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.
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.
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.
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.
Ben Nevis seen from the Caledonian canal
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.
View from Preikestolen into the Lysefjord
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.
Welcome by Marianne and Ragnar
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.
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.
Danish roadside stall
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.
26 June 2016 – The Compass Leads the Way
Enkhuizen (NLD) - Kiel (DEU) The “compass pole” in Harlingen’s harbour is notorious. According to our neighbours in the marina, sailing yachts that need their compass calibrated should…
Heppies at Goodbye Party
13 June 2016 – Our Departure!
Amsterdam – Enkhuizen (NL) Sleepless in Sixhaven We cannot sleep. The adrenaline from our farewell party and the excitement about the imminent departure for our trip around the…
Final Groceries
7 June 2016 – Final Preparations
Less than one week before we leave Amsterdam! The last few weeks saw us visit potential partners, give media interviews, buy essential gear and say goodbye to some family…
Lucipara in Lemmer
16 May 2016 – Defying Lucipara’s Natural Condition
"The natural condition of a sailing boat is that something is broken" Ivar likes to say. "Only after investing lots of time and money in repairs and maintenance, with a bit of luck you…
Floris hurt both his feet
24 April 2016 – Sailing Doctors?
A large cut in my skin. I cringe as Floris pushes a razor-sharp needle deep into the flesh, underneath the wound and out on the other side. Just looking at…
Nice prospect picture for the course "Practical meteorology for long-distance sailors"
19 March 2016 – The Wonders of Weather Prediction
Why would we need a course on meteorology - all we need to do is check a weather app, right? It seems a bit of a waste of time and money, but we…
1 March 2016 – Surviving at Sea
Freezing Cold "What do you mean, we have to jump into 6º C North Sea water?" asks Floris after being told we are going outside to practice our…
Our friend Margreet's car is fully loaded, how on earth are we going to get all that stuff onboard?
1 January 2016 – Becoming Liveaboards
"How on earth are we going to fit all this stuff onboard?" I'm asking Floris when I see the pile of things to move to the boat increasing.…
11 December 2015 – Our Foundation
As of 11 December 2015 we are officially a foundation: Stichting Sailors for Sustainability. This means that our efforts to find and share sustainable solutions will all be…
10 December 2015 – Sewing Lessons
Self-Supporting Once we leave Amsterdam, our goal is to be as self-supporting as possible. Seasoned sailors will know that sails can and will tear on long sailing trips.…
7 August 2015 – Sailing Home
“It looks like we’ll have a weather window with E wind in three days” says Ivar. Neither of us feels like going back, but our fourth and last holiday week has…
31 July 2015 – The Norwegian Riviera
Goodmorning Mandal “A gift from the harbour master!” says Ivar when he finds a little bag in the cockpit that contains fresh bread and jam. Following a good…
We’re on our way to Norway! Beautiful weather and a calm sea
14 July 2015 – Test Run to Norway
"The wheel is not responding!” I panic a bit: we’re “not in command”. The autopilot continuously spins the steering wheel, which should stop after 3 cycles when the…
The Brandaris lighthouse welcomes us to Terschelling
5 January 2015 – “Maiden” Trip to Terschelling
Finally - after 15 months of renovations, we are sailing again! Our first trip is taking us to an old time favourite: the island of Terschelling. We leave…