Winter in Seychelles

A few years ago, we spent a winter sailing around the Seychelles aboard a luxurious catamaran. As the rest of the world bundled up for the cold, we immersed ourselves in a paradise of warm sun, gentle breezes, and crystal-clear waters. It was a dreamy escape that captured the epitome of adventure and relaxation.

Navigating the Indian Ocean on a catamaran offers a unique perspective of Seychelles’ 115 islands, each a vibrant jewel surrounded by a turquoise expanse. In our travels, we explored a few of the more notable beaches but were nowhere close to even half of these islands.

Sailing allowed us to enjoy the islands’ beauty more privately and intimately. With the catamaran as our base, we had the freedom to explore at our own pace, snorkeling in vibrant coral gardens, kayaking in secluded coves, and indulging in fresh seafood feasts prepared by our onboard chef.

When not under sail, we enjoyed the other beauties of the Seychelles. Towering granite boulders scattered across the islands lend an air of mystique, while the lush foliage of ancient palm trees and vibrant wildlife create a beautiful blend of colors and textures. Seychelles’ untouched landscapes, diverse ecosystems, and warm culture coalesce into an exquisite tapestry.

As the sun set over the Indian Ocean, casting warm hues across the sky, we realized that our winter spent here created an indelible chapter of enchantment in our life’s story.

Climbing Kilimanjaro

In 2017, we embarked on an incredible adventure to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa. Located in Tanzania, Kilimanjaro is an icon of natural beauty and a formidable physical challenge. 

Over the course of several days, we climbed through varying landscapes, from lush rainforests to rocky terrain, and faced numerous challenges along the way. Despite the physical and mental obstacles we encountered, we pushed ourselves to reach the summit and bask in the euphoric feeling of accomplishment.

Our trip to climb Kilimanjaro was not just a test of our endurance and determination but also a profound experience of cultural immersion, exploration, and camaraderie.

The final ascent to the summit involves scaling steep and icy terrain while enduring sub-zero temperatures and low oxygen levels. However, for those who successfully reach the top, the reward is an unparalleled sense of accomplishment and breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. Of our group, only three made it to the frozen pinnacle: Amber Guthrie was one of those three.

Sailing

For me, sailing offers a unique combination of adventure, relaxation, and the freedom to explore the open water. There is a sense of serenity that comes with trimmed sails and a full spinnaker, propelling you silently across the water.

My sailing career began on Kismet, a 36′ Catalina MkII sailboat moored in San Francisco Bay in the early 2000s.

In San Francisco, the sailing season is from March to October. During these months, I could be found crewing Kismet on day sails around the bay and out into the open water beyond the Golden Gate Bridge.

Sailing is a magical sport, but it’s not for everyone.

I’ve loved the harrowing rush of heeling at 15 and 25 degrees under full sails and rushing wind, to the relaxing day without wind, simply motoring the city front on a calm sunny day.

Sailing isn’t always about the power of the wind or the waves. Sailing is also medium for bringing people together and enjoying the beauty of being on the water.

After moving to the UAE, we were fortunate enough to occasionally crew Snowbird, a 36′ Bennateau moored in the Dubai Offshore Sailing Club.

The Club recently held its annual end-of-season raft-up at the Dubai World Islands. While it wasn’t a day of sailing, it was a great community-building event.

And the coup de grâce of the day was this amazing picture taken from a Club member who was piloting a flight out of Dubai on our raft-up day!