.

"Nine years after conquering the Yachtmaster Offshore exam, Leon decided it was time for me to level up. No escape, no excuses—just adventure. He had been keeping an eye on my sailing journeys with Anne, my fearless first mate (and wife).

I had always been fascinated by celestial navigation and ocean passages, but let’s be honest—I had zero clue how to navigate by the stars. Leon, however, wasn’t one for long debates. With a casual grin, he just said, "By the way, there are a few spots left for a celestial navigation course in Malta." And that was it. Hook, line, and sinker—I was in.

Next thing I knew, Anne and I were checking into the Corinthia Hotel in St. Julian’s—an almost super luxurious spot right on the Mediterranean shoreline.

But there was no time for lounging in infinity pools; I was about to dive headfirst into one of the most intense and challenging learning experiences of my life.

Celestial navigation? Yeah, we started from scratch. And Leon? He had a special talent for pushing me right to my limits—only to make me blast past them.

One moment I was figuring out the Noon Sight, the next, I was out there shooting the sun, planets, moon, and stars—all within just one week!

By the end of it, we weren’t just students anymore. We knew how to pinpoint our position in the middle of the ocean—no GPS, no electronics, just pure old-school navigation skills. And let me tell you, that feeling? Absolutely epic.

Now, there’s just one more challenge ahead: a 600-nautical-mile ocean passage, far from any coastline.

And then? Yachtmaster Ocean, here I come! 🌊⛵✨!"