Fair play for just going for it with zero experience, that’s real adventure! I don’t think I’d ever handle that level of stress, but I can imagine it’s also a lot of fun and memories, and the camaraderie on the boat must be incredible.
Oooh the adventures! So fun to hear them through your writing! And to map out the series of fortunate and unfortunate events that created so many ripples out in the digital nomad community from the trauma bonding experiences of this trip! Beautiful!
Yes, we co-boaters are bonded for life -- especially since this was the one and only voyage. 🌟 And yes, this story will be included in the sequel I'm writing. 👯
Totally! To bring everyone up to speed, Uwe & Matthias hatched the idea of creating a co-working center together while on CoBoat -- which eventually turned into NomadFest, the largest annual nomad gathering in the world.
p.s. NomadFest is June 20-30 this year in Bansko, Bulgaria. I'm speaking too on travel safety. 🤩
Wow! You make this lifestyle sound like so much fun!!! These pics are gorgeous! And I honestly had no idea the Maldives is a Muslim country or that they have such a developed capital!
The nomad life is pretty rad! 🌏 👯 And yes, Malé, the capital is a real trip. It's a true metropolis rising straight out of the sea. This cityscape is definitely not the first image we usually associate with the Maldives.
Wow, seems like there should have been more pre-departure instructions. How were you supposed to know all those things? Anyway, that would be exciting, a great excuse to buy a one-way ticket to Male!
Please please please know that not all sailing passages are as haphazard as this.
If anyone ever joins us on SV Duende you may come shopping for provisions before we leave port (cuz its fun) but we will have the spare parts under control. And a crew schedule that pairs experience with newbies for safety. But hey - you made it!
Also, this was pre-Starlink.... Did you have satellite comms for the co-working part?
Biggest thing for me, that pic of Male!!! I thought the Maldives was all like the second pic of the beach.
What an experience. This is the voyage you referenced on your sailing resume when we talked about you coming on Duende!!! hahahaha
I’ve already had a good laugh at the way they describe the boat…
“Designed for self-sustainability, Coboat will use desalinated seawater and employ fishery practices with little impact on the ocean’s marine population and surrounding environment.
Whenever possible, we will sail. If the winds die down, we will power up our engines – using stored energy. Clean and quiet. Just like our electricity. As green as it gets. No oils or fossil fuels on board.”
By desalinated water I guess they mean that they have a water maker, and employing fishery practices with little impact likely means a fishing line and hooks. I would hope they are “sailing whenever possible”, they are a catamaran - with sails. And they power up their engines using stored energy. I guess that refers to a starter battery to get their main engine(s) running - which is not exactly unique. And I’d love to know what they power those engines with if there are no oils or fossil fuels on board. Batteries might be charged by solar or wind, but 100% a marine engine on a boat of that vintage runs on fuel. This must be a magical mystery ship.
Can’t wait to read the next installment. Thanks for the entertaining reading Erin!
🎯 Both your experience and bullshit meter are spot on, Linda. Copy like that (written in the days before AI, no less) should have tipped me off -- even as a non-sailor.
So you actually made a circle all night long?
Yes -- we actually made several circles, around and around we went! 🙈
Fair play for just going for it with zero experience, that’s real adventure! I don’t think I’d ever handle that level of stress, but I can imagine it’s also a lot of fun and memories, and the camaraderie on the boat must be incredible.
Actually, it wasn't that stressful for me. No skills = no responsibility! 🤪 Pure fun & games on the high seas.
Oooh the adventures! So fun to hear them through your writing! And to map out the series of fortunate and unfortunate events that created so many ripples out in the digital nomad community from the trauma bonding experiences of this trip! Beautiful!
Also…is this story included into your next book?
Yes, we co-boaters are bonded for life -- especially since this was the one and only voyage. 🌟 And yes, this story will be included in the sequel I'm writing. 👯
"that created so many ripples out in the digital nomad community from the trauma bonding experiences of this trip!"
What a cryptic sentence if you're unfamiliar with all of this…
Totally! To bring everyone up to speed, Uwe & Matthias hatched the idea of creating a co-working center together while on CoBoat -- which eventually turned into NomadFest, the largest annual nomad gathering in the world.
p.s. NomadFest is June 20-30 this year in Bansko, Bulgaria. I'm speaking too on travel safety. 🤩
Wow! You make this lifestyle sound like so much fun!!! These pics are gorgeous! And I honestly had no idea the Maldives is a Muslim country or that they have such a developed capital!
The nomad life is pretty rad! 🌏 👯 And yes, Malé, the capital is a real trip. It's a true metropolis rising straight out of the sea. This cityscape is definitely not the first image we usually associate with the Maldives.
Wow, seems like there should have been more pre-departure instructions. How were you supposed to know all those things? Anyway, that would be exciting, a great excuse to buy a one-way ticket to Male!
💯 For sure. A 90-second safety briefing is ridiculous (and dangerous). Unfortunately, it set the tone for the entire 17-day voyage...
Please please please know that not all sailing passages are as haphazard as this.
If anyone ever joins us on SV Duende you may come shopping for provisions before we leave port (cuz its fun) but we will have the spare parts under control. And a crew schedule that pairs experience with newbies for safety. But hey - you made it!
Also, this was pre-Starlink.... Did you have satellite comms for the co-working part?
Biggest thing for me, that pic of Male!!! I thought the Maldives was all like the second pic of the beach.
Linda, this story is going to make your head spin. 🤯 It was a catastrophe start to finish.
What an experience. This is the voyage you referenced on your sailing resume when we talked about you coming on Duende!!! hahahaha
I’ve already had a good laugh at the way they describe the boat…
“Designed for self-sustainability, Coboat will use desalinated seawater and employ fishery practices with little impact on the ocean’s marine population and surrounding environment.
Whenever possible, we will sail. If the winds die down, we will power up our engines – using stored energy. Clean and quiet. Just like our electricity. As green as it gets. No oils or fossil fuels on board.”
By desalinated water I guess they mean that they have a water maker, and employing fishery practices with little impact likely means a fishing line and hooks. I would hope they are “sailing whenever possible”, they are a catamaran - with sails. And they power up their engines using stored energy. I guess that refers to a starter battery to get their main engine(s) running - which is not exactly unique. And I’d love to know what they power those engines with if there are no oils or fossil fuels on board. Batteries might be charged by solar or wind, but 100% a marine engine on a boat of that vintage runs on fuel. This must be a magical mystery ship.
Can’t wait to read the next installment. Thanks for the entertaining reading Erin!
🎯 Both your experience and bullshit meter are spot on, Linda. Copy like that (written in the days before AI, no less) should have tipped me off -- even as a non-sailor.
Whoa, what a trip, Erin! Adventures on the high seas for sure!
Yes, it was Grand Adventure for sure! ⛵ I can say that now that I'm on the other side. The voyage only got more harrowing with each passing day. 😬
Oh man! Also, so sorry about the loss of your friend.
Thank you, Jeanine. He was an amazing person and created so many good memories for so many.
And quite the dancer! (as are you).
I do love to dance! 👯
https://substack.com/@untoldsorrento/note/p-198530912?r=7wpt4c&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action
This is my latest article. I’d be happy if you read it, Let’s Connect!