avatarMatt Ray

Summary

Matt Ray recounts his sailing journey from Saint Helena to Brazil, reflecting on the experience through poetry and prose.

Abstract

Matt Ray shares his personal narrative of sailing across the Atlantic Ocean from St Helena to Brazil, a journey that spanned 10 days with favorable winds. He poetically describes the rhythm of the sea and the assistance of the breeze that propelled the sailboat westward. Ray's voyage was part of his larger adventure of circumnavigating the globe by hitchhiking on sailboats from 2016 to 2019, an endeavor he refers to as Global HitchHiking. He invites readers to explore more about his travels through various articles and connect with him for further engagement.

Opinions

  • Ray expresses a sense of wonder and peace about the constant, supportive presence of the wind during his voyage.
  • He views his method of travel, Global HitchHiking, as a unique and fulfilling way to see the world.
  • Ray's writing suggests a deep appreciation for the beauty of the natural world, as seen in his descriptions of the ocean and his photography.
  • He seems to value the simplicity and authenticity of life at sea and living in harmony with nature, as indicated by his preference for sailing and working with the soil.
  • Ray's work implies a philosophical reflection on the choices made in his career and life path, hinting at a personal struggle with balancing practicality with passion.
Photo Credit: Matt Ray, Sunrise, sailing westward

Pushing Westward

A one-line poem about sailing the Atlantic to Brazil

We sway, back and forth, under the countless waves and swells, assisting the breeze — constantly behind us with 5–15 knots for the past 10 days since we left Saint Helena, the British Protectorate Island — pushing us ever westward toward the southern continent of the Americas, Brazil, and Cabadelo.

© Matt Ray 2021

From 2016 to 2019 I sailed around the world by crewing on sailboats or what I call Global HitchHiking. I ended up circumnavigating on 8 different boats. This part of the journey was from St Helena to Brazil. I have written several articles about St Helena if you are interested, and will include one here.

Want to connect? You can find me somewhere on this beautiful planet, usually on a sailboat or with my hands in the soil and my eyes gazing up at the clouds. Or you could find me on Linktree

For more of my work, here are a few examples.

Photo Credit: Matt Ray, Sailing on the ocean towards the Americas
One Line
Poetry
Poem
Travel
Ocean
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