I was born and have lived most of my life in the beautiful capital of Sweden, Stockholm. Mostly, I never saw the moon. When we started to sail, I saw her always. This is my pictorial tribute to her.
Stockholm 26 October, 2018, 7.54. This is Wasahamnen in the core of Stockholm, where we stayed during the year we transitioned from our apartment to become liveaboards. On May 25th, 2019 we released the moorings and headed out into the world.
The English Chanel 16 June 2019, 22.03.
Bay of Biscay 14 July 2019, 1.45.
Galicien, Punta das vallas, Illa de Faro 15 August 2019, 22.19. The crescendo and moment when it all turned to gold.
Porto Santo, the small island north of Madeira, 12 September 2019, 20.19. On this day, every year, the islanders celebrate the return of Christopher Columbus. The whole village was out — it was very moving.
Quinta do Lorde, Madeira 8 oktober 2019, 20.13. Madeira is known for their levadas (irrigation canals and tracks) and flowers. Here on the eastern corner of the island, it is dry and mountainous. We enjoyed it very much.
La Gomera, San Sebastian marina, 12 November 2019, 21.37. A place to return to.
North Atlantic, 24 December 2019, 19.17 — this is our third day on the Atlantic — it was quite calm so I dared to use the oven and make a Jansson’s temptation to celebrate Christmas.
Cap Verde, 27 December 2019, 18.55. It’s magic to enter in the twilight. We made a short stop over the new year and got better winds for the passage over the Atlantic.
North Atlantic 9 January 2020, 20.22. I just love the moon gates! 15 January we drop the anchor in Sainte-Anne, Martinique — happy to have completed our first long passage.
Bonaire 8 February 2020, 18.47. Divers’ paradise, don’t miss it. One anchor at buoys along the city shore.
Lake of Gatún, 13 March 2020, 23.05 — this is the lake in the middle of the Panama canal. We came there late to rest for the night. The moon was just visible some short moments.
South Pacific, 8 April 2020, 18.41. I just love sailing over the South Pacific.
If you would like to read more about my reflections and experience of sailing at South Pacific, I have written about it in Pacific Reflections — with daily pictures.
South Pacific, 12 April 2020, 22.13. All those different shades.
South Pacific, 14 April 2020, 4.55. Many round balls up in the sky this morning.
South Pacific, 16 April 2020, 4.55. We are very close to land now. On 18 April we reached Hiva Oa in the Marquesas after 33 days on the Pacific.
Tauhata, Hanatefau, 1 June 2020, 16.24. This I think is the best spot to anchor in Marquesas Islands. The mountain is like a wall, protecting against headwinds. In the nearby small village, Hapatoni, Tehine in the blue house cooked for the sailors. A really sweet spot!
Nuku Hiva, 4 June 2020, 00.24. Like a painting!
Papeete, 19 October 2020, 18.24. — this is our third (of four) full moons in Papeete, the capital of French Polynesia. This is the city marina which during this time got renovated. On 9 November 2020, we finally got a visa to continue to New Zealand, as one of the few yachts with permission to refit & repair that year.
South Pacific, 29 November 2020, 20.50. We are east of Kermadec Islands — the full moon is amazing! We arrived in Opua, the Bay of Islands in New Zealand on 8 December 2020 after 21 days at sea.
New Zealand, Whangamumu bay 28 December 2020, 21.18. Still another painting.
Epilogue
Looking back at my moon pictures I feel honoured. She is not that easy to catch — many of my tryings are just a white dot on a black sky. And when we are on the sea, it is always moving, and photos easily gets blurred especially in the dark. Still so attracting!
Here in New Zealand I have realized that is not that easy to catch her on the day of the full moon as it is often cloudy during the rainy season — mainly winter, June to September, but even long time of the Spring. So it is trickier on land. Below I show you one picture from Whangarei and lastly, the best of all, a red moon! What a gift it was.
Whangarei 22 August 2021, 18.24. Riverside Drive marina has been our sweet home base in New Zealand. We came here 30 December 2020 and this will also be the place where we do the last preparation before leaving to Europe in May 2023.
On the way to Great Barrier. The Red Moon, 10 December 2022, 22.34. We were so lucky — this is the first time in my life that I see a red moon. It was fabolous, my iPhone can’t do the experience justice, just imagine!
Thank you for reading. Welcome to subscribe if you would like to see more of my photos and read my reflections — for the moment from the other side of the world.
ICF Master Certified Coach with +30 years of experience in professional coaching and personal development. Anna is from Stockholm, writes about transformation.
