Every day I’m here, I’m in awe of the magical beauty of the San Blas Islands. It truly is paradise for the voyaging sailor.
I say “voyaging” sailor and not “cruising” sailor because they are two very different things.
The voyaging sailor is one who is able to look after his own ship. The “cruising” sailor is one who relies on others for help, 
support, labor, and luxury. I’ve also heard “cruisers” referred to as “throttle trimmers” as every time the wind is below 10 knots the engine is turned on and the throttle trimmed instead of the sails.
Cruising sailors also tend to run in packs, buddy boating, and keeping the same circle of friends as they travel. They stick with their own team (nationality) and have a simple pallet when it 
comes to diet, friendship, experiences, and vision.
I’m not saying one philosophy is better or worse when it comes to sailing, however there are certainly geographic limitations to the San Blas which make it more appealing to the voyaging sailor.
The eastern Caribbean is more suited to the cruising sailor as 
there are many services, and much variety. One doesn’t need to rely on their own wits, and one can easily hire someone to cook for them, bring them a cold beer, or repair their boat. You won’t find much of that here and if you cant take care of yourself you’ll have a hard time of it.
When we are young, society (the matrix) clips our wings and forces a specific path upon us. We forget how to play by the time we are 18 or so and we become responsible adults.
I’m glad there are no hidden cameras around Splendid because Carla and I play like children all day.
Sails are wings and sometimes we just need to fly regardless of what we are told to do.
Voyaging isn’t about having money or security. It’s not about driving the speed limit, coloring within the lines, being responsible, or moral. It’s about living, loving, and soaring as high as your heart takes you. 
I know so, so many of my readers are battling with whether or not they can afford to, or have the time to, take off in a small boat without security.
Well guys, sometimes you just got to say “fuck it” and realize shit happens. You might lose your boat on a reef or starve to death (not likely by a jungle or a reef). You might get cancer and not have health insurance, you might also drown in the eye of a hurricane or be shot by pirates. What’s the alternative? Dying of heart disease from too many big gulps and fast food, a car accident, or being hit by a bus never realizing your dreams? I suppose if you like the daily grind you don’t read my blog.
I say live first and die when it’s your time, but I’m just that guy. There are no rules to our lives and we should determine our path by our innate sense of right & wrong and what makes us, and the people we love happy. I always tell people who are looking for their path to write their own obituary, it puts things into perspective. If you were to die today, what have you accomplished in your life?
Mark & Heather were fantastic charter guests and I know they went home with a positive experience. They traveled throughout Panama on their travels and told us they didn’t feel their vacation started until they got to Splendid. Thanks for being such great guests, we really enjoyed having you aboard.
Peace, Love, and Coconuts.
Sail far and live slowly.
– alex
i live my sailing life vicariously thru you and projectbluesphere.com definitely gorgeous there! sail far and live slowly
John
I don’t have a wife. But I know a woman that would be really pissed at me for saying that. I don’t have any children either. But I know three small people that keep calling me dad. LOL.
These four people have been hanging around my house for so long now that I’ve grown to really love all of them. They all enjoy going out for a day or weekend on my boat, but none of them share my passion for sailing and the sea.
I know intuitively (and logically) the greatest gift I could ever give them is a l-o-n-g vacation that morphs into a voyage of discovery, that then becomes a lifestyle, ending with five people forever changed from the inside out … but, I’m the only one (so far) with that vision.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m a happy man; all these people love me, and for that reason alone I am blessed beyond measure. But I long for a deeper meaning and purpose … one that for me, can only be satisfied by a life far far removed from this empty hyper-connected culture of violence and materialism, where people seem to just skim the surface of life and never really think deeply or live fully. Like a plant potted in clay, I starve for water and fertile soil where I can blossom, grow and reach my full potential.
Sometimes I feel as if I am living someone else’s life… kinda like an alien on the wrong planet. My mind just spins counter-clockwise to everyone else’s around here. Nobody speaks my language so I struggle communicate with others. They simply don’t see the things I see, and don’t desire the things I desire; they don’t get my perspective, nor do they understand why I’d ever want to leave this place. They call me a “restless” and a “complicated guy”. They are right. They think I think way too much! They are wrong about that.
