Horta, Azores, Portugal

Had to make a pit stop for fuel and duck behind an island because of a big storm system.

 One of the highest points on this island - rainy weather because of the storm

Hiked 7km around the rim of a volcano took around 3 hours so we brought roadies 

Day 2: Lighthouse point outside Horta

Night out at a yacht bar called Pete's 

As we speak we are pulling out of port and headed for Gibraltar. Four more days at sea until we see land and it's not going to be pretty. Say a prayer! 

Peace&Love

E

L.O.V.E.

Who knows the true meaning of love? It's different for everyone, different kinds of love. Is there such thing as bad love?

It's amazing spending time with the same people; day in, day out...working, living, partying, eating, and even sometime sleeping with these same people. This will get to you at some point or another and that's what my job includes, all of the above. But it seems to come full circle, we have one word for this type of love: FAMILY.

I have now discovered another type of love. This love I have for traveling has blossomed again because I am now back in Europe, with that comes many eye opening sites and experiences. My love for traveling isn't the kind that makes my heart ache. It's not the kind that makes me cry when I'm happy or sad. But it's the kind of love that makes me want to share my experiences with all the people I love and care for. I wish I could share every moment with someone when I experience a new country, city, or moment in life that has never happened before. It's hard being away from loved ones but the ones who truly care know this is my passion and I wouldn't be happy unless I'm finding new ways to "love."

Another type of love that always confuses me, especially with my job/lifestyle is the love that comes with men. What's love or what's lust? Traveling is my passion and I will never give it up but because this is who I am. They say distance makes the heart grow founder, I truly believe that for better or worse. It helps make the choice of what really matters in life important. I've recently become fond of one wonderful man, who all of a sudden pops into my life with just one night. (Just thinking about him makes me smile) But now is 4,000 miles away from me and we are now separated by technology. The way he looks at me, laughs with me but more times then none is laughing AT me, and the way he cares for me as well as everyone around him is unlike anyone I know. Internationally sound and the word "intelligent" can't describe him enough. I'm sure everyone is just rolling their eyes at this point but this kind of love IS the kind that hurts my heart knowing he's so far away. The one that makes me smile and everyone asks "What's wrong with her? Why's she so happy?"

Even after knowing him for a short time, the way we connect and we understand each other is one of a kind. I wake up thinking about this man, and have a hard time falling asleep without him. I believe in my heart that goods things will come to good people, and our time will come in many forms of love.

Love is such a sneaky thing. Sometimes can make life worth living for but also can make it very hard to live life. I know being away from all the ones I love is difficult in different ways but knowing I'm loved back is all that matters.

 1 universe 

9 planets 

204 countries

809 islands 

7 seas

and I had the privilege of meeting you...

What kind of love is in your life?

Very Far Behind - Mid Atlantic

As usual I always start out by apologizing for the lack of posts in the recent months. As much work as I've been doing, I've also been having a lot of fun along with it.

My current position is in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. Hard to believe I know but this is the second crossing I have done across the Atlantic. Barely survived the first time but this 3,500 mile long trip has been much, much better. We are about two days away from some sort of land but not our final destination. We are now headed to Horta, Azores, Portugal. A little over a year ago I visited these same islands. This year we are headed to a different island in the Azores; the port is called Horta. The boat fuels back up to get into the Mediterranean Sea because after we leave Azores, it will be another eight days until we reach our final destination of La Ciatot, France. Unfortunately, the weather is predicted to be horrible for the next few days the closer to Europe we get. We will have to wait out the storm and stay in Horta for at least two days if not longer to play it safe.

Once we have left Horta, we will have another three or four day trip to get to Gibraltar, U.K. which is where I spent almost a month last year waiting for a confirmation of a charter. Luckily on Carpe Diem we will then fuel up again and head more into the Mediterranean. We will only stay a few hours. 

Since we have left the dock in Fort Lauderdale, FL, we have been lucky enough to see so many whales and dolphins. As well as seeing lots of marine life, we've also had good enough weather to be able to sun bathe on the sun deck, music blaring and kiddy pools out to cool down in. Ive also been able to get a few workouts in during the trip if the weather has been decent. We have a new treadmill, free weights, stationary bike, elliptical and a few other things to be able to stay fit. I can now say I've ran three miles while in the middle of the ocean. Some of the things I'll be able to tell my kids is going to be so cool. We were planning on stopping in Bermuda because of weather before heading across but the weather decided to opening up and we were able to just head on out to sea. We were inside the Bermuda Triangle for almost two days. Another thing I can check off my "Epic things I've done in my life" list. 

This picture was a sunset in the very center of the Atlantic Ocean. Can't complain about seeing God's perfect creations in places few people will ever get to see in their lives. I'm very lucky and each day makes me realize it more and more. 

Getting an amazing sunset view of Fort Lauderdale, Pier 66 right before we head to the Med. If you look closely, Carpe Diem is in this shot. Top of the river on the Left side and our bow is pointing towards the sunset. All white boat. 

Same view as the sunset one but this is one of the busiest times for Pier 66. All of the boats come to do all the last minute fixes and fuel up before going over to the Med or up the East Coast or whatever journey they are planning on to take. In just a month or so this place will be more or less a ghost town. 

Meg & I playing in the baby pools mid atlantic. Candid shot. 

Everyone relaxing enjoying the amazing weather. Flat clam seas, Not a cloud in the sky, cool breeze and whale watching. Couldn't ask for a better day. Side note I was asked if I had any Mexican blood in me...Starting to look like a Mexican I'm getting so dark. Dad you would be proud. 

We are currently four hours ahead of the US, once we get all the way to France we will be six hours ahead of the United States. Will be hard to communicated with everyone but I will try to at least write little blogs here and there trying to keep everyone updated as best I can. I am on a very busy charter boat and we have a full summer ahead of us but Im up for the challenge. Everything will pay off after I finish this season. I'm so excited to get over here and spend five or six solid months getting to see new and amazing places. I love my job and I want everyone reading this to understand why I love my job so much. Hard to explain every little detail but I will try my best! Once we get to France we will have about a week to turn over the boat and get it charter ready. We will pick up our first guests in Antibes (where this all started). I'm so excited to get back and see if anything has changed. 

Peace&Love

E