It was the first trip for both on the Esperanza. They started mid august in Halifax, Canada. Nadia doesn't remember their first encounter any more, but Miguel does: "It was in the helicopter hanger. She was looking for something." He then undertook some research, who was this nice girl with the black hair and got informed she is sailing as second mate. Did that impress him? "Yes, sort of."

But his first attempts were not really successful and unfortunately they never had a night watch together either. The Esperanza had already passed Iceland before Miguel managed to find good enough excuses to bother Nadia in her cabin with professional questions (thank God all mates have own cabins). The two were now hanging out together quite often, but still "I needed to know him better", says Nadia.

The Esperanza arrived in Tromso, Norway, where they got rid of the crew and went out just the two of them. And finally on the ship's way to Rotterdam, somewhere in the North sea they kissed. On the stern in the moonlight? They both laugh. "No, in my cabin. We were watching a movie."

Luckily their journey together continued for two more months until Capetown. Since then they have been travelling between Mexico and Canada. This is now their first trip again together. And it's not only romantic: "With the different working times and watches we don't spend that much time together", says Miguel. And when she comes "home" from her watch at 4 o'clock in the morning and is completely awake he sometimes finds it hard to really pay attention. "It's strange sometimes, but it's nice!" And of course the Esperanza will always be a very special ship for them...