Episode 10: The Great Departure

July 7, 1925. Finally, the great departure!

No more waiting—it takes a good two months to reach Athens. To look presentable, the hull should have been completely repainted, but the workers never came to finish the job... So Bonita sets sail with one side unfinished!

Photographer Léon Mouret, with tears in his eyes, calls out to the young sailors:

“Farewell, children!”

One last salute to the Bonne Mère (the Virgin Mary), and the sails are hoisted!

Ella Maillart recounts:

"At 22, my great dream had taken shape: we were four young women on a sailboat heading for Greece. And nothing will ever equal that initiation into the wonders of discovery!"

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September 22, 2025. Cast off!

It is with great relief and much joy that we leave the port of Marseille at 6:15 p.m. aboard Avel Heol, our boat (solar wind).

From the end of the dock, Grégoire calls out to us: "Ciao!"

After a year of preparing for this journey, we are finally at sea. It’s a powerful moment. What a privilege to see the horizon opening up before us! The adventure begins—it's a timeless moment. This is the great departure!

We leave the harbor; the wind is relatively strong (around 20 knots). The sun is low. The boat cuts through the waves, and we enjoy the sea spray refreshing our faces.

Farewell Marseille

After passing the Frioul Islands to our port side, night falls.

This night marks many firsts—especially our first night navigation together. Despite the absence of moonlight, the sea is not pitch black at night. We navigate between cargo ships offshore, lighthouses, the barely visible coastline on the horizon, and its scattered lights.

What is near? What is far? What is stationary, what is moving?

Navigation is demanding in this well-formed sea. Just like the girls a hundred years ago, some of us feel seasick, yet remain active and supportive during maneuvers.

We carry out our first nighttime anchoring in the bay of La Ciotat.

Encouraged and guided by our skipper Dyna, we helped and supported each other. In one night, we built a strong team spirit. We can be proud of ourselves.