Not perfect.
Written March 16, Simpson Bay Lagoon, St. Martin
“Have no fear of perfection, you’ll never reach it”
– Salvador Dalí
When things are less than perfect aboard Cedar, I sometimes wonder what an ideal cruising experience would look like.
Here are a few ideas that come to mind:
- There would always be ample and easily accessible fresh water. Perhaps you could even make it on board. (That’s not a hint to the skipper, nope.)
- All anchorages would be stable with good holding, and all passages would be pleasant with small swells and friendly winds.
- There would be no seasickness. Ever.
- Crew would be polite and have fresh breath and no body odour.
- There would be steak, wine and green salad suppers all the time.
- There would always be good coffee and fresh fruit in the morning.
- There might be a washing machine on board (!) and water to use in it. (Hang on, did I already say that?)
- There would always be a good wifi connection. You know, for weather.
- You would have an intuitive and well designed curriculum to use for home schooling.
- Or there is no homeschooling at all (!), and instead more time to sightsee, snorkel, dive, socialize and sleep.
Now that’s more like it!
Alas cruising is not a holiday. Cruising is normal life continued on a boat.
And it is a normal life that wouldn’t be complete without salty dampness, hot sun, smelly clothes, sleepless nights and cheap starchy meals. And don’t forget the cramped quarters and cabin fever.
But it is also a life of sundowners with interesting people in multi-lingual beach bars. It is being out in the fresh air and sunshine every day. It is making new friends (who teach you how to make yogurt, or show you an secret dive site), and sharing books, movies, music and time. It is getting soaked in a squall and not caring, because you’ll be dry again, and having the time of your life, in 10 minutes.
Maybe sailing makes it easier to have the right perspective; I think it helps me to let go and forget what I planned, and to just go with the flow.