Rio de Janeiro

6 November 2023

Rio de Janeiro

Until just before Cabo Frio, the wind was in our favor. However, right before the cape, the wind died down and shifted in the opposite direction. So, we had to continue under motor power. With swells from the front and back, it was a bumpy ride. Once we rounded the cape, the wind was still against us, but the absence of the second swell made it much more pleasant. Sailing along the beautiful coast with rugged mountains and large lagoons in between was not a hardship, even under motor power. We were supposed to arrive in Rio by late afternoon, but because we wanted to take some photos of the Oosterschelde entering Rio de Janeiro, we decided to anchor at Itaipu for the night. This way, we ensured we would have daylight upon arrival. It was a beautiful bay with a lovely beach all around. Several boats and canoes quickly approached to see the new arrival. We received many thumbs up, smiles, and friendly greetings. We felt welcome right away.

The next morning, after breakfast, we weighed anchor and hoisted all the sails. It was a beautifully sunny day, but unfortunately, there was still very little wind. Nevertheless, it was an unforgettable experience for everyone. “We are sailing right into Rio de Janeiro!” Due to the lack of wind, the photo shoot didn’t go as well as we had hoped. Near the airport, the drone had to come down anyway. Hopefully, we’ll have better luck when we depart. Sailing past the iconic Sugarloaf Mountain with Christ the Redeemer on the mountains behind, and Copacabana a little further on… It will stay with me for a while! Once in the bay, we headed to the Museum of Tomorrow, where a berth had been arranged for us. It was a beautiful place to dock, and we immediately attracted a lot of attention. Just before reaching the dock, we lowered the sails to give everyone onshore the opportunity to take a picture. I hope some beautiful photos come our way.

All the formalities were quickly settled, and the ship looked neat and tidy again. It was time for a pleasant last evening with the guests. Just as dinner was in full swing, a massive thunderstorm passed over us. Strong gusts of wind, heavy rain, and lightning all around! The guests had to make the most of the evening themselves, while the crew took some rest or stood watch to monitor the weather’s further developments. Fortunately, it calmed down after a few hours, and by morning, there was no trace of the storm. Today, we cleaned the entire ship, and we are now ready for activities here in Rio. I’m curious to see what kind of spectacle awaits us here. Either way, we’re ready for it!