This weekend was a very enriching one, full of inspirational people and stories. We attended the opening event for the 2025 sailing season at Marina Liptov in Slovakia combined with RYA survival at sea course. We've tried getting into a life raft, different types of life jackets, handling an unconscious person and so much more. While we consider ourselves physically strong, the practice in the pool was more challenging than we expected. In addition to the hands-on exercises, we also learned a lot about racing rules, gennakers, and meteorology. We highly recommend the sea survival course to every sailor. While we hope never to face such situation, it’s better to be prepared than to be caught off guard if a critical moment arises. 🛟🏥🩹🆘

⛵️off-season means only one thing: full on winter mode 😏🏂🎿⛄️🏔️✨

Winter is coming, Jon Snow, and all that’s left for me is to drown in memories of my favorite places. One of them is undoubtedly Palagruža, an island located in the middle of the Adriatic Sea, between Croatia and Italy. You have to earn your visit to Palagruža with several hours of sailing, hoping that Poseidon will grant you favorable conditions and allow you to land on its only beach. On the island, you’ll find nothing but a lighthouse, inhabited by its keeper. It’s possible to stay here, and because of its remoteness, Palagruža is sought after by tourists. We’ve been there several times, once drying a torn spinnaker on the beach. 😅 If you’re ever nearby, definitely consider a visit. It’s a small gem in the vast Adriatic Sea. ✨💎

As close to the sea as possible Yesterday, we spent the whole day at Lake Neusiedl in Austria. It’s just a little over half an hour’s drive from us. The area near the lake offers an endless number of playgrounds for kids. Since winter is approaching, the lake was nearly deserted. The mirror-like surface and almost no wind didn’t attract any windsurfers either. Only a small sailboat could be seen in the distance now and then. I love the dry autumn that plays with colors. After a few hours outside, I couldn’t feel my fingers or toes, but it was worth it for that beautiful sunset.

The Ocean Race (meeting a legend) Any other Ocean Race fans out there? The Ocean Race, formerly known as Volvo Ocean Race, is one of the greatest and toughest round the world sailing challenges held every 3-4 years since 1973. Each edition of the race lasts several months and teams of professional sailors face extreme weather conditions and rough seas while sailing across continents. 🌍🌧️💨🌊 Throughout the race, multiple stopovers are held in cities around the world, where race villages are set up for the general public. Back in 2018 we flew to Gothenburg, Sweden, and visited the race village. 🇸🇪 We learned all about teams and their skippers, met the Ocean Race legend face to face (Bouwe Bekking🙀) and had a look at the actual race boats. Learned a lot about the ever growing problem of plastic pollution. We explored the boats and imagined what it must be like for the sailors while racing. Tested our strength in the Musto grinding challenge. 😅💪🏼 Last but not least saw in-port race and start of another leg. If you ever get a chance to experience the Ocean race, go ahead! Memories for life. The race is nowadays open for two classes of yachts: 60foot IMOCAs and 65foot VO65s. Next year, the Ocean Race Europe edition is scheduled to start on 10th of August in Germany and planned to finish in the beautiful Boka Bay in Montenegro. We've sailed to Montenegro few years back. I guess it's time to return. 😉

📝 September ’22: mom and dad’s first ever sailing adventure I was counting down the days for this trip. Words can’t capture the thrill of sailing; you have to experience it! And to be able to give my parents such opportunity warms my heart. 🥹 The excitement was doubled with my two brothers on board. I was blown away by how well my parents handled everything, especially when the winds picked up and the waves turned wild. So proud of them! 🤢🥴🌊🌬️ We sailed from Pomer, Croatia to Italy, soaking up the sights in Venice and Lido, enjoying all sorts of food. 🇮🇹🍕🍝🍷🥐🍦☕️ Spent several days having a blast with our buddy boat, Keiki. When my parents left, my mother-in-law joined us, and we dove into exploring even more new places within Croatia. What a trip!

Story of Nalu: 2020, the Year One of Our Biggest Dreams Came True I became a sailing addict back in 2011 when my husband Jakub took me and our friends on our very first sailing trip to Croatia. He grew up in a sailing family, contrary to me, who only saw the sea for the first time at 17. My love for the ocean began then. I started joining, and later organizing, surf trips for smaller groups of friends in Spain, Portugal, and France. The saltwater has always been a cure for my soul. After that first sailing trip to Croatia, we've been returning once or twice each year as school and work allowed. Many of our friends from that original crew in 2011 still sail to this day. However, we have always dreamed of spending more time at sea—not rushing from one place to another, eager to see everything, but slowly cruising and enjoying the tranquility of sailing. In 2020, we were fortunate enough to become the owners of our very own boat, Nalu. The name Nalu comes from the Hawaiian language, meaning “waves of the ocean.” It also carries a poetic meaning, referring to the amniotic fluid that surrounds and protects an unborn child. We hope that Nalu protects us from the unpredictable forces of the sea we have sailed and plan to sail in the future. We primarily sail on Nalu during the off-season, as we offer our boat to like-minded people who want to experience the same joys of sailing.

Spontaneous trips are the best, aren't they? 😉 With the weather being already a bit chilly at home, we've had a look at the forecast in the north Adriatic and decided to give it a go. Family never says no to fun. Sea being still pleasently warm and calm, sunsets playing with colors and empty places made this trip a beautiful ending to our sailing season of 2023. ✨

Having friends on board, double the kids, double the trouble, double the fun... 🤣 Plus twinning with friends sailing on Keiki. Could this trip get any better? 😍

The waiting until another sailing season starts is over. At last. I feel like I've been packing for two months in advance. Once again, sailing with close friends on Keiki. We had a blast. Actually, I was really looking forward to colder weather, winds and waves. Magna Tiles saving us a lot this time. 😅 Sailed down to Makarska, stopped by Kornati and discovered new hidden gems. 💎

Sailing on board "Painkiller" from Sibenik up north to Venice in Italy. Experienced some of our firsts. First time jet surfing, first time loosing the propeller... 😅 But what would sailing be without a bit of adrenaline, right? Looking forward to coming back and having a croissant and cappucino. 😋🥐☕️