Stavros Niarchos Winter Island Hopping in the Canaries

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Tall Ship Island Hopping in the Canaries

The Canaries—Volcanic Islands off Africa

Forget any preconceptions you may have about the Canary Islands. The voyage will start and finish in Tenerife near the popular tourist resorts, but the Western Islands of La Palma, Gomera and El Heirro can only be visited by boat, so you will see the real beauty of the Canaries archipelago and the people that live there. Poised on the edge of the tropics, their scenery ranges from lava desert to primeval forest and from sand dunes to volcanic peaks. The old towns on the main islands have colonial centres full of character.

Winter Sun & Whale Watching

As a winter sailing destination there are many attractions, hence the gathering of tall ships from Northern Europe in the islands every winter. The sunshine with typical average temperatures of 70 degrees F (21 degrees C) in January means a swim off the ship or beach is pleasantly refreshing. As well as good prevailing trade winds there are accelerations zones where the wind blasts between the mountainous islands, and quieter areas in the lee of volcanic cliffs. The archipelago is also located on the migration trail for dolphins and whales. Europe’s major astronomy telescopes have move to the Canaries to take advantage of the unpolluted and dark night skies, so night sailing under the stars is amazing.

Exploring Ashore

You will also have a chance to explore ashore, or enjoy a cool beer and Canaries Cuisine (try the salty potatoes with mojo sauce, or fresh fish). The permanent crew will also have some ideas on the best things to see ashore. Sometimes a coach will be hired to explore further inland (small charge for this to cover costs), or a BBQ or crew meal ashore might be proposed. The sub tropical island of La Palma has a huge extinct caldera with walks along the crater rim, and beautiful pine forests. El Heirro has underwater marine nature reserves and the North West coast of Tenerife provides some great mountain walking between villages, extensive terracing and village houses built into the rocks.


Sailing on a Tall Ship 

 

Climbing the masts to work the square sails is the essence of tall ship sailing. There are n’t many adrenalin buzzes in the world to beat stowing a sail 100ft above the white capped sea as you stand there balanced on a single foot rope. (OK; you do have a safety harness on and it's only if you volunteer to go aloft.)
 

Ships Crew

Upon arrival on sail training brig ‘Stavros S Niarchos’ you will sign on as ships crew. Before sailing every one undergoes an intensive safety training period so you can begin to handle a 500 ton sailing ship. There are 18 sails, included in the training is the chance to make your first climb aloft; it’s not compulsory and it is under expert supervision with plenty of encouragement.
 
On Deck
At deck level the challenge is to make sense of the myriad of ropes than run down to belaying pins all around the tall ship. As part of a team you could be hauling on a halliard that hoists a huge yard up the mast so that the sail can be set.  It may be an upper topsail, the main course or you may be alone finding the right buntlines to loosen for someone working high above you.
 
Real Tall Ship Rig
The ship’s rig is authentic, there are no winches, no windlass for the sails and so it takes a lot of physical effort and large numbers of people working together to set all the sails. Manoeuvring a tall ship is not simple under sail and there is huge amount of work to be done when you tack or wear ship. It all takes genuine teamwork, not a cliché in a management training manual.
 
Below decks
Stavros Niarchos is all traditional rigging but below deck you will find cots rather than hammocks, showers and air conditioning and a full service galley. She is fully equipped with all the latest navigation equipment and her officers are highly trained professional merchant seaman.
 
The Pleasure Principle
You would be surprised at the number of lasting relationships that develop during a voyage on a tall ship. I’m still in touch with three people I sailed with on my first voyage; it did so happen that I married one of them.
 
The sense of satisfaction and pride in your ship is a common but wonderful feature of tall ship sailing.
 
A tall ship voyage is not just for young and agile as these ships are built for those who believe in human power and seek to enjoy the pleasures of sailing in the old ways.
 

 


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