Smoke and Roses - Escape To Devil's Island

Leg 17 Total Distance 2034 Nautical MilesFirst Half of Leg Logged 1061 Nautical Miles, 7 Days 6.5 Hours171 Hours and 40 Minutes Sailing, 80 Minutes Motoring March 8 – 15Cabedelo, Brazil to Devil’s Island, French Guiana Leg 17 from Cabedelo, Brazil to Grenada is the last leg of our World ARC Cruise, we will sail for 2034 nautical miles from the South Atlantic, across the equator into the North Atlantic and then the Caribbean Sea with an optional 24 hour stop at Devil’s Island, eight miles off the coast of French Guiana.The French penal colony known as Devil’s Island was established in 1852, it’s a network of tiny seemingly serene islands that have been mostly forgotten about by the rest of the world…unimaginable things happened here. Over a period of nearly 100 years around 70,000. read more...

Smoke and Roses - Disappointments In Brazil

Logged 242 Nautical Miles, 3 8.75 Hours737.25 Hours Sailing, 1.5 Hours MotoringFebruary 22 - March 7Fernando De Noronah to Cabedelo Cabedelo, Brazil is situated approximately 100 nautical miles south of Natal where the Rio Paraiba enters the sea. It is on the eastern bank of the northern Paraiba River estuary.We traveled the 1 ½ days, 242 nautical mile trip from Fernando to Cabedelo mostly by ourselves. With 15 knots of wind at 110 degrees was a smooth, fast sail. A Brazilian coast guard plane buzzed us mid-morning then called on WHF 16 for information on our last and next ports as well as how many on board. It is always comforting to know coastal waters are being patrolled. Reefs were put in the sails to slow us down for a morning arrival. Our timing was perfect, after motoring. read more...

Smoke and Roses - Fun and Prizes For Everyone

Logged 1114 Nautical Miles, 8 Days 2.75 Hours158.5 Hours Sailing 36.25 Hours MotoringFebruary 10 – 21, 2019Ascension Island to Fernando De Noronha Approaching Fernando De Noronha from the east, I was awed with the stunning natural beauty of the islands unique high, rocky peaks and endless sandy beaches. Of the 20 islets in the archipelago Fernando De Noronha is the only inhabited one. 30% of the island is for civil use, the rest is a strictly controlled Marine National Park. The island boasts of having the largest resident population of dolphins in the world.We had some good times and some bad times during the eight day South Atlantic passage from Ascension Island to Fernando De Noronha. Day one was sunny and nice with good sailing on a broad reach with white sails. A fish got on. read more...

Smoke and Roses - East Meets West

February 5 – 10Ascension IslandThis tiny volcanic mass hidden in the vast Atlantic brings us to a simpler time with unique natural wonders and a quaint wholesome lifestyle. During our five day stay on Ascension Island we got to experience one of natures’ natural wonders, visit the residential and military fire stations, hike the amazing Green Mountain, do some touring and snorkeling as well as work on our boats. Kitty at the port office helped us with immigration, customs, fuel orders, rental vehicles, tours and repair services. A short walk up the hill was the main square in the heart of Georgetown, there was a chandlery and the Saints Club with food and drink. They made a tuna noodle pasta bake just for our group. Here we said goodbye to the crew of “Pinta” who was sailing on to Cape. read more...

Smoke and Roses - We Are "GOBOW"

Logged 758 Nautical Miles, 122.5 Hours111.75 Hours Sailing 10.75 Hours MotoringJanuary 31 - February 10St Helena to Ascension IslandI must have been an island girl in a past life as I can’t seem to get enough of theses remote islands with their diverse mountain hikes, stunning beaches, unique flora and fauna as well as the laid back lifestyle of the friendly islanders. In additions to doing some unique hikes on Ascension Island we got to watch the endangered green turtle lay eggs on Long Beach, just inshore from our anchorage.Ascension Island is approximately 700 miles north of St Helena, both islands are UK overseas territories sharing similar climate and remote geographical locations in the South Atlantic between Africa and South America, yet they differ greatly in terrain and ecology.. read more...