 May 2024 – Land of Contrasts

We sail along the US East Coast from Florida to Maine. The many contrasts in this vast country never cease to amaze.

2 February 2024 – Bahamian Blues

We have an appointment in the Bahamas and little time to get there. Will we overcome the Bahamian Blues and still enjoy this unique country?

31 December 2023 – At Home in the Tropics?

We visit the Dutch Caribbean Islands Sint Eustatius, Saba, and Sint Maarten. Will they make us feel at home in the tropics?

16 November 2023 – The Many Sides of the Caribbean

We visit many Caribbean Islands and find that although they’re all tropical paradises, their diversity and rich history define the area’s many sides.

11 October 2023 – Cruising Is…

We combine cruising with doing boat maintenance on the Caribbean islands of Tobago, Grenada, and Carriacou.

2 September 2023 – Stunning Suriname

With a little help we reach Suriname. It’s lovely people, amazing wildlife, rich history, and cultural diversity make our stay truly stunning.

28 July 2023 – Breathtaking Brazil 2.0

We visit Brazil again and sail its northern coast. But before we can explore a stunning island and fishing community, we must repair our mainsail.

7 July 2023 – Around the World

On our passage from Namibia to Brazil, we grief over a lost sail, recover on exciting St Helena, and celebrate having sailed around the world.

3 June 2023 – Sea and Sand

We sail to Namibia and learn about the many benefits of Sea Forests. We switch from sea to sand to explore the vast Namibian desert.

29 April 2023 – Good Hope

We sail along the hazardous South African coast and the Cape of Good Hope. Making it back to the Atlantic lifts our spirits, as does Ubuntu!

11 November 2022 – Setbacks and Rewards in South Africa

We deal with setbacks before exploring South Africa’s Imfolozi wildlife park. Our rewards come in the form of a unique experience and insight.

16 October 2022 – Crossing the Indian Ocean

We are crossing the Indian Ocean from Cocos (Keeling) Islands to South Africa. Will we avoid storms and monster waves of the Agulhas current?

27 August 2022 – Australia’s Indian Ocean Islands

We sail to Australia’s Indian Ocean islands and learn that both wildlife and humans are threatened by plastic pollution and sea level rise.

27 July 2022 – Exploring Australia

We explore Australia and learn that there’s still hope for the Great Barrier Reef, especially if we apply the wisdom of the indigenous Aboriginals.

2 June 2022 – Tropical Paradise or Colonial Sacrifice Zone?

We sail to New Caledonia and find both a sacrifice zone and a tropical paradise. Could its future be a litmus test for the rest of the world?

10 May 2022 – Farewell Aotearoa New Zealand

With heavy hearts, we leave Aotearoa New Zealand after 17 months. But not without saying farewell to old and new friends.

22 March 2022 – Around the South Island

We fight strong currents and winds to explore Stewart Island and wild Fiordland before completing our circumnavigation of New Zealand.

13 January 2022 – In the Wake of Abel Tasman

After almost a year, we’re sailing again. Via the Bay of Islands, we round the North Island and sail south in the wake of Dutch explorer Abel Tasman.

31 October 2021 – Locked Down

After exploring the fate of kauri trees and learning about enviroschools, our freedom is limited when Delta arrives. How long will the lockdown last?

1 August 2021 – Stranded in New Zealand

We evaluate our options and decide to stay longer in New Zealand. Being stranded here turns out to be a blessing in disguise.

16 June 2021 – Time for Tender Loving Care

Bringing Luci back in shape takes more time and effort than we expected, but the result is well worth it.

5 April 2021 – Vanlife – Part III

The final leg of our road trip is chock-a-block with inspiring people, sustainable initiatives, natural beauty, and meeting new and old friends.

5 March 2021 – Vanlife – Part II

Our road trip in New Zealand continues on the South Island with more sustainable initiatives and stunning natural beauty.

15 February 2021 – Vanlife – Part I

Our road trip in New Zealand goes into full gear on the North Island: natural beauty, sustainable initiatives, wrapped in Kiwi hospitality.

3 February 2021 – Becoming Land Travellers

Our goals of doing boat maintenance, exploring sustainable solutions, and travelling in New Zealand seem incompatible, until we meet Miss Nissy.

10 January 2021 – Halfway

We’re halfway on our journey and reflect on our progress. We’re hopeful but there’s a lot to do. It’s all hands on deck to achieve sustainable change.

1 January 2021 – The Privileged Ones

We undergo New Zealand’s quarantine procedures, start exploring this amazing country, and realize how privileged we are to have arrived just in time.

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?

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?

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.

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.

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.

19 July 2020 – The Dangerous Archipelago

We visit the Tuamotus in French Polynesia and discover picturesque atolls teeming with underwater life.

10 June 2020 – Exploring Local Resilience

During the lockdown in the Gambier archipelago in French Polynesia, we explore various forms of local resilience.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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?

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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...

27 December 2017 – Go West

Despite the strong headwinds, we make progress sailing west. We visit Malta, Tunisia and Sardinia. And celebrate a lively Christmas in Palma de Mallorca.

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.

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.

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.

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...

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.

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.

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...

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.