“Seventy percent of the earth’s surface is water; there’s no better way to see it than on a boat.” Marcie Connelly-Lynn.
Marcie and David Lynn embarked upon a new life in 2000 when they moved onboard their sailboat, Nine of Cups*, and sailed off to live a dream. Fourteen years later, they still feel it’s the best decision they have ever made in their lives. And it’s still fun.
Journaling about their adventures gave Marcie an abundance to write about, leading to her articles being published in Caribbean Compass Magazine, and ultimately to this book, number one in a series chronicling their world travels.
Marcie’s first book, as the title indicates, focuses on sailing the Caribbean, and she covers a lot of territory. From Saba to St. Kitts to Guadeloupe to Tobago and the Eastern Out Islands of Venezuela — and more, this tome reads like an excellent travelogue. Readers will want to be sure to read/view this eBook on a computer or newer eBook reader to get the full effect of the numerous professional quality color photos, which help to bring the travels to life.
Nine of Cups: Caribbean Stories is not just a book about sailing from port to port, or anchorage to anchorage. Lynn describes what they encounter during their sightseeing excursions (including the history of the locales), the local people, the anchorage conditions, etc. The imagery the author puts on the pages using words gives readers a “taste” of the colors, sounds, and smells, causing one to feel as though they are along for the ride.
” . . . We could have easily stayed here for weeks without blinking an eye. The natural beauty and pristine remoteness of these islands is a magic of its own and time doesn’t matter . . . the next set of islands beckoned . . . we listened and moved on,” wrote the author while in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Marcie and David sometimes meet up with fellow cruisers, but it is not their goal. They tend to anchor in places less traveled to meet the locals and experience the culture up close and personal — and sometimes just to enjoy the solitude. They also enjoy interacting with those indigenous to the areas they are exploring.
While having beers and burgers in Nevis, St. Kitts, they meet a Swiss couple and are invited to spend time at their nearby plantation. The visit ends up being a highlight of their adventure.
And, of course there is the story of Marvin the Magnificent, touring a rum factory, visits to numerous lighthouses, butterflies and dragonflies galore, donkeys, flamingos, iguanas and, well, each port brings a new adventure.
Sailors, cruisers and armchair voyagers alike, it is definitely worth reading.
*Note: The name “Nine of Cups” comes from a tarot card and signifies dreams come true.
By Marcie Connelly-Lynn, (Nine of Cups Publications, nineofcups1@yahoo.com 2013;Ebook,
