Planned Legs
LEG 1 Malaysia to Tanzania ( via Maldives, Chagos, Seychelles)
This is what Jimmy Cornell calls the Northern Leg, the easiest of the crossings of the Indian Ocean. I opted for this because it’s what I would attempt. After all, I had never crossed a single ocean, let alone sailed long distances!
Despite this, the Indian Ocean is considered the most difficult ocean to cross among the three large oceans, with the Atlantic being the second hardest. This makes ocean cruising easier for those attempting to cross from the Americas.
( I would stress that ocean crossing is NOT easy, as long periods at sea can take a toll on our bodies.) I will write more on this in subsequent writings.
East Africa to South Africa, Cape Town – the final destination for year 1. I would plan to do one ocean per year. This would be( in my opinion ) the most challenging Leg, partly due to south setting Agulhas current and south-east blowing winds from Antarctica. The combination of these two forces can be extremely dangerous to vessels, not just for sailing boats. In fact, I spent most of my time researching this section.
LEG 2 Cape Town, South Africa to Brazil. ( via St Helena)
This is normally considered a milk run, and I would say, now in hindsight, that after the leg 2 component, I would be spending lesser time to do any forms of researching the routes.
LEG 3 Brazil to Caribbean – crossing into the Pacific using the Panama Canal.
This spot would include few sailing stops but this stop would also take me to do as much land excursions. This is Brazil, I live and breathe the Brazilian Football team, The Selecao, The team in Canary Yellow!
South America, is a place which I and I would say most Asians know very little of! I would like to see a few things to update my bucket list. I love waterfalls and Brazil or at least South America, is home to quite a number of beautiful falls.
Machu Pichu in Peru , is another site that should never be missed, I must say, the whole continent is really extremely attractive! I know so little of this place.
This Leg will be completed in the Pacific Ocean, thus completing Year 2 of the Voyage of Destiny.
LEG 4 Panama to French Polynesia ( possibly via Easter Island towards the Gambiers and towards Marquesas.
This passage is considered the longest Leg in the whole ocean crossing and circumnavigation. I am quite interested in exploring this part. For most Asians, this part of the world is seldom in their plans. There are lots of islands spread across the region. Exploring this area intrigues me, as it takes me back to the days of the explorers!
LEG 5 French Polynesia to Malaysia ( via Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia)
This will be the final Leg before I complete the circumnavigation.
In my original plans , the circumnavigation would be a 5 year sailing adventure, but I have cut this down to 3. This is a decision that I made while crossing the Atlantic, as there is a common saying, “sailors plans are like writing on the sand at the beach” where tides wash off the plans!
