I must confess that the weather was perfect. Due to flight schedules, the majority of the group had to arrive two days earlier than planned, which allowed us to regroup and, above all, to have two days of training, which was a real benefit.

We planned the route for August, aware that statistically it was the best month for our optimistic ambition of paddling a canoe 170 km to Pampatar. But I must confess and thank whoever is responsible for the perfect weather. On the day of departure, the first day of the expedition, we had planned to do 50 km to Merito because we didn’t have logistical support for arriving earlier. A good northeast breeze blew, allowing us to sail about 20 km exclusively and another 10 km paddling, reaching Manicuare and covering 59 km that day. For the rest of the route, where we had to sail head-on against the wind and current, the breeze began to pick up almost as we arrived. For the two longest and most critical crossings, from Sucre to Coche and from there to Margarita, the crossings were with light headwinds.

• The Tribe, my adventure family—I’ve been sailing with some of them for over 10 years and with most for at least 8—has been refined. We’ve become a family that has had to give everything they have for the Tribe to achieve what we have. Many of them didn’t know what they were capable of until giving everything for the team was the only option. Many have tried to join; not all of them mesh, but those of us who remain are a true family, a very unique one. In most cases, we don’t know each other’s partners or children, because when we get together, it’s for a new adventure…

• There’s one oar, I think it’s number 2, that always causes problems due to an imbalance issue.

The bottles that Maleia diligently collected are donated to the people of @BatidosSolidarios for reuse in food for those most in need.