Sighting the Azores after 21 days induced a state of euphoria that was beyond joy. All the difficult challenges of the trip were suddenly obliterated with our rediscovery of the forgotten world. On the island of San Miguel, in the Azores, the crews were swapping boats and sailing off to new destinations. It was a truck stop for sea-hitchers. And it all began in the Caribbean.
Offshore sailing is a unique form of travel.
Imagine slowly jogging across the Atlantic Ocean. One can find work, accommodation or a ride on a sailboat by scanning the classified sections of yachting magazines, using a crewing agency, putting your name on a crewing list at a yacht club, or direct contact. In many places, direct contact at the marinas or pubs where sailors congregate is the best method. In Thailand, I found a lift to Malaysia by swimming far out to the anchored yachts in bay and chatting with the owners. Perseverance paid off with a crewing position.