Family's dream sail in the Caribbean - a memory for life
28 February 2024
Where in the world do you go to celebrate a 60th birthday? Sanna and Fredrik Rystedt fell in love with sailing in the Caribbean and took the whole family on an adventure that became a lifelong memory.
Name: Sanna and Fredrik Rystedt | Children: Emil, Beata and Erik with their respective girlfriends and boyfriends. | Lives: Stockholm
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- We dreamed of doing something that everyone would find fun and that no one had really experienced before. We finally decided to go sailing in the Caribbean, found More Sailing and booked the trip," says Sanna Rystedt.
Sanna and her family all have different sailing backgrounds - from experienced sailors to one who has not been on a sailboat at all before - and it was with excitement that they traveled to Saint Lucia in the Caribbean to celebrate both New Year and birthday on board the 50-foot catamaran. Some of the family had been on a cruise before, but they quickly realized that this was a completely new experience.
- With a sailboat you get close in a completely different way, visiting places that are completely unexploited! For example, we met a local family on an island and were invited to their home for dinner - it was so exciting and cool to get close to both nature and the locals.
What was the best thing about sailing in the Caribbean?
- Oh, you can't say one thing, because there are so many things that are the best! But of course the climate and nature. We snorkeled every day, saw lots of turtles, rays and fish of all colors. There is a freedom in sailing, getting to new places every day and experiencing the local, which is fantastic.
Diverse island world
Ranked among the most beautiful sailing areas in the Caribbean, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines has some 30 islands to explore, making for an exciting vacation. The route is determined by wind and weather, but starts from the island of Saint Lucia and often includes stops in lush Saint Vincent, the snorkeling paradise of the Tobago Cays and charming Bequia.
- I was surprised that it was so untouched and unexploited! It felt like Thailand in the 90's, which was a bit unexpected and very fun and exciting, says Sanna and happily tells us how Karin and Morgan, the crew of the boat, have been a great asset in everything from sailing to guiding and recommending the places they came to.
- In addition, they were super nice to hang out with. That was a big plus!
How was it to travel the whole family together on a boat?
- We have sailed a lot before, but one of the surprises on the trip was how comfortable and spacious the boat was and that it sailed very well! It is very nice to spend time on a boat and you get very close to each other and there is a lot of time to talk. It was also positive that there is plenty of space on the boats so you could withdraw if you wanted to sit by yourself and read or something. And anyone who wanted to go sailing could do so. There was something for everyone! A family experience and a memory for life, for sure!
Favorite stop?
- It was fun to see the mix of places from the lilal sans dune Mopion in the middle of the sea to the luxurious island of Mustique where we saw Justin Bieber on the boardwalk. So we really got the whole gamut. For some, Justin Bieber was definitely the highlight," she says, laughing.
Where is your next sailing trip?
- "We have previously sailed in Croatia, and we would like to do that again.
Do you have any tips for others who have not sailed before but are keen to book a trip?
- Do not hesitate! You will not regret it!
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