Ocean Diaries: Sailing On A Home Away From Home

As a traveller in the making, I have always found it challenging to understand the concept of a "leap of faith" when it comes to charting new territories. So many people have told me how journeying across different corners of the world ushered them with an enlightening perspective on life. Yet, I am not convinced to tread an unfamiliar path without having a backup plan. But Vaidehi Chitnavis of "the_reeva_project" has left a lasting impression on me with her comforting words about life and its journey.

"It’s just one step, one mile, one day at a time. We tend to worry too much about the 'what ifs' when we should be focusing on 'why not'."

This resolve led Chitnavis, her husband, Captain Gaurav Gautam and her daughter, Kaeya Riva Gautam, to start their life as full-time sailors. "Most of us build a home and collect things as if making a shrine for us to deteriorate and die in. We decided to fill our life with experiences on our sailboat Reeva, our new home," she told OT.

The Beginning

The idea for an alternate lifestyle occurred in 2015 when Gautam was posted as the Commanding Officer of the Indian Naval Sail Training Ship Tarangini, sailing from Kochi to Norway, and back. During this oceanic tour, where his wife and daughter joined him on several occasions, the couple got inspired by the many families living and travelling on sailboats.

In 2022, quitting their well-paying jobs, the couple chose the sea over a plush lifestyle to permanently make the oceans their home. “Gaurav opted for the Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) from the Indian Navy in July 2022, and I quit my job with media. Thereafter, it took us a few months to sell everything we owned and get our ducks in a row before we moved onboard our sailboat," Chitnavis said.

From liquidating everything they owned to squeezing their luggage to a mere 120 kg, switching to a nomadic lifestyle meant a 180-degree shift. “Our life as sailors has been a steep learning curve, but we have moulded ourselves well.”

Starting Afresh  

After living a settled life for over two decades, the couple feels there is more to see and soak in. “Travel, especially the kind we do, where there is freedom of time and destination, truly changes your perspective on life.”

For them, the hassles of daily life seem trivial now as they choose possibilities over plight. The charm of travel has made them see magic through its hidden gems and eclectic offerings. From discovering Koh Phayam, a small island near the Myanmar border, to exploring the golden-hued beaches of Surin and Similan Islands, the couple ventures into many little-known scenic spots on their vessel and experiences a serene retreat away from the rush of city life.

"Our journey began in Penang, Malaysia, from where we sailed to Langkawi and Thailand. We stopped at numerous beautiful islands along the way, sometimes for weeks; sailed along the west coast of Phuket up to the Myanmar border, spending weeks at scenic shores, snorkelling and diving in the sea, and making memories of a lifetime."

Their long-term plan is to see as many countries as possible. "We are looking to sail further east, covering East Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, and the Philippines, followed by Indonesia, which, with its 17,500 islands, is a treasure cove for cruisers like us."

Life On A Boat

Setting precedence as “the first Indian family living full-time on a sailboat,” their life on the boat is a work in progress. Sailing around Southeast Asia, their journey involves living on a 42-foot vessel that is now their moving home. While the voyage is full of beautiful experiences, the real challenge lies in accommodating their life to a packed space which requires regular checks.

“We have been upgrading the boat slowly while we sail. It's been an enormous change, from learning to cook on a boat to navigating through rough weather and restricted waters.”

Their daughter Kaeya was homeschooled for the first year while moving from island to island. However, she now studies in a boarding school in India and joins them on vacations, living the best of both worlds.

About 70 per cent of the family's time in a year is spent at anchorages off secluded islands. "Sailing is divided into watches (shifts). As the boat needs to be sailed at all times, we take turns sailing, cooking, resting, reading, repairing, etc. All meals are prepared onboard, and we stock up at inhabited islands along the way."

Challenges

Since the availability of roads or airports does not define their journey, the family's most significant advantage is their ability to go anywhere and explore the sea wonders as and when they want. However, the visas are a real bummer. They find it difficult to get visas whenever heading to a new country.

“For instance, if we sail with an Australian family to Malaysia, they get 90 days visa on arrival, while we have just started getting 30 days visa-free entry. This means that we are always in a rush or have to figure out how to get visas in countries that don’t have on-arrival visas for us.”

Weather is another concern for the couple.  “We have experienced bad weather on a few occasions. But with time, we are getting better at predicting weather with the help of wind prediction apps and weather warning systems available in that region.” Besides, the maintenance expenses of their boat, which is about 30 years old, and rusts-rots much faster are also challenging.

As the couple continues diving deeper into the marine wonders and many picturesque places, they prefer a slow-travel approach. From trying diverse cuisines to learning from locals, they plan to sail around the globe immersively. "The only thing certain about our lifestyle is its uncertainty. So why not just live in the moment and let life unfold?" they emphasised.

Follow the couple on Instagram @the_reeva_project