Oslo to Håøya (Norway), May 3, 2026, ca 15. nautical miles
The day we left to sail around the world felt like a finish line. The last three years of preparations has been a massive project in itself, and we’ve pored all our time, energy and money into the it. Through the hard times of hard boat projects, we’ve been holding on to the departure day as a kind of light at the end of the tunnel. And ever since we set our departure date about a year ago, everything has been scheduled according to it. Boat projects, savings goals, handing in our resignation at work, last plans with friends, etc. Departing marked the end of years of preparations without reward.
We sailed from Oslo on 3rd of May at 12:00. To our surprise, we left exactly as planned, without any last minute issues. We’d heard they’re common, and were expecting them.
People started arriving about an hour before departure to say goodbye. It was a strange feeling in the air. Everybody seemed genuinely proud and exited for our plan of sailing around the world and actually going through with it. But at the same time, they seemed incredibly sad to see us go and anxious for what we’re headed towards. It was like a sad wedding.
Right before departure, the municipal “Kiss and Sail” pier we left from was filled by all of our closest friends and family. Some minutes before casting off, people reached out for last minute hugs. I lost track of people and of time. As we left, I was ugly crying to the point where I could not see the knots on the fenders I was trying to untie. Erik and I both cried in silence for about an hour, perhaps from sadness, perhaps from exhaustion.
The first day of sailing around the world, we motored for about two hours. For about half an hour, when the wind conveniently came at us at 90 degrees, we pulled out our jib. We did not have the energy to hoist the main. We logged a total distance of 15 nautical miles, before arriving at Tåjebukta at Håøya.
Tåjebukta was warm and sunny. From a bench on a hill at land, we drank champagne while watching Albatross in the bay. The champagne was warm but it did not matter. We made it to the start line.