As a teenager, I was interested in square-rigged sailing ships and avidly read the adventures of the Alan Villiers and Eric Newbys who had sailed on the last commercial square rigged ships from the 1920’s to the commencement of WWII in 1939. So on retirement, I looked at my bucket lists -inspired by the deaths of friends much younger of cancer- that perhaps I should try to live a little and still within my retirement budget. I had planned one big trip with my wife. On trolling the internet, I was stunned to find that a Dutch barque, the Europa, sailed annually from Europe to South America, with accomodation for 48 ‘trainees’ and fourteen professional crew. From South America, she sailed in the warmer winter months down there to Antarctica and the South Georgias for travellers to experience the unique and isolated islands and land with thousands of penquins, seals, whales, birds etc.
After a discussion with my wife, and with her joining me in Argentina and Uruguay for a joint month of travel after-the compromise for me was to take a night school Spanish class- I booked a 75 day voyage from Rotterdam to Montevideo as a trainee or as we preferred to call ourselves, voyagers. The Europa’s office via internet was delightful and very helpful. By booking several segments which had ports along gthe way, I received a discount. Then the studying of knots, trying to get the ship’s lines placing memorized and physically preparing. On leaving Rotterdam, after rough weather in the Channel, it was a delightful experience with watches, lookout duty, team sail handling on the deck-up to you if you wanted to climb and handle sails, and learning to helm a three masted square rigged ship in various weathers was great. With nature determining your day, although a couple of war surplus diesels helped when the wind deserted us, it was a fabulous if not spiritual connection with the sea. Whales, porpoises, sea birds and sealife were a daily expectation fulfilled. Did I enjoy it?
I just finished a second 74 day voyage on the Europa from Cape Town to Perth across the Indian Ocean, in company with two other smaller sailing vessels. A bit rougher and colder as expected after the warmth of Reunion and Mauritius were left behind. My wife joined me in Australia where she had a relative unseen in years so a good holiday for both. And of course, narrow gauge railways in Western Australia still exist…Do it again? If I win the lotto only but yes!
Myron
See their website if curious www.barkeuropa.com