Travel It’s a great view from the huge rope hammock stretched around the bowsprit at the prow of the Star Flyer. Above us, 16 white sails billowed from four masts like giant white doves restrained from flight by 18 kilometres of rigging. Warm breezes caressed our faces as we listened to the sleek 110-metre hull clear a foaming pathway through the sapphire sea below us. It could be 1850, the zenith of the romantic era of clipper ships. Spurred on by the California Gold Rush, it was forced to an abrupt halt by the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869 and the development of steam-powered ships. In reality, it’s the 21st century, and we were embarking from St. Maarten on a Treasure Islands cruise aboard the tallest of the tall ships. Combine the romance and nautical heritage of a traditional clipper ship with the comfort of a private mega-yacht SAILING The Caribbean On A Tall Ship Story and Photos by Barb and Ron Kroll Passenger on Star Flyer bowsprit 22 | www.snowbirds.org
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