I was sitting in the dim corner of my university library when I first laid eyes on the Spirit of Victoria. Scrunched up wads of paper littered the floor and grey light was barely breaking through the glass window when she cruised across my screen, sails filled by the wind with the wind. The picture epitomised a sense of adventure and freedom. Without a second thought, I clicked through to the Wild Horizons Waterfront Adventures website and booked a Champagne Cruise for that weekend. It was the best decision of 2020 thus far.
Stepping onboard was a sensory overload. Having scrolled through pictures and reviews of this vintage looking sailboat, I felt I knew her already. But so much of the experience is hidden behind the glass curtain of a screen. The intoxicating gulp of crisp sea air that makes you lightheaded and instantly relaxed. The dizzying action unfolding on the harbour. On one side is a worn and weary boat that once transported prisoners to Robin Island. On the other, glossy shop windows and chalkboard menus are dotted along the sidewalk. It is like watching two worlds collide while you occupy neither on this timeless sailboat.
We set sail with a chilled glass of champagne in hand and the sharp sea breeze ruffled our hair. The vessel throbbed as waves pulsed beneath the hull, but the crew moved around easily, calling to each other and pointing out natural and historical landmarks to the passengers. When we hit the open water, they paired up to hoist the sails into the air. With every heavy pull, the red brick sails climbed higher up the mast, creating a beautiful contrast against the blue sky. Working with lightening quick hands, the crew secured the ropes and the engine was turned off. It is tiring but rewarding work, giving a sense of authenticity to the Spirit of Victoria that you wouldn’t find elsewhere.
As the wind urged us forwards, the Spirit of Victoria felt like an extension of the sea. She moves effortlessly with the elements so that every dip and turn feels like an elaborate dance. I watched cloud tablecloth creep down the sides of Table Mountain as we sailed towards the horizon. Later, we refilled our champagne flutes to watch a burnt orange sunset transform the sea and sky. When we returned, the harbour was as navy as the night, with bursts of colour and light strung along the waterfront.
Wanderlust, fernweh, wayfarer – there are a dozen more words that describe the need to move, see, and experience. In a car or aeroplane, we lose sight of the natural rhythm of nature. On the Spirit of Victoria, I was acutely aware of every meter we glided forward, rolling over waves and gently disrupting the surface of the ocean. From the vessel, the city, harbour, mountain and ocean came together in an exquisite mosaic of colour. The Spirit of Victoria showed me the sights from a unique angle, and I could not recommend it more.
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