Ocean Shots From Around The World

Summary

Matt Ray shares a collection of stunning ocean photographs and a poem from his three-year global sailing adventure.

Abstract

Matt Ray, a seasoned sailor, has documented his circumnavigation of the globe over three years with a series of breathtaking oceanic photographs, including serene waters south of Spain, the Indian Ocean's sunrises, and the enchanting Cocos Keeling islands. He also shares a personal poem that encapsulates the essence of his seafaring experiences, reflecting on the sounds of the ocean, the beauty of distant shores, and the longing for his loved one waiting at home. Ray's work is a testament to the allure of the open sea and the unique perspective one gains from global travel.

Opinions

Matt Ray values the beauty of the natural world, particularly the ocean, as evidenced by his poetic reflections and the photographs he has captured.
The author seems to cherish the solitude and introspection that come with long periods at sea, as suggested by the serene tone of his writing and the focus on peaceful moments at sea.
There is an underlying theme of love and companionship in Ray's poem, indicating his deep connection to his partner despite the physical distance during his travels.
The act of sharing his journey through photography and poetry suggests Ray's desire to inspire others or share the transformative power of his experiences with a wider audience.
Ray appears to appreciate the unpredictability of life at sea, from the challenge of battery problems to the joy of witnessing stunning natural phenomena.

Images From Circumnavigating The Globe

I recently sailed around the world by Global HitchHiking or crewing. Along the way, I gathered a number of shots — as you can imagine — as I was circumnavigating for 3 years! Here is a collection of some of my favorite shots and a poem I wrote while sailing one of the seven seas. I believe it was the Pacific.

Swish, swirl, slush, shwee The sounds of the water slap the boat around me I sail along the ocean deep With the winds I move and with time I keep Sailing t’wards the distant shore Upon arrival, I’ll push for more Sailing on to land and through sea Nothing but water around me, I see My love, she waits for me at home She loves me as the world, I roam I hope she’ll join me here some day I hope she’ll join me, are the words I say in my mind, I listen to the sounds of Swish, swirl, slush, shwee

The first photo above is of the waters south of Spain. We were sailing from Gibraltar to Portugal. We had a long, cold night, but the water and the wind settled down to almost a lake as we continued west, and began to motor. The next picture below was the rescue boat that towed us out of the waters on the same trip because we were having battery problems near Tarifa, Spain.

Photo Credit: Matt Ray, A Rescue Boat in Tarifa, Spain

The next 3 photos are sunrises off the back of the boat on one of our many passages across the Indian Ocean. I couldn’t tell you the exact location, nor would it probably even matter to you. Just think about being on a 40-foot boat and you haven’t seen land in over a week. It’s early in the morning, you’ve just worked the 4–8 am shift, waiting to be relieved by the next crew member, and these beautiful landscapes come out of nowhere.