So you want to play too?

So you want to play too? Well its only natural!

We love to have visitors but due to the somewhat unusual nature of the life we lead, there are a few things that you might want to think about before planning a trip to the sun!

Firstly - our route plans for 2009, but then read on.....

Due to work commitments, there has been a bit of a delay returning to the Caribbean.  As such, it is unlikely, although not impossible, that we will head for the Pacific this year - maybe we will keep it for next spring.  Instead, we will probably 'hang out' in the Caribbean for a few months, maybe stopping by Cuba, before heading up towards New York for the summer and to escape the hurricane season (the end of June until November.  Following this, we will probably head back down to the Caribbean or to Central America around November/December and then Panama for a trip through the canal around the end of February.

All this means its much easier to come and visit us now.  Flights to the Caribbean and US are pretty reasonable. The only trip we cant have visitors is the one that takes us into US waters for the first time... unless you have a visa!

You may have noticed the large number of 'probablys' and 'maybes' in the last section.  All of these destinations and timings are our current plans.  It is very difficult for us to say with any certainty where we will be at any given time due to a multitude of factors - the weather being key, but also bureaucracy delaying our arrival or departure, boat problems, political situations and the fact that we may have found somewhere better to go!  In general terms, when sailing, you head in the direction of....  Its also deemed bad luck to name your destination!

Now if you decide to come and join us, then of course we will do our best to arrange things so that we are present when you arrive.  Getting you to the correct place for you to leave again can occasionally be a bit more difficult!

What this means in practical terms:

We will do our best to meet you and drop you off but be prepared to do your own thing in case we don't, or can't, rendezvous.  We may be a day late but could easily be delayed by a week or two.  It hasn't happened much yet, but it could very easily!

When you come to visit, we will gladly show you how we live our lives on a day to day basis.  From now on, that will generally mean a fair bit of sailing and diving etc.  What it also means is that we are working to a much tighter budget - we don't have much money to spare.  Whilst it may be a holiday for you and you might want to eat out and spend a bit, its much harder for us to do so.  That doesn't mean don't do it, but more often than not, we won't be able to join you.  We are happy with that, if you are too!  It would be nice to have a little contribution towards food, booze and laundry etc, but don't worry, its generally very cheap out there.

As you can see above, we do have a plan.  Much of that plan is time dependent in order to avoid weather patterns etc.  Occasionally we may need to stay in one place for a prolonged period or sometimes pay a flying visit.  As such, you could end up with much of your holiday in one spot.  I'm afraid there's not much we can do about this, its a factor of how we live - but we will try to give you as much notice as possible so you can plan your stay - maybe indulge in a spot of diving!

For those wanting to do an offshore trip, then we will tell you more about what to expect, what you need to bring with you and what to leave behind.  Longer trips can be great fun but are sometimes rough and thus can occasionally a bit more physically demanding. 

So, in a nutshell, if you want to visit, thats roughly where we will be.  If you want to experience what its like to live long term on a yacht in the tropics, or want to brush up your sailing, navigation, swimming, snorkeling or diving then it would be lovely to see you, but, 'to avoid disappointment' please read the section above - we don't want to lose friends over it!