SAILING IS TRUTH

You only Live Twice

By: Maik Ulmschneider 03/09/202003/09/2020

Inspirational EncountersDominican Republic, featured, moto-taxi, sailing, sailors on land, SeefalkeLeave a Comment

“2000 Pesos,” the boy claims with great self-confidence. He has a neon-yellow colored Iroquois hair style and his skin color is evidence of his creole heritage. He wears colorful shorts, flip-flops and a muscle shirt that dramatically reveals his tattoo, showing a – let’s say – slightly underdressed girl with an impressive bust size. The…

Cuban Hunting Grounds

By: Maik Ulmschneider 03/09/202003/09/2020

Photos and Their Stories, Revolution and RealityCuba, Havana, sailing in CubaLeave a Comment

This photo was taken on March, 06, 2020 at the Palco Mall Supermarket in Jaimanitas, a small town in the outskirts of Havana, Cuba. What have the products on these three photos in common? These are products that require quite some efforts to get here in Cuba. I have been living here for more than…

The Beauty of the Beast

By: Maik Ulmschneider 03/04/202010/24/2020

Photos and Their StoriesGulf of Mexico, ocean weather, sailing, sailing in Cuba, sailing is truth, Seefalke, sunriseLeave a Comment

This photo was taken on March 03, 2020 in the Gulf of Mexico, approximately ten nautical miles north of Santa Cruz del Norte, Cuba. We were on our way from Varadero, Cuba to Havana, Cuba, a short 90 nautical miles over-night passage. After a rocky night the winds and the seas had calmed down and…

Passage Briefing Varadero – Havana

By: Maik Ulmschneider 03/01/202003/02/2020

Passage BriefingCuba, Havana, passage briefing, passage planning, sailing, sailing in Cuba, Seefalke, solo sailing, VaraderoLeave a Comment

Weather The high that was sitting west of Florida over the last days and brought cold and strong northerly winds to the north of Cuba moved east. Accordingly the winds are currently shifting from northwest over north to east and further to southeast and decrease as the center of the high moves northeast. At first…

Sunshine, Salsa and Socialism

By: Maik Ulmschneider 02/26/202003/10/2020

Inspirational Encounters, Revolution and RealityCoffee, Cuba, Havana, Horseback Riding, sailing, sailing in Cuba, sailing is truth, Salsa, Seefalke, Tobacco, Travel Cuba, Viñales1 Comment

“Hey Maik!” somebody is shouting my name and abruptly I turn around. I see a pink Chevrolet ‘55 convertible taxi, and I see a woman, wearing an elegant long dress and a hat that makes every sombrero look tiny. Huge sunglasses cover what is left to see on her face. The sun is burning relentlessly.…

The Birth of a Solo Sailor

By: Maik Ulmschneider 02/21/202002/27/2020

A Sailor’s Life for Me, Inside A Sailor's Soulat sea, Atlantic Ocean, Bourbon Rhode, featured, Martinique, Paramaribo, sailing, sailing emotions, sailing is truth, Seefalke, solo sailing, SurinameLeave a Comment

So now it is definite. It is early morning of October 31, 2019 as I motor down the muddy waters of Suriname River from Domburg, through the heavy jungle heat. I follow the tide past plantations and mansions towards Paramaribo, Suriname’s lively capital, and I know: It is definite. Earth and water, just like air…

Deprived of the Sunset

By: Maik Ulmschneider 02/19/202003/09/2020

Photos and Their Storiesat sea, Atlantic Ocean, ocean life, ocean weather, sailing, sailing is truth, sea life, Seefalke, sunsetLeave a Comment

This photo was taken on November 08, 2019 just a few nautical miles west of Dominica. I headed north making use of the trade winds on my way from Martinique to Guadeloupe. I remember this was a stop-and-go passage. The wind in these latitudes is constantly, strongly coming from the northeast. When you are in…

A Song of the Sunrise

By: Maik Ulmschneider 02/17/202002/17/2020

Photos and Their Storiessailing, sailing in Cuba, sailing is truth, Seefalke, sunrise, timelapseLeave a Comment

