Lisbon (Cascais) — Malaga

How long ago have you been to Africa? Let alone arriving there by sea, in a wooden tallship, from the end of the world [land's end?a terra se acaba ?]? We are going to Africa, are we salty dogs or what?

“Medinter” [Mediterranean Winter] – the Shtandart's large scale project for the season of 2015-2016 – just crossed its' equator timewise. The ship has sailed around the whole Northern and Central Mediterranean, from West to East and back, but hasn't yet landed on the other continent. This leg is the only chance to touch both lumps of the Earth within a short sea week. 

 

We are meeting at the end of Eurasia, in the Lisbon suburb Cascais. End of February, dark and gloomy in Russia, is the beginning of European Spring here. Warmed up by the hot Portuguese sun and  taking in the warm air, we cut our teeth in seamanship and get ready for the rough everyday life aboard a tallship.

Let's be aware, the voyage to Africa can bring us a handful of surprises in a variety of shades of pleasant. Therefore, we are going to learn to actively work with the anchor, and to react to new circumstances and change tactics lickety-split. We'll have Tangier, the Pearl of Morocco, as a reward for all our hard work. This port is famous for being the capital of financial fraud, spies and smugglers. A real pirate spot! Just what we needed. The goal of plunder is the legendary vast marketplace Casa Barata, that has all sorts of shops, colorful rugs, fakirs, dancers and snake-charmers.

 

But it is crucial to crank up the anchor at the right time, as Africa has low tolerance for bystanders. So with a hint of relief we will leave the exotic shore behind, and head towards Gibraltar, the main gateway to the Mediterranean, to experience a culture salad again, this time under English dressing. Gibraltar officially belongs to Great Britain.

 

We will have a chance to look around, to get the most rare stamp in the passport and to climb the mountain with the obligatory view. Then we will show Gibraltar our largest flag, salute with our loudest cannon and continue on our way to cozy Spanish Catalonia. Málaga will become the endpoint of our transcontinental sailing voyage.  Málaga is a huge port with narrow streets, an unimaginable variety of architecture styles and traditional Spanish cuisine. Everything to make your seasoned sailor heart jump with joy.

 

The rough African adventure will definitely make you appreciate a good rest and the first hand experience of the legendary Spanish “mañana”.  As sailors we live by contrasts. That gives us a taste for life. Come, check it out!