Around the world – 40,000 videos and over 100,000 photos later, here we are, trying to sum up all these impressions in a few words. An almost impossible task. For How can one limit the infinite, squeeze our experiences into sentences, or even compress them into a single film?
So many countries, so many places – and above all: so many people. Memories that stay with you. Smiles that bring us together. Strangers who become friends. Every single story unique, every memory a tiny piece of the mosaic that is this great journey.
We have discovered cultures that left us in wonder, and experienced cuisines that touched all the senses. Markets full of colours and flavours, fresh fish straight from the sea, artistic craftsmanship that tells stories. Landscapes that are constantly changing – from gentle hills to rough seas, from endless beaches to rugged coastlines.
And no, it’s not always just the picture of the perfect cocktail at sunset. It’s also the challenges that shape this journey: repairs that demand patience, waiting for spare parts somewhere far away. Days with more wind than one would care for, waves bigger than one ever imagined. And thunderstorms that sweep over us with lightning and thunder, teaching us a lesson in humble acceptance.
Yet it is precisely these moments that stay with us. The adventures, big and small, the unexpected twists – often it is precisely the stories that go wrong that are later recounted with a smile. Perhaps one day, with a twinkle in the eye, as the best stories of all.
Because in the end, that is exactly what it is: a journey full of life.
#aroundtheworldtrip #outremer_catamarans #sailinglife #wanderlust
May 2
We left Kyparissia in 2020 and turned west towards Gibraltar. The Atlantic called. Portugal gave us one last pause with family before we set off.
Trade winds carried us past Cape Verde to the Caribbean — Barbados, the Grenadines, Martinique—then on to the San Blas Islands and through the Panama Canal into the Pacific.
The Pacific delivered: Galápagos wildlife, the wild beauty of the Marquesas, endless Tuamotus atolls, and the dreamlike Society Islands. We pushed south to New Zealand, then north again—Tonga’s humpback whales, Fiji’s reefs, Vanuatu’s volcanoes, and the untouched Lousiades of Papa New Guinea
Through the Torres Strait into Indonesia—Komodo dragons, whale sharks, and Borneo’s jungles. A lightning strike in Malaysia slowed us down, but after months of repairs we sailed on, exploring Thailand with our kids.
Indian Ocean: To the Maldives, then raw and surreal Socotra. Gulf of Aden, and a Red Sea which challenged us, finally we reached the Suez Canal and were finally back into the Mediterranean.
After
* 35.541 nautical miles
* 2.080 days
* 250 trolleys of groceries carried to the boat
* 67.420 liter drinking water produced (with one set of membranes of the water maker)
* 1 Gennaker UV damaged and ripped
* 1 Spinnaker ripped and repaired
* 2 times Main sail repaired
* 4 times sail bag repaired and design changed/enhanced
* 4 times dinghy cover repaired and at least 20 patches added
* 2 new Topping Lifts
* 2 new Main Halyards
* 2 new Genoa Furler (on one day)
* 2 Cockpit cushions, 1 hat and 2 caps lost to the sea
* 1 new outboard carburetor and 4 new impellers
* 1 autopilot failure 2 days before we reached Tonga
* 6 times diesel engine maintenance, 1 water pump failure, 2 heat exchangers clogged
* 5 fresh water pump repairs and 2 new ones
* 67 squalls and thunderstorms
* 1 lightning strike, 90 electrical devices fried
* …
we closed the loop off Kyparissia, crossing our own wake.
One lap around the planet. A lifetime of stories and memories of all the beautiful people, locals and fellow sailors we bonded with.⛵🌍✨ #outremer_catamarans #sailing #around_theworld #bluewatersailing
Apr 28
Leaving Kalamata, the route starts off gently along the Gulf of Messenia. With the sea on the left and olive groves on the right, and little villages every now and then where you can stop for a moment, you have a view of the water almost the whole time.
Gradually, the mountains come closer. The Taygetos mountains initially appear as a backdrop, then you find yourself right in the middle of them. The roads become narrower and more winding, and the route climbs gently. Instead of beach bars, there are suddenly stone houses and less traffic. You drive through forests, past small villages; at times, it all feels rather remote. #outremer_catamarans #sailing #worldtraveler #wanderlust #greece
Apr 25
We’re back on the move and hope to make our way to Kalamata over the next two days, despite the weather conditions still being a bit unpredictable at the moment. Winds of up to 71 knots are forecast up here – so things are likely to be anything but pleasant in the port of Rhodes, where we were last.
Our aim is to reach Kalamata by Tuesday evening at the latest, as strong westerly winds are forecast to set in after that. This does put us under a bit of time pressure, but we remain confident and are making our way through the Greek islands step by step.
