oceano-gemma-delfiniWe finally see land in the distance. It is a faint strip of light grey against the dark blue of the ocean. We are slowly approaching Barbados, and these last few miles seem to last forever!

We are so impatient to place our feet on the ground that these last 3 hours that separate Zoe from the customs dock run very slow.

Formalities to enter the island are fairly strict and complicated. First, when you enter the Barbados waters you must fly the yellow “Q” flag, that means you still have to make clearance at the customs. Then, when you get closer to the port you must report your position by radio. and get instructions which will inevitably lead you to the commercial port where you will be asked to temporarily moore at the waiting dock. Once our passports and boat documents will have been checked we will be allowed to anchor (only in a very well defined area, Carlisle bay) or proceed to the Careenage, the inner basin where Bridgetown is located.

Last night was the most engaging among the 23 nights spent in the passage. We had squalls, wind at 30+ knots, waves 4-5 meters high. This is to confirm the common place that the last part of anything s the most difficult and tricky. Though we realize that these were not exceptional conditions, and that we were quite lucky in experiencing on average much quieter status. Thank you Atlantic Ocean, for treating us so gently!

We are now experiencing ambivalent feelings. On one side we can’t wait to be on ground and return to normal life rhythms, on the other side we will definitely miss the borderless, and always varying, landscape that accompanied us in the last 3+ weeks.

100 nautical miles to go!
Arrived in Barbados!

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