Departure from Dakar!

Yesterday I finally received my new passport! Something went wrong with the application at the dutch embassy so it took 3 weeks longer than normal.
 
Today I will set sail to Tobago in the Caribbean. I hope to cross the Atlantic Ocean in roughly three weeks. As I have no shortwave radio nor sat phone, communication will be reduced to talking to the dolphins and passing ships within range of my VHF

I'm looking forward to the trip and I hope to be able to post some beautiful images as soon as I am in Tobago!

Cheers

Paul

Harmattan on the beach, Dakar, Senegal

Harmattan being pulled onto the beach for maintenance, Dakar, Jan 2013.

My new view from the cockpit. In the evening, the beach is full of youngsters playing soccer. In the background an abandoned yacht.

Generally, sailors think that once beyond the Canary Islands getting things done on your boat is complicated and expensive. Here at the yacht club in Dakar however, they haul your boat out of the water at a fraction of the costs of an European marina.

Omar (right) and Tyson (left), two experienced boat workers who did almost all the work.

Applying the first layer of primer

Five more layers to go..

The works can be supervised from the yacht-club's terrace..

Parc Zoologique de Hann (Dakar), Jan 2013.

I am not a big fan of zoos; the picture of this depressed chimpanzee pretty much explains the reason why.

Senegal - Gambia - Senegal, pictures

Club Voilier de Dakar, Dec 2012.

Capitaine Monsieur Paul, Club Voilier de Dakar, Dec 2012

The trip to Banjul was not what one would call an 'epic voyage'..

.. only when I was at the river entrance the wind suddenly started blowing at 25 knots.

Ferry terminal of Banjul

After I cleared customs in Banjul I headed to Oyster creek. However, when I got stuck at the entrance I decided to go straight to Lamin Lodge.

The jetty at Lamin Lodge

Lamin Lodge

Filling the water tank at Lamin Lodge

Early morning, sitting in the cockpit watching the mist creeping through the creek.

On my way from Lamin Lodge to James Island on the river Gambia.

James Island is situated in the middle of the river Gambia. I was lucky to arrive there after five o clock, so all the guides and visitors had gone home and I could explore the island by myself.

After James Island, I continued to Bintang Bolong where I arrived in the dark and dropped anchor just in front of the village.

Bintang Bolong

Bintang Lodge. A beautiful lodge with a large swimming pool and terrace on the water. Yet, I was the only customer. According to the staff, the all-inclusive package deals the big hotel chains in Banjul offer have a significant negative impact on the local lodges and restaurants.

Bintang Lodge

No, this is not a sign of drought nor climate change..

Jetty at Bwiam

Road to Bwiam