An adventurous man quit his job as an engineer to spend his days kayaking around the Mediterranean – and is now accompanied by a canine first mate.
Sergi Basoli, originally from Barcelona, has been paddling the turquoise waters and sleeping on beaches for the past three years and has no plans to stop any time soon.
In total, the unstoppable duo have explored 3,106 miles in their tiny vessel and have made lots of new friends along the way.
Sergi Basoli, originally from Barcelona, has been paddling the turquoise waters and sleeping on beaches for the past three years, and has no plans to stop any time soon
Basoli and Nirvana the dog have explored 3,106 miles from their tiny vessel, and have made thousands of friends along the way
Taking to the seas, Basoli set off from the Olympic Harbour of Barcelona in 2013, and started snaking his way round the breathtaking coastlines of the Mediterranean
The intrepid explorer said he grew up