December 19, 2025 I arrived at the marina last Monday evening to find poor BEHEMOTH still wrapped in plastic and with her batteries dying. From the day she was taken out of the water to get new teak on her deck and her bottom painted to the moment I stepped aboard in her slip she … Continue reading Marina Vista Mar (Panama). Costly local politics and cartels; a long-time on the road (some books); perspectives for 2026
October 19, 2025 In late July, while still in Panama, I had drafted a journal entry about our cruising in Islas las Perlas after we crossed the canal. A couple of weeks ago I finally got to edit the post but it was gone. Something went wrong with the Microsoft Apps I had been using … Continue reading Hua Hin: Frustration, Spain and Panama/Galapagos Update
July 12, 2025 Before departing Shelter Bay marina I got an e-mail from Webb Chiles with a brief commentary about his experience crossing the channel in RESURGAM. “[…]. But overall I don’t like the canal because while in it your boat and your life are not your own.” True. We made it across with almost … Continue reading La Playita Marina, Panamá: On the Pacific side; missed anniversary.
July 5, 2025 I just boarded BEHEMOTH a couple of hours ago. She needs love and care. There was supposed to be somebody here at Shelter Bay Marina, for whom I pay extra, taking care of her and, among other things, making sure she is always beautiful and elegant, but he didn’t do a good … Continue reading COLON, PANAMA: walking with my father; sailing in the pacific
November 13, 2024 I left Bangkok on Friday November 1st. Destination, Paris where I spent the night and part of Saturday before taking another flight to Zurich and then Johannesburg and Maputo. The beginning of a ~5 weeks trip that also includes Rabat, Quito, Cartagena, Panama (sailing BEHEMOTH), and San Diego. From there back to … Continue reading Around the World: first leg Paris and Ponta do Ouro
July 24, 2024 Writing in the main cabin while drinking coffee. Natalia is on the other side of the round table reading the news on her IPad. Marina is in the galley making pancakes and sausages. BEHEMOTH is almost still charmed by a gentle breeze from the north. I just came back from a short … Continue reading Islas del Rosario: good times, bad times
March 13, 2024 I'm late with this update, couldn’t get to write it down. And not because something bad happened in Cartagena. On the contrary, overall, things went well. I was finally able to sail BEHEMOTH, and what a wonderful sailboat she is. It happened on Tuesday, February 27th. Three crew came along: Hector, BEHEMOTH’s … Continue reading Bangkok: Cartagena’s epilog, LDL down, Dorian Gray, genes vs. chance
February 24, 2024 I arrived at Marina Club de Pesca in Cartagena, where BEHEMOTH resides, seven days ago. Even though this is not a sailing vacation, I have enjoyed my time here. During the day, BEHEMOTH has usually several people on board involved in different jobs; engine, generator, electricity, refrigeration to name a few. I … Continue reading Cartagena: BEHEMOTH’s whereabouts
January 16, 2024 Updates about my stay in Cartagena and BEHEMOTH’s preparations were interrupted abruptly. The main reason, there wasn’t much to report, only my frustration with the whole situation. The boatyard had almost a year to complete a series or jobs, the most important fixing BEHEMOTH engine. Before I took the plane to Cartagena … Continue reading Bangkok: Cartagena’s epilog, Casa Blanca, and new developments with the blue monster
It's Friday morning and my landlord's driver, Hossein, is taking me to the department of motor vehicles in his white Vespa, slaloming between cars in the freeway. I'm seating in the back tense and immobile so as not to disrupt the balance. We have a mission: registering the motorbike and getting new plates. Can it … Continue reading Beirut: Chaos,Greek Gods, 260 Kms
Sailing to the Pacific 