(November 30, 2017) It’s pure luck! We caught a fish yesterday: about a 20 pound Mahi Mahi. Lost the first fish, but the second one that we got was even bigger. It is not a Yellowfin Tuna but we are thrilled. It seemed there were a school of Mahi Mahi but we didn’t want to catch more; freezer space is an issue. Fresh Sashimi for us and both Cats. We grilled some fish for dinner. This fish is so beautiful in the ocean in colors of Aqua Marine, Blue, Green, and Yellow. Once we brought it up on the boat,

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(November 29, 2017) Prior to sailing to a new location, I usually gather information on wind speed/direction, wave speed/direction, tide, sunrise/sunset, moonrise/moonset, current time at the new location, and etc.

Moon set is supposed to be around 3 AM today. As I like night watch under moonlit, I stayed outside listening to an audio book (“Principles” by Ray Dalio, I like this book a lot, and this is the second time I have listened to it). Unlike intense sunlight, moonlit makes me absorb learning as a sponge does with water. After moon set, I came down inside to write this blog.

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There is no friend as loyal as a book. — Ernest Hemingway

La Gomera Island is a small and very steep island. On the first day that we arrived here, I wanted to stay here as long as I can. Nature is all around and children play at the park in the evenings. Grandfathers are seating on the bench with friends talking, playing cards, or just watching waves on the beach. People do their own things peacefully. Many tourists from the cruise ships visit for a day. Some long-term tourists seem engaged in their own spiritual activities.

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(October 5 – 7, 2017) It took us two days (one day sailing and one day motoring) from Madeira Island to La Graciosa Island in the Canary Islands. Motoring is noisy and the diesel fumes are smelly. A Bright moon appeared sometimes which helped the nightly watches. A small bird traveled with us on the boat. John found two dragon flies and also got bitten by a black/yellow striped fly. Where were they from at sea? He also found a flying fish on the deck. (After arriving at a new place, I grilled the flying fish and gave it to Swat,

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(September 23 – October 5, 2017) Portugal has a massive ocean fishing territory because it also owns the Azores and Madeira Islands. Madeira is a small island in the Atlantic Ocean, closer to Morocco in Africa than to mainland Portugal.

Until I visited Madeira Island which relies heavily on tourism; I didn’t know much about this island. It was a surprise to see yellow or red double decker tour buses, cable cars (from harbor to top), jeep tours, bike tours, walking tours, boat tours, and all the other organized tour operations. When we visited Funchal, the capital city of Madeira;

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