The conditions are challenging, but we remain optimistic. #sailing #outremercatamaran #bluewatersailing #greece #sailinglife
Mar 29
Through the Suez Canal with the JAMS ⚓️
The final stretch from Suez to Ismailia had a few more surprises in store for us. Things got off to a flying start in the anchorage: whilst hauling up the anchor, our chain got snagged somewhere. It took us a good half an hour to free it again with a bit of patience and manoeuvring – it was a bit of a scare for a moment, but all ended well in the end.
Things then got properly rough in the Gulf of Suez. Winds of up to 26 knots, sand in the air and short, steep waves. And as if that weren’t enough, large cargo ships came towards us at considerable speed – their waves gave us a good shaking from the side. So everything on board was flying back and forth.
Luckily, we had a really nice and experienced pilot on board who gave us fantastic support. You can’t do anything here in the Suez Canal without a pilot anyway. The canal is, after all, one of the world’s most important shipping routes, so there’s always something going on.
Now we’re finally in the Port of Ismailia and are enjoying the peace and quiet for a bit. Time to catch our breath before we wait for the next weather window to head for Crete.
#Suez #sailing #sailinglife #bluewatersailing #outremercatamaran
Mar 22
The Red Sea really does have a way of keeping things interesting. And by that we don’t mean the stories about rebels, pirates or the tensions that are already in the air here at the moment. From a purely sailing perspective, this stretch is a real challenge.
On the Eritrean side, it’s best not to even think about stopping. In Sudan, on the other hand, there are certainly a few bays where you can anchor safely. The coastline there offers plenty of sheltered spots that allow for a welcome break.
The situation is quite different on the Saudi Arabian side. There is practically only one port you’re allowed to call at: Jeddah. However, this stop has its price – and a rather steep one at that.
At the moment we are on the Egyptian side. There are several anchorages here, but they are all behind reefs. In strong winds they are almost impossible to reach, and that is precisely what makes things complicated. The wind itself seems unable to make up its mind anyway: sometimes it comes from behind, with gusts of up to 33 knots, then again directly from the front. Today, the gusts of up to 33 knots cost us our storm spinnaker.
We now have about 310 miles to go to Suez. We are sailing alertly and with concentration, and are already looking forward to the moment when we can leave this particular stretch behind us.
#outremercatamaran #sailing #sailinglife #redsea
Mar 15
Djibouti is located in the Horn of Africa, directly on the strategically important Bab al-Mandab Strait between the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. A large part of world trade passes through here – and JAMS is anchored right in the middle of it. When you look at the coast from the boat, you quickly realise that this place is different from many other cities.
In Djibouti City, much of it feels like a mixture of Africa and the Arab world. The streets are sandy and dusty, people from a wide variety of cultures are everywhere. Afar, Somali, Ethiopian, Arab, European and Asian – almost every ethnic group seems to be represented here. That’s exactly why the city feels like a melting pot.
Looking towards the harbour from the water, you can immediately see how lively this place is. The Port of Djibouti is constantly on the move. Next to large cargo ships are many smaller boats loaded with livestock – sheep and goats brought across the sea from Yemen. Traders shout in unison, animals bleat, cranes move containers – a bustling atmosphere.
At the same time, Djibouti is a geopolitical hotspot. Several world powers operate military bases here. The USA is represented, along with bases from France, Japan and Italy. Particularly noteworthy is China’s first permanent military base outside its own country.
Even when clearing customs, you notice how international and military-dominated the place is. Our fingerprints are scanned using equipment from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service. This service – often simply referred to as NCIS – is the civilian investigative agency of the US Navy and Marine Corps. Its tasks include investigating crimes within the Navy, counter-espionage, counter-terrorism, cybercrime and the protection of American military personnel worldwide.
Despite this global significance, the contrasts are also evident in everyday life. Many foodstuffs have to be imported and prices are high – sometimes even a simple loaf of toast costs the equivalent of up to twelve US dollars. While major powers pursue strategic interests here, Djibouti remains one thing above all else for visitors: a dusty, hot and fascinating meeting place between Africa, Arabia and the world.
Mar 5
Arrived in Djibouti …
For month now, we have been observing the movements of the American armed forces with great attention; we are convinced that war was only a matter of time. For a sailing boat wanting to return to the Mediterranean via the Suez Canal, the current situation makes every decision and every planned route more difficult.
