5 years onboard SV Deep Playa

Five years ago today—on May 30, 2021—the kids, my mother, and I boarded a plane to meet Tomer, who was already waiting for us on board Deep Playa.

The decision to completely change our lives happened in early 2020. Tomer found a potential boat in February, and we even chartered a similar model with dear friends in March, right before the whole world shut down.

We were supposed to fly out together to see the actual boat and make our final decision. But the pandemic had other plans, locking the world down with no end in sight. Tomer looked at me and said, “We’re not buying a boat without you seeing it first.”

So naturally, we bought the boat without me seeing it.

We were meant to take possession in March 2021, but Covid shifted reality, and my dear father’s health was declining. Life, as it often does, forced some delays.

But finally, on May 30, 2021, I took off from Tel Aviv. Our entire lives were packed into a few heavy bags (mostly diapers and snacks, let's be honest). I landed in Miami with an 11-month-old baby, a 3-year-old toddler, and a whole lot of nerves, ready to move into our new floating home.

On our second day on board, we celebrated Kai’s first birthday.

Now? They are 6 and 8.

They read and write.

They free dive.

They wakeboard.

Every day, they show us exactly who they are and what they love. They are homeschooled, which challenges us daily to be the absolute best parents we can be (and occasionally requires deep breathing exercises).

When Tomer first asked me all those years ago if I’d go sailing for a couple of months, I told him I absolutely would—but warned him it would be years, not months. My mom, on the other hand, was quietly hoping we’d get tired of it after a year or two.

Well, 15,052 nautical miles and 18 countries later... sorry, Mom!

Today, we are celebrating five years. And honestly? It feels like we’ve barely started.

Here’s to fair winds, flowing seas, and so many more beautiful moments (and the not-so-beautiful ones, like unblocking marine toilets, that keep us grounded).

Thank you for following our journey.

For our next five years, we promise to do our best to update a bit more often! :D