The crew of the "Marlin": Nathalie Müller, Michael Wnuk and the daughters Len and Maya
"On long winter evenings we kept thinking about what we actually expected from our future," writes Nathalie Müller, 39, at the beginning of her bestseller "Sea as a Dream". The decision was made quickly: She and her husband Michael Wnuk, 48, want to buy a ship and discover the world with it. Except for a sailing license and a trip around Texel in the wake, both of them still had little experience at that time. Michael worked 16 years as a graphic designer and advertising clerk, Nathalie is still in her training as a doctor. There was no time for longer sailing trips.
Finally, in 2000, they find their "Iron Lady". The ship had already sailed around the world with the previous owners for five years and looks perfect. While Nathalie is finishing her training as a doctor, Michael sails the "Lady" to Spain with a crew that has been thrown together through the Internet. From there they set course together for the Canary Islands, then in 2001 towards Cape Verde and across the Atlantic to the Caribbean. Past Trinidad, Venezuel and Colombia, in 2002 they passed the Panama Canal in the direction of the Galapagos. In 2003 the Pacific crossing follows via Henderson, Pitcairn, the Tuamotos, Tahiti, BorBor and Suwarrow. We continue to New Zealand via Samo and Fiji. Arrived on the other side of the earth - and half time.
Nathalie Müller
Michael Wnuk
After the end of the hurricane season, they are drawn to the South Pacific again, this time to the Melanesian part. After a zigzag course through the islands of Vanuatu, the journey continues from Papua New Guin through the Torres Strait to Indonesia. Their daughter May was born in Malaysia in June 2005. However, the three-man crew did not stay in port for long. During the rainy season they sail on Thailand and Malaysia until it is time for the Indian Ocean in December.
The Red Sea seems too dangerous to the skipper for the further way back to Europe in view of the increasing piracy. That is why he sets the course for the Maldives with the goal of Chagos, the sailing dream in the Indian Ocean. The three of them treat themselves to three months in a paradise of palm trees, sand, sea and tuna sushi. They sail over the Seychelles to Madagascar, then on to the southwest. The way to South Africa across the Strait of Madagascar is difficult, "Iron Lady" needs three weeks to reach the first South African port, Richards Bay. Another daughter announced her arrival, and so the crew slowly trundled along the coast with the goal of Cape Town. But before that, Knysn invites you to stay, where Lendas saw the light of day in March 2007. Reason to interrupt the trip and travel back to Germany for a while.
May (l.) And LenWnuk in the cockpit of the "Iron Lady"
The "Lady" has been in port for three years and is only occasionally visited by her owners. In 2010, however, the skipper couldn't take it any longer, looked for a transfer crew and rounded the Cape of Good Hope. The yacht almost runs aground in Hout Bay, but with a bit of luck Michael crosses the South Atlantic in 2010 and arrives in Rio de Janeiro without damage. Partly with family, partly with crew, it goes south from there, with the destination Montevideo, Uruguay. A fixed high prevents the crew from sailing back to South Africa, forcing them to turn back to Rio de Janeiro.
From there, the journey should continue from September 2011. For two years with the family around South America. Daughter May is compulsory school and should be taught on board during this time.
Would like more? In addition to the sailors' blog here on YACHT-online, there are daily reports at www.sy-marlin.de