By an Unknown Author The night breaks. The light shakesDown from the sky. The darkness trembles: shivers, dissembles:Unwilling to die. And facile and fleet, on dusky feet,Out of the dripping sunlight tripping,Shadows pass by,All sprinkled and spatteredWith golden rain, All shivered, all shattered, like dream-ghosts scatteredBy the waking brain. The light dawns. The night mournsAnd…

The Magic of Arrivals

By: Maik Ulmschneider 02/16/202002/27/2020

A Sailor’s Life for Me, Inside A Sailor's Soulapproach, arrival, departure, featured, freedom, land-ho, sailing, sailing emotions, sailing is truth, Seefalke, solo sailingLeave a Comment

I just arrived back on my boat Seefalke. She is currently docked in Marina Gaviota in Varadero, Cuba and after two weeks of painful separation, the two of us are finally reunited again. I caress the womanly curves of her wheel tenderly; I know she feels how much I missed her. When talking with friends on…

I Am not a Sissy

By: Maik Ulmschneider 02/13/202002/27/2020

A Sailor’s Life for Me1 Comment

It is winter. I am still in Germany. I have been here for almost two weeks and in less than two days I am going to fly back home to my boat Seefalke. She is in tropical Cuba now waiting for me. It is cold. Sabine just passed, a furious winter storm, but luckily it…

Hit by a $3,000 Gust – Lesson Learned

By: Maik Ulmschneider 02/10/202002/14/2020

A Sailor’s Life for Meboat dogs, capsize, Dominican Republic, featured, lesson learned, Puerto Rico, sailing, sailing is truth, sailing trouble, sailing with dogs, Seefalke, squall, storm1 Comment

$1,000 nights are notorious among sailors. This is what we call nights when a sail is ripped in a sudden gust, or the dinghy outboard motor falls over board, or the anchor needs to be given up. Ask any blue-water sailor and you’ll find they all had at least one of those $1,000 nights in…

A Part of Me apart from Me

By: Maik Ulmschneider 02/07/202002/11/2020

Inside A Sailor's SoulCuba, culture clash, dropout, escape the rat race, featured, Germany, liveaboard, missing, sailboat, sailing, sailing and working, sailing emotions, sailors on land, Seefalke1 Comment

As you may remember, I am in Germany at the moment. I left my boat in Cuba for two weeks to take care of some important business. Despite being here for a week already, I am still suffering from the blunt culture shock. It is just a few days ago that I met with my…

Mother Carey’s Chicken

By: Maik Ulmschneider 02/04/202003/28/2020

Inside A Sailor's Soul, Inspirational EncountersAtlantic Ocean, culture clash, featured, ocean life, petrel, sailing, sailing emotions, sailing is truth, sea life, sea turtle, Seefalke, storm-petrel1 Comment

Being in Germany now, in my home country 10,000 km away from home, I feel like on a speed dating competition. I will be here for only two weeks and friends, family and business partners are fighting for a spot in my bursting schedule. I feel very flattered, however, I feel overwhelmed and homesick, too. …

A Legal Alien

By: Maik Ulmschneider 01/31/202002/11/2020

Inside A Sailor's Soulculture clash, featured, Germany, jungle, liveaboard, sailboat, sailing, sailing and working, sailing emotions, sailors on land, Seefalke, solo sailing, SurinameLeave a Comment

“Uh oh, I’m an alien, I’m a legal alien….”, Sting has been following me today from the moment I got out of the plane in Düsseldorf, Germany. I just arrived from Cuba, where I left my boat and home Seefalke for two weeks to take care of some urgent business and admin in the fatherland.…

The Earthquake Can Wait

By: Maik Ulmschneider 01/29/202002/11/2020

Photos and Their Stories, Revolution and RealityCuba, earthquake, modern world, sailing, sailing in Cuba, sailing is truth, Seefalke, solo sailingLeave a Comment

Santa Marta, Cuba – January 29, 2020 – I took this photo in Santa Marta, Cuba, just a few moments after the earth was shaken by a 7.3 force earthquake short of Cuban’s southern coast and a tsunami warning was issued for the area. Everyone is checking on friends and family. Only the couple in the top right corner…

The Smell of Fresh Bread

By: Maik Ulmschneider 01/27/202002/11/2020

Revolution and Realitybakery, bread, Cuba, daily life, exploring, sailing, sailing emotions, sailing in Cuba, sailing is truth, Seefalke2 Comments

