Logbook Entry

Dates: 07/11/08 – 07/17/08
Lat: 36°17’N
Long: 05°16’W

After three months in the yard while we returned to the U.S. for family visits and took a one-month trip to Switzerland to attend a seminar at Rabten Choeling, we re-launched Gyatso with a fresh coat of bottom paint.

Our onboard library is now well-stocked with books about the ancient history of the Mediterranean Sea. In particular, David’s latest interest is in the Phoenicians who he thinks made an outstanding and under-appreciated contribution to the development of civilization throughout the Mediterranean. Our sailing itinerary includes plans to visit some of the important Phoenician sites along the way.

On the day before leaving Sotogrande, we were treated to a bit of local culture: a typical Spanish festival in honor of Carmen del Mar, the patron saint of sailors. From the fantail of Gyatso, we watched as boats paraded by and then the water taxi met a procession at the dock, collected the ornately decorated statue of the Virgin del Carmen and took it to the awaiting crowds on the nearby town beach. We stayed onboard, but could hear the celebration on the beach continue into the night until sunrise the next morning.