From the famous docks of Horta Marina to Tangier

After spending a bit over a year in Horta Joy finally moved on to Tangier in Morocco. I was a bit sad to leave Horta because it is such a lovely place. People in and around the marina are extremely friendly and helpful. Food is great and rather inexpensive. A visit to Faial and the other Azores Islands is highly recommended.

My crew Béla and Sandor and myself put Joy through a major maintenance routine: rig check, engine service, installing a new wind instrument, the guys serviced all of our winches – thanks, great job on that! The sailmaker made some adjustments to the gennaker and we got the new mainsail ready with a set of new battens. After a great crew dinner at Genuino’s boat and crew were ready to leave.

Strong, favorable winds made this the fastest turn Joy had so far with a speed record for 24 hours of 172 nautical miles, downwind with just the genoa boomed out. Conditions were demanding but exhilarating, the leg from Ponta Delgada to Tangier was double-handed again. Thanks to Béla who is not only a skilled and reliable sailor but great company as well!

In Tangier we docked in the brand new Tanja Bay Marina. And again we were lucky being greeted with a warm welcome by the marina staff helping in any way possible from immigration formalities to restaurant recommendations which were very good.

Tangier itself has really cool vibes building on its Hippie heritage from the 60s and 70s and presenting itself with the classic offerings of an Arab town, the narrow labyrinth of its Souk, bustling stores and a colorful piles of spices on the market.