“Maiden Voyage” is the first book in the nautical trilogy “In Search of Adventure and Moments of Bliss.”
This book offers something for everyone. From retirees and those dreaming about retirement, to boat owners, adventurers, travelers, and armchair sailors alike, Hofmann gives the reader “slice of life” moments through her compelling stories and captivating photos.
About The Author
Lois Joy Hofmann retired after a 35-year career in advertising, marketing, and management. Then she sailed around the world with her husband, Günter, for eight years, visiting 62 countries. Intrepid adventurers, the couple now embarks on more conventional travel with the goal of understanding countries and cultures that they omitted the first time around. When not traveling, Lois resides in San Diego, California, where she enjoys writing and photography.
This is a couple who has always lived on the edge and has been challenged to explore new frontiers. Embarking on an adventure at sea, these former entrepreneurs are surprised to discover higher highs and lower lows than the rollercoaster corporate world from which they had escaped. The circumnavigation propels them out of the fast-paced fields of human genetics and biotechnology into the vastly different life of cruising. They had expected the circumnavigation to be a means of being independent and in control of their own destiny, but they encounter many riveting situations where they are clearly not in control.
About the Book
Lois describes the couples’ first voyage from France, where they built their catamaran, to their home in San Diego—a gripping physical, intellectual and emotional journey—in Maiden Voyage, the first book of her trilogy, In Search of Adventure and Moments of Bliss.
Lois Hofmann writes in a first-person style as if she is on location sending stories from the front in real time. Stories often begin with the date, location, and—for the nautical buffs—latitude and longitude. This inclusive book combines personal memoirs with stories about local cultures and customs, geography, catamaran sailing, and over 150 extraordinary photographs of their travels.
More About Maiden Voyage
Although more of a personal odyssey than a how-to book, readers can still learn much about cruising that Lois and Günter learned by doing:
- How to make the transition from Boardroom to the high seas
- What training to undertake for prepare for such an adventure
- How to select and outfit a vessel for ocean cruising
- How to train and manage crew
- How to live aboard in a small space, yet keep your relationship intact
- How to cope with severe weather and overcome fear
- How to deal with delays and disappointments
- How to “Mess with Boats,” e.g. fix boats in exotic locations, in a wry and humorous column contributed by Günter Hofmann
- How to find and enjoy those rare moments of bliss
All of this is punctuated by magazine-style sidebars for each country visited that provide eye-popping educational, historical and geographic facts.