A round the world trip is dreamed by many but achieved by only a few, but it became a reality for ex pilot Alejandro Basail and his family, who finally returned to their home port of La Cruz de Huanacaxtle on April 23, 2016 after an adventure-filled time on the water.
His daughter Alfa, son-in-law Nicolás and grandkids Rio and Zen were his crew on this historic voyage that took an entire year to prepare in the Marina Riviera Nayarit, which they chose as home base to prepare their vessel and learn to sail in order before embarking on their trip on May 6, 2014.
“I saw a picture in a magazine article about someone who had sailed around the world and I said to myself, I want to do that!” said Alejandro Basail. “I did some research and I realized I needed a crew, so I talked to these crazy people who jumped on board without hesitation and we made it happen. This couldn’t have been possible without them, they’re the ones who took me around the world.”
The route was an approximately 32,000-mile round trip from La Cruz de Huanacaxtle to the Marquesas Islands, the Polynesian Islands, American Samoa, New Guinea, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, India, the Maldives, Madagascar, South Africa, Santa Elena, Barbados and the Antilles, Huatulco and, finally, back to La Cruz de Huanacaxtle.
The trip was completed in 11 months and exactly 16 days. “You realize you’re nothing, that you need a god or something like that to keep you going… that Nature is unpredictable and one controls nothing,” said Alejandro.
He commented on his most difficult moment during New Year’s of 2014-2015 in Kalimantan then spoke about his favorites—India and Madagascar—and that he was most impressed with seeing the golden whales. On a curious note, his grandson Zen learned to walk and talk on board the boat.
The vessel was a 39-ft Catana, 1993 French Model 18-feet wide and 40-feet long named ParaDocs. Their budget of MEX$35,000 per month and the wind in their sails helped them along.
“It’s going to sound funny but Mexico is the prettiest place on earth though we might not even realize it: we have the best food and the people, much like in the rest of the world, are humble, very sweet and happy,” said Basail during the reception prepared for them by the Riviera Nayarit CVB, the Marina Riviera Nayarit, friends and family.
A round the world trip is dreamed by many but achieved by only a few, but it became a reality for ex pilot Alejandro Basail . . .