I just arrived in Santa Marta, a lively small town in the north of Cuba, between the cities Matanzas and Cardenas. As I get out of the blue and white 1956 Chevrolet 210 Sedan that served us as a taxi, I am struck by the smell of fresh bread. (You need to know that bread…

Five Star Ghost Marina

By: Maik Ulmschneider 01/26/202002/11/2020

Cruising Resources, Revolution and RealityCaribbean, Cuba, Marina Gaviota, marinas, passage planning, sailboat, sailing, sailing in Cuba, sailing resources, Seefalke, solo sailing, Varadero2 Comments

Most sailors dream of sailing the Caribbean at least once in their lives. They dream of warm weather, clear water, secluded anchorages, endless beaches… The reality hits them with unaffordable marinas, crowded anchorages and crazy labor rates. I am not saying there are no hidden gems left off the beaten path anymore but the beaten…

Cuban Muscle Power

By: Maik Ulmschneider 01/25/202002/10/2020

Revolution and RealityCuba, daily life, exploring, sailing, sailing in Cuba, sailing is truth, Seefalke, solo sailing1 Comment

Santa Marta, Cuba – January 25, 2020 – There is a lot of things that Cuba has plenty: cigars, beautiful girls, vintage cars and Che Guevara pictures for example. But on the flip side there is also a lot of things that Cuba has very little of: milk, apples or razor blades for example –…

Why It Is Worth It

By: Maik Ulmschneider 01/24/202002/11/2020

Inside A Sailor's Soul, Photos and Their Storiesat sea, Atlantic Ocean, Gulf Stream, ocean weather, sailing, sailing emotions, sailing in Cuba, sailing in Florida, Seefalke, solo sailing, sunsetLeave a Comment

North Atlantic Ocean, Straits of Florida – January 20, 2020 – Cold and wet and tired – there are moments when I am asking myself “What the hell am I doing this for?” And usually the answer is just a moment away. All day the weather is lousy. You know there is a front coming…

Running Down to Cuba

By: Maik Ulmschneider 01/20/202003/10/2020

A Sailor’s Life for Me, Passage BriefingCuba, Florida, Key West, passage briefing, passage planning, sailing, sailing in Cuba, Seefalke, solo sailing, VaraderoLeave a Comment

Every downside has its upside, and as my good friend, experienced Cape Horner and professional psychologist Katarzyna said, “The cure to everything is always more sea and less land.” Following this motto I am going to cure my grief over the loss of my dear crew members by embracing the new freedom and setting sails…

Mission Accomplished or Farewell for Good

By: Maik Ulmschneider 01/19/202002/11/2020

A Sailor’s Life for MeAtlantic Ocean, Beagles, boat dogs, dogs on board, farewell, Florida, goodbye, Key West, liveaboard, sailing, seadogs, Seefalke, solo sailing, USALeave a Comment

Key West, Florida, USA – January 19, 2020 – As most of you know it was my current mission to bring the Seadogs back to the continental USA after my first mate signed off Seefalke‘s crew in Suriname. It is my pleasure to report that this emotionally and nautically challenging mission is now accomplished. This…

Not My Day

By: Maik Ulmschneider 01/17/202002/10/2020

A Sailor’s Life for Meclearance, Cuba, customs, exploring, Florida, immigration, Key West, liveaboard, port of entry, sailing, sailing in Florida, sailing trouble, Seefalke, solo sailing, USA1 Comment

Key West, Florida, USA – January 17, 2020 – There are these days in life when you are doomed to lose, when the shit is just not dropping off your foot, and if you keep shaking it, it eventually lands on your face making a bad day just worse. Today was one of these days…

Moody Atlantic

Varadero, Cuba – January 04, 2020 – Let me tell you the good news first: Yesterday we safely arrived in Varadero, Cuba Marina Gaviota, Varadero after a 168 hrs/503 nautical mile exciting passage: We left GreatInagua, Bahamas on Dec 28 around 13:00 with some delay because I needed to climb the mast to cut the…

The Brave Men Of La Patience

Matthew Town, Great Inagua, Bahamas – December 13, 2019 – The most exciting experience while sailing the seven seas are the encounters with people from other worlds. From worlds so far from ours they might as well have just landed from Mars. Sometimes their stories are sad, sometimes they are funny but almost always most…