So if friends and family are the most important aspects of what we miss when living far away from it all, there are a few actual things, that we occasionally feel a longing for.
Alex misses his bike of course, would've been amazing to have a Harley packed on the boat to bring ashore and cruise around the different beautiful islands that we visit but that's probably not a very logistically logical idea. He also misses a good cup of coffee in the mornings. Yea we got the amazing espresso machine that is perfectly suitable for our sailing lifestyle, but sometimes you want to enjoy that coffee on a nice terrace, order in a fresh croissant with it and both of these, however small the request might seem, are pretty hard to obtain over here. The standard of coffee is the American version, and the few times you actually find a properly done coffee in one of the resorts, the price is around five times higher than what we're accustomed to back home in Europe. And croissants you can simply forget about if not in the French West Indies.
I miss Swedish and Finnish candy, sometimes I even dream about it in the nights, very bizarre. And some type of food I haven't tasted in a long time. Like proper fresh whole wheat bread straight from the bakery, fried calamares, juicy oranges, ruccola, great red wine. Alex misses Spanish tapas, sauccision and really good cold cuts in general of course. The good thing here in the Caribbean is that you can always sail over to one of the French islands and get most of your food cravings satisfied. Now that we don't get to visit any more French islands that can supply these needs before perhaps New Caledonia in the summer of next year at the earliest, the Colombian food is something we look very much forward to explore. But other than food, friends and family, there isn't much else we miss out here. Maybe sometimes the easiness of hailing a cab on the street. And of course the general culture, sound, taste and light of the Mediterranean.. the obvious things I believe.
9 comments:
Are you stopping in the Marquesas and then Tuamotus? If so, you can get some of the French items in Rangiroa (baguettes at least). Then, you will have your pick of French food items once you hit Tahiti, Moorea, etc. So, you will find these things far sooner than Noumea!
That's fantastic, we thought the other islands lacked such things as they're too small but you can probably get all those things in any large resorts, right?
Rangiroa may have a few things - it has been a few years since I visited there. Once you get to Pape'ete you will find many French food items and delicacies.
I can't wait until you get there and post photos. It is of my favorite areas in the world.
Alex, I feel your pain when it comes to a good cup of coffee, might I suggest acquiring a percolator? I find it brews a great cup in only a few minutes, downside is that you can burn the coffee if you have too much fire on it.
Taru!
I couldn't agree more about your view on things that are missing when you've decided to live a life apart from your friends and family, like we both have. However lucky we are to be able to do this, and no matter how many experiences and acquaintances richer we become every day, there is always this little hole in your heart. And it feels good to know that someone else is feeling exactly the same way! So thank you.
As for the more tangible things in life - such as food and drink - your post also made me realize that I should appreciate and relish the fact that we are still in the Med (even if we sometimes get a bit impatient and just want to do the crossing NOW).
I will think of you and Alex as I enjoy my 11 o'clock espresso and vanilla croissant. (Yes, even the Greek knows how to bake it to perfection, at least here on the west coast whith all its Italian influences.)
Looking forward to see what you do find to eat and drink along the way - for each thing that one's missing there is usually a new taste to experience!
Lots of love to both of you,
C&A
Ben we have an espresso machine which works fine.
Camilla! Good to hear in a way that we're not the only ones. There's always two sides with everything of course and this is a brand new feeling at least for me so good to philosophize around it. Hope you both are well and too bad we're so far away from each other too! We do miss the Med a lot in periods but we're still very excited to keep on going the other direction. So much to see and experience in this world and life. Enjoy your espresso and croissants.. love from carib xo
Don't get too hung up on New Caledonia. Even though it really is a French outpost the groceries are frightfully expensive. French wine is surprisingly cheap. Papeete is also expensive.
You know, I actually dreamt about Norwegian/Swedish candy too when I lived in Bali.. Woke up feeling very fat! Haha. Safe trip to Mustique, you two!
Ooooh I got goosebumps, you're going to New Caledonia? I loooooooved that country!!! I have no doubt you will love it too!
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