Cruising Notes

Given in good faith, but not to be taken as gospel

These pages contain information which may be of interest to other cruising yotties and also, in some instances, to backpackers and to tourists in general. The sentiments and ideas expressed herein definitely reflect those of the crew of the yacht Mollymawk… but we’ve done our best to make sure that the information is accurate. When it isn’t, don’t yell at us; tell us, please. Then we can make corrections. Either fill in the comment box at the end of the relevant article or, if you prefer anonymity, use the contact form.

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IF YOU VISIT ANY OF THESE PLACES AND YOU FIND ANY OF THIS INFORMATION TO BE OUT OF DATE, OR OTHERWISE INCORRECT, PLEASE LET US KNOW.

Canary Islands

There is a lot more to the Canaries than Playa Ingles and the holiday resort night clubs. Indeed, you don’t need to go anywhere near those places: instead you can discover the Island of the Hippies, the caves where the ancient inhabitants lived, the mills which once crushed corn, the cloud-forest, an old abandoned port, the snow wells… and much more.
Whether you view them as a cruising ground in their own right or as stepping stones on the journey from Europe to the Americas, the Canary Islands are very valuable to the yachtsman; and present-day Spanish officialdom being about as laid-back as any in the world we are able to enjoy them with no hassles whatsoever.
These notes cover a mere handful of anchorages on just five of the islands.

Also see the list of all articles tagged “Canaries”.

Cape Verde Islands

The Cape Verde islands are the new Canaries. If you want to see them in their pristine state – the way the Canaries were thirty or forty years ago – you’re just a wee bit too late.
On the other hand, if you want marinas, restaurants, and a Western mentality (which ensures that the planes run to a schedule and the supermarkets stock cheddar cheese and fresh butter) leave it another ten or twenty years.
At the moment the only marina is in Mindelo, the planes take off when the pilot is good and ready, and the only supermarkets worthy of the name are in Praia. Oh, and, right now, you don’t want to go to Praia.

Also see the list of all articles tagged “Cape Verde”.

Caribbean

These articles contain more anecdote than hard fact, but some of the information may still be of interest to visitors to the islands.

Also see the list of all articles tagged “Caribbean”.

Brazil

Also see the list of all articles tagged “Brazil”.

Miscellaneous

 

IF YOU VISIT ANY OF THESE PLACES AND YOU FIND ANY OF THIS INFORMATION TO BE OUT OF DATE, OR OTHERWISE INCORRECT, PLEASE LET US KNOW.