Mentally and spiritually I am “out there” living amongst the awe and beauty of nature. But for the time being I’m stuck right here … in the Matrix … till I find that elusive red pill.
Awesome post, Alex! Keep feeding the dream and forcing us to “think”!
As the Dalai Lama says. ” People take different roads seeking fulfillment and happiness. Just because they’re not on your road doesn’t mean they’ve gotten lost.”
Contrarian,
Sounds like you should come visit for a week. Your wife’s name isn’t Sylvia is it?
Sylvia, I don’t think I’ve implied everyone or anyone is lost if they don’t follow my path. If you have been around for any length of time and know anything about me I only try to help men with similar dreams find their own path.
To quote the Dali Lama:
” I believe that the very purpose of life is to be happy. From the very core of our being, we desire contentment. In my own limited experience I have found that the more we care for the happiness of others, the greater is our own sense of well-being. Cultivating a close, warmhearted feeling for others automatically puts the mind at ease. It helps remove whatever fears or insecurities we may have and gives us the strength to cope with any obstacles we encounter. It is the principal source of success in life. Since we are not solely material creatures, it is a mistake to place all our hopes for happiness on external development alone. The key is to develop inner peace.”
If there is someone in your life who wants to follow their dreams perhaps love and support is the answer?
Peace
Contrarian,
There’s nothing wrong with living something vicariously. I believe that’s one of the amazing features of the human mind, it’s not so easy sometimes to distinguish reality from fiction, our waking life from dreams, what we can see with our eyes and what we can perceive with our intuition.
If anything, the fact that you live more than one life only shows your curiosity of spirit, your need for new horizons. When I left home for a life of traveling apart from family and friends (who I visit often but not as often as I would like to) I had to leave my tango dancing and playing in bands behind.
You can only live one life at a time. That is why you must love what you have. But there’s nothing like letting our minds fly free as well. When I miss dancing, I watch other people dance on my laptop. I have dance films and I watch the tv show So you think you can dance and laugh and cry and dream and feel inspired looking at their skill and expression. I can feel what they feel and if I close my eyes I can move with the music and defy gravity, time and space. I do not regret my choices. I did not get to become a dancer this time. But I’ll be the best freaking traveler I can be! And I tell you if I ever get tired of traveling I will immediately start taking adult contemporary classes. It’s never too late to change your life. But it’s never too early to love and cherish the life you have. And those who love you for who you are.
; )
Carla.
BTW
I forgot to tell you last time! Loved your comparison of the current system with Orwell and Huxley’s dystopias! Right on!!
They’re among my favorite books since I was very young together with Fahrenheit 451 and More than Human and the movie Blade Runner. I guess I always knew this system sucked hahaa it’s up to us to try and make something better.
Peace!
C
C.
Hi guys,well the deal on the trade for the cat fell through today,man I am so bummed. They say everything happens for a reason but right now, that sucks, waited 6 months to do this while the boat owner was out of the country & all that time I was fixing things up here to make the deal & now it seems I just wasted my time,today I rode my motorcycle 3 1/2 hrs one way to do the deal, should have stayed in bed, I am starting to understand why or how someone can just flip out, you are sure in a better place & I don`t mean lat & long.. sometimes life sucks!
Carla, we never met, but in just the few wise words you’ve written, I can tell I’d like you. Thank you for your beautiful comment. Ok, now about those kind words …
You are right, there’s nothing inherently wrong with living a vicarious life, and I do spend many hrs living vicariously, but how do you reconcile longing for and dreaming about another life, with living in the moment and fully embracing the life you have right now? This is my constant struggle.
I get lost in my dreams and aspirations for another life, a simple life, voyaging life. Then I wake up, and realize my “real” life is the antithesis of that one. Live in the moment vs. dream for the future? I know these are not mutually exclusive, but I have yet to find the balance in embracing both.
I also struggle with the conflict between age old admonitions like, “go now while you can” and “don’t put your dreams on hold”, with the opposite that proclaims, “delay your gratification” and “pay now play later.” In my mind, these “rules” don’t square with each other. Seems to me an individual needs to choose a path in order to fully embrace and squeeze the most from their life in the moment. So there it is.
This appears to be my personal cross to bear. But I assume most readers of Alex’s blog share a similar struggle. Or am I the only one who is land-locked but dreams of following in Alex’s footsteps (or wake), but for one reason or another is stuck, for the time being at least? So Carla, how about a free group clinical phycology session on this public forum ;-) for the benefit of all those who struggle with a similar conflict? :)
– Contrarian
Contrarian,
You are for from the only one who reads Alex’s blogs that has this problem. I am single with an 11yo daughter. I dream of going out there, and tehre are days when I am ready to do it RIGHT NOW. But I know my daughter well enough to know that she is not suited for that life, nor would she enjoy it. Aside from health issues that would make it impractical, it is just not “her thing” if you know what I mean. In addition, my parents (whom she is very attached) are getting older and I don’t know how much lomnger we will have them, and I want my daughter to spend as much time with them as possible before they are gone.
Once my daughter is grown and on her own, I intend to sell everything and cut the dock lines. The important thing for me is to know that one day I will go. I have a plan, and a date (MOL) when I am going to live my dream. The difference between a dream and a plan is a date and a willingness to do it (I have both).
Also, remember that leaving on a sailboat is not teh only way to cut lose form the Matrix. There are a thaousand ways you can begin to leave the Matrix right where you are. get connected with the real you, not the Matrix i,age of you. And help those you live with to find their real selves, not their Matrix selves. the more you get disconnected, the closer you will be to your dream. And if you help those you love to disconnect, you’ll find yourself out there sooner than you think.
You’ve already swallowed your red pill my friend.
Butch,
Man I’m so sorry to hear that, that really bites. I’m sure if you look you’ll find the right deal for sure.
Contrarian and coastal cowboy. Knowing the path is more than half the battle and it seems your on the way. I had the dream of voyaging for over 10 years and felt trapped. When I was living in Marina del rey (Southern California) I would want to gouge my eyes out every time I had to sail back to the mainland from the Channel Islands. It took me a very traumatic experience to walk away from it all, and I almost didn’t.
As the Dalia Lama said, it’s all about happiness and helping others. And yes there are 1000 ways to unplug. I’m really excited to meet Carla’s sister who lives in the mountains of Patagonia. They live a really natural life in the mountains. I could possibly see myself building a small cabin or a yurt in the mountains one day, hunting and gathering.
Peace.
Friends living between.
Like you, I have been a vicarious traveler, waiting for Alex’s next post, and dreaming of a day in the sun. None of us are alone in our tiger in a cage feelings. After 20 years with the same mate, things were not as appeared. She had an apparent, long term affair, got into drugs and pulled our son into her world. As they say, after you’ve lost everything, you are free to do anything. I thought things were all figured out…
Now, I am helping my son in recovery as best I can, the real work will be his. I have completely changed careers to something that will permit boat life and travel. Priorities, real priorities are becoming more clear and tangible. With every cloud a silver lining. The reality? Before I felt trapped, now…liberated, liberated to live a meaningful and aware life. A life of sharing the good in me with others. I believe that, if your life energizes you, the energy will transfer to others. Alex is an example. We are meant to be happy and loving life and sharing that love is the key and, remember, none of us are really alone, we just haven’t connected yet.
Alex, I’d love some information on a charter.
Thanks.
Mike
Hi guys, I am still a little shocked & posted that last right after I got home after driving 7-8 hrs at about 90 & add a couple hrs on the boat & was really upset at life at that point & just HAD to tell sombody.Sorry if I sounded so neg., Maybe it was a good schooling for me & will help me in the long run. I will try & put a pos.spin on things.. I have a couple more deals out there I am trying to work but I really wanted that one to work,its just hard when something you have worked at for so long does not bear fruit. I will start again & find another,so close..Know anybody that wants to try a trade for a lake house in west central FL, I have two!! Butch
Mike,
We ask $150 PP/PD including food, wine, sundowners, snorkel gear, clean sheets & towels, and as much paradise as you can consume during your stay. Carla and I cook quite healthy and can accommodate special diets if need be.
Flying into Panama is cheap, and once your in Panama I can make transportation arrangments for you to get to Splendid. You will take a 2 hour 4×4 ride through the jungle ($25), and a 20 min launch ride ($20) to Splendid.
It’s all pretty straight forward. Our March is looking pretty booked but let me know your thoughts. We can chat by email if you want to book a time. I’m alexdorsey at gmail dot com.
Peace
Some things take time. Contrarian I don’t know much about your personal situation or marriage for that matter, I’ve always chosen traveling over relationships, which wasn’t easy either you know? I met Alex when I was 36 and I had never lived with a guy, never been engaged, imagine the way people usually saw me. My family worried about me… The guys I dated treated me so bad everytime the time came from me to keep moving even though I had been totally honest about it from the start.
All our choices have a downside usually. It took me 36 years to find someone I can share my life with, someone who does not treat me like a crazy lost immature escapist. I guess others start with forming a family and traveling can only start after the children become independent. The system makes it very difficult for people to leave, that’s the whole point, it gets you used to certain things and then you must pay for your kid’s education etc.
There are many in that situation it seems. Knowing what you want is a great start, then you gotta be patient and make your path bend toward those things you dream about as much as you can. It is our responsibility to make this a better world for our young, so that they do not have to struggle as much as we had to. But also we must make the conscious effort to feel fortunate for that which we have and have chosen and make each day a special one for ourselves and those around us.
Love everyone!!
C
Carla – your comment sums it up perfectly. It’s about choices. You chose to travel alone, you sought adventure, and made freedom a priority (just like Alex) even when society tried to seduce you into taking its bait. Comfort, security, family w/children, and money, are not in and of themselves bad, but they require commitment and commitment demands choices.
I’m sure there were many times when you had to make hard choices and no doubt you were torn about what to do, but you remained true to yourself and stayed the course in spite of your fear and the obstacles. The fact that you are happy today, living your dream, and now have found your soul mate in Alex is a testament to your strength of character and the reward for taking the road less traveled.
For me, I love my life and I have been blessed with amazing kids and a wonderful wife. That didn’t happen because my path was set by the stars, a stork carting children didn’t make a surprise crash landing at my doorstep, and the gods didn’t conspire to keep me land-locked. I made choices too. I am responsible for my life. And it is the accumulative weight of the choices I’ve made that have brought me to where I am today: A mortgage, cars, jobs and kids.
I don’t lament my choices. I have learned, laughed and loved. It’s been a great ride and I have no regrets. My family means everything to me. BUT: I am just very ready for the next chapter of my life to begin… one with no mortgage, no cars, no job, no stress … just a boat and sea :).
My day will come, till then, I need to make the small choices that lead me closer to my dream… not further away from it. And I need to make a more conscious effort to, as you say, ” feel fortunate for that which we have and have chosen and make each day a special one for ourselves and those around us.”
C
Now, that’s more like it!
The fact that you dream of something beautiful for yourself even if you can’t reach it just yet, and the fact that you hang on there next to those who still need you, only makes you a better man. Would you rather be content with a simple, uninteresting existence? I don’t think so.
In the meantime there’s so much to research, so much to enjoy. Dreaming is beautiful. And whatever you don’t like about your today can surely be improved. The system can only do so much, turning the TV and the radio off and going for a walk or reading a book under a tree instead is only up to us. And it’s much cheaper! Be creative!
Focusing on making others happy is also a fabulous key to happiness. When you prepare surprises for your loved ones and (even better) for strangers, your focus shifts and you forget about your own problems. Try it out! Leave surprises in the street for others to find. Plan silly things. Send postcards to your relatives and friends you haven’t seen for a while. Send flowers. Be kind to others. Yield and smile. Give away everything you haven’t used for a while. Tell your wife when she looks beautiful. When I had to live in a city, silly plots like this really helped me cope with work and traffic. I never read the paper and I never watched TV, only movies and series I got on DVD. No commercials or biased media makes a big difference!! You can find about what happens in the world through websites you like and trust.
Spread the love!! Hope it helps. I’m a bit of a hippie, can’t help it : )
Cheeeeriooooo
C