There is a special chapter in the last pages of our logbook. It’s called “People and Boats” and – you won’t be surprised – it lists the names of people and their boats next to the place where we first met them. This is how we try to keep track of all the encounters we have had over the last few months.

The list in the logbook has reached a considerable length. As a result, we have never felt lonely in a foreign country. In many harbors or anchorages there are boats and crews that we already know. The last time we met was sometimes months and many nautical miles ago, but there is always a lot to talk about. The same reality of life and a similar daily routine make it easy to exchange thoughts. This also makes it easy to make new acquaintances when there is no familiar boat waiting in the next bay. You can always strike up a conversation about some topic or event. A coffee here is followed by dinner there. We meet people from all over the world and get out of our usual circles in Germany. We meet single-handed circumnavigators, influencers, young adventurers, older couples, large cruising families, sailing academics and expats. They all have different backgrounds and exciting stories to tell.

Without the hectic mainland schedule, we also have the time and leisure to talk to people on land. It could be a chat at the market or an exchange in the launderette. These unexpected encounters have become an integral part of our life. They enrich our experiences, provide variety and, at best, give us a better understanding of the country we are momentarily living in.

With a child on board, it is a constant task to find boats with other children - ideally of the same age - and to coordinate play dates. In Europe, this was still somewhat difficult due to the season. But in the Caribbean, the density of boats is so high that we meet lots of sailing families. There are kids in almost every bay. Various apps, WhatsApp groups and platforms like Noforeignland, Trans-Ocean, Nautikids groups etc. help to initiate and organize these meetings. As there is always a beach on the doorstep, it is not difficult to find a suitable place or activity and the children quickly make friends.

The sailing season in the Caribbean will soon come to its natural end with the start of the hurricane season. This means that most people will be parting ways again. Farewells are part of sailing life. Some sail home across the Atlantic back to Europe, others head south - to Grenada or Curaçao, for example. Still others sail north to Canada or along the east coast of the USA. What happens after the hurricane season remains an open question. Some routes will then cross again. We say goodbye with big plans to some boats that share the dream of crossing the Panama Canal. “See you in Tahiti” is the euphoric call that accompanies the goodbye. Well, we remain curious to see if, where and how the many reunions will come true.