The Strait of Aden, once feared for its Somali pirate-infested waters, has been under increased military surveillance for years, significantly reducing the risks. However, for the past two years, the Houthis, in solidarity with Hamas and supported by Iran, have been targeting cargo ships in the region, attempting to destroy them with mines or drones. The few sailing boats – between 50 and 80 each year – that venture into these waters have so far escaped these attacks.
When we arrive in Djibouti tomorrow, after leaving the crowded shipping lanes, we will wait for a weather window, an essential condition for crossing the Bab el-Mandeb Strait – the 25-kilometre-wide strait between Djibouti and Yemen, through which a significant portion of global maritime traffic passes. This strategic location has already been the scene of numerous attacks by the Houthis.
The recent bombing of Iran has ended the ceasefire agreed upon several months ago, and the attacks could continue any day.
We have little choice: to cross the strait at the first opportunity, perhaps as early as Thursday, or to wait and see how events unfold, at the risk of being trapped. #djibouti
Mar 2
Day 2 on Socotra – camping at the foot of a 300-metre-high sand dune!
The sand dunes on Socotra consist of fine, light-coloured sand that has been shaped by the wind over thousands of years. The landscape seems almost surreal – like a miniature desert on an island, the kind you would otherwise only find in distant desert regions. Jörg even climbed the dune and was rewarded with a spectacular view.
In the evening, we drove to Sheba Marker, a well-known viewpoint that is perfect for enjoying the golden hour. The sunset on Socotra is a unique experience: shortly before the sun goes down, the sky above the dunes turns bright shades of gold and orange. The sun sets here in the late afternoon around 5:00–5:30 p.m. Unfortunately, it was too windy for a campfire.
The next morning began with a breathtaking sunrise that bathed the sandy plains in flowing gold and made the contours of the dunes appear even more dramatic.
#socotra #sanddune #adventures #naturalwonders #camping
Feb 24
Dunes of Socotra #sailing #outremercatamaran #wanderlust #toursocotra
Feb 23
The dragon’s blood tree is an extraordinary species of tree, known primarily for its distinctive umbrella-shaped crown and dark red resin, which is referred to as „dragon’s blood“. These trees are endemic to the island of Socotra in Yemen, meaning that they only occur in the wild in this one location. They grow mainly on dry mountain plateaus and at altitudes ranging from several hundred to over 1,400 metres, where they receive additional moisture from fog and dew.
Dragon’s blood trees grow extremely slowly. Many specimens reach an age of up to 600 years, and it can take decades for them to reach a significant height. This slow growth rate makes them particularly vulnerable to threats such as climate change, overgrazing by goats and water shortages.
The resin extracted from these trees is deep red and oozes from the bark when the tree is damaged. This resin, historically known as dragon’s blood, has been used in many ways since ancient times, including as a colouring agent, medicine and incense.
Breeding dragon’s blood trees is challenging because the plants grow very slowly. Special nurseries have been set up because goats would otherwise simply nibble the young trees.
Its natural distribution is limited to the island of Socotra, particularly the mountainous regions and plateaus. #socotra #toursocotra #dragonbloodtree #wanderlust #sailing
Feb 23
We have just returned from a two-day camping trip on the island of Socotra – and it was nothing short of spectacular. We organised everything through Tour Socotra (https://toursocotra.com/). The provider organises both multi-day tours with camping and day trips – both of which are highly recommended. The organisation was reliable, the guides incredibly knowledgeable, and you can tell that they really love their island.
An absolute highlight was the famous forest of dragon’s blood trees on the Dixam plateau. With their umbrella-shaped crowns, these iconic trees look like giant mushrooms. The dragon’s blood tree is an endemic species – it is found only on Socotra worldwide. It owes its name to the deep red resin, known as „dragon’s blood“.
In the evening sun, the atmosphere is almost surreal and mystical. It feels like walking through a prehistoric landscape.
Socotra is famous for its extraordinary biodiversity – around a third of its plant species are found only here. This includes the bottle tree, or desert rose. This endemic variant of the desert rose has a massively thickened trunk that stores water. Its bizarre, bulbous shapes have a sculptural effect. When in bloom, they bear delicate pink flowers – an impressive contrast to the barren, rocky landscape.
The cucumber tree is another special feature – actually a tree-shaped pumpkin plant! The thick, succulent trunk stores water, while the small leaves appear relatively inconspicuous.
We spent the night in a tent at an altitude of about 800 metres on the high plateau. During the day it was pleasantly warm, but as soon as the sun went down, the temperatures dropped significantly. It became very cold – with strong winds and clear, dry air. Warm clothing is absolutely essential here!
Socotra is a place like no other on Earth. Unique landscapes, special flora and warm hospitality make the island a special place. We will never forget Socotra.#sailing #redsea #socotra_island #dragonbloodtree #wanderlust
Feb 23
Two days ago, we woke up to a nasty surprise: the straps connecting the tack of the mainsail to the gooseneck had ripped apart.
There hadn’t been much wind overnight, but there was swell — enough to make the main slam. After 7 years, countless days under tropical sun, and more than 30,000 nautical miles, the straps had finally had enough.
We put in a reef immediately and started to think about: how do you fix the tack of a mainsail in the middle of nowhere?
This part of the sail is built from multiple layers of Hydranet, designed to take enormous loads. Hand-sewing wasn’t an option without proper sailmaking gear.
We drilled holes in the rub rails and the mainsail reinforcement patch, cut the rails to the required length, and fastened the lifeline straps to the sail to create a new, solid tack connection.
A few hours later, the mainsail had a new tack.
We shook out the reef and are very happy with the result.
It’s heavier than before.
And it’s very solid. #sailing #outremercatamaran #bluewatersailing #yachting #worldtraveler
Feb 17
We are ready to clear customs in the Maldives.
We have refuelled with diesel, carried out another rig inspection, taken fresh food on board, done a bit of snorkelling and will soon be continuing on our way to Socotra.
Feb 12
Atmospheric impressions from the Maldives ❤️
Feb 11
We reached Uligan after 9 days and 14 hours. Our JAMS has been cleared through customs.
Uligan is an inhabited island in the far north of the Maldives with a population of around 500. Far away from mass tourism, it represents authentic Maldivian island life with traditional houses and a relaxed everyday atmosphere. White sandy beaches, turquoise lagoons and a species-rich underwater world characterise the landscape.
Thanks to its northern location, Uligan is an important port of entry for sailing ships and often the first or last stop when entering or leaving the Maldives. There are no large resorts here yet – perfect for those who want to experience authentic island life.
We have some boat work to do before we continue our journey towards Socotra. #sailing #outremer_catamarans #wanderlust
Feb 10
We have now left Thailand behind us. We have had a few very successful and intense days. Our crew, Greta and Niels from BlackMoon, arrived and together we took care of the provisioning. Countless food supplies were stowed on board, every storage compartment was used – the boat is now filled to the brim and prepared to be self-sufficient for about two months.
We then undertook several test sails, adjusting and tightening the rig once more until everything was perfect. We spent our evenings with friends, enjoying the incredibly delicious Thai food one last time and relaxing at the end of each day.
To clear customs went completely smoothly. A final evening together followed, during which we completed our passage planning to the Maldives. We also experienced one last, beautifully glowing sunset. Next stop is Uligan in the Maldives....
#sailing #sailinglife #outremercatamaran #worldtraveler #yachting
Jan 30
We had a wonderful time in Thailand. We got to meet lots of friends, experienced unforgettable moments with our children and drifted through the fascinating island world around Phuket. We discovered beautiful beaches, swam in turquoise waters and enjoyed lots of good food.
Now, however, a new stage of our journey is beginning. The boat is being provisioned and carefully prepared so that we can cover the long distance to the Mediterranean safely and relaxed. In a few days, we will also be getting reinforcements: Greetje and Niels from the SV Blackmoon @sailingblackmoon @greetjetops will be coming on board and accompanying us on this long leg of the journey to the Mediterranean. We are very much looking forward to spending time together and to the many nautical miles that lie ahead of us. #sailing #outremer_catamarans #aroundtheworldtrip #suezcanal @jasonball_ @anitaball66 @petra.nickisch @aquamarine_sandra @uhuruoflondon
Jan 21
Ko Panyi is a small island inhabited by a Muslim fishing tribe originally from Malaysia and Indonesia. The village’s famous „floating“ character is due to geographical conditions: the island does not offer enough space for traditional houses, which is why the village was built on stilts above the water. This unique construction makes Ko Panyi a fascinating destination in Phang Nga Bay. #kopanyi #floatingvillage illage #Thailand #sailing #outremer_catamarans #wanderlust #culture
Jan 10
With our JAMS and Mona on board, we head for Koh Hong – in strong winds. And people say there’s no wind in Thailand...
We stay overnight at the mooring in Than Bok Khorani National Park.
The island consists of solid karst limestone, which was formed around 250–300 million years ago as the sea bed. Over millions of years, tectonic uplift, weathering and the dissolution of the limestone by rain and sea water formed steep cliffs and caves.
The famous Hong Lagoon is a partially collapsed cave system.
Touristy during the day, quiet at night. #sailing #outremercatamaran #worldtraveler #wanderlust #outremer_catamarans #jamesbondisland #honglagoon
Jan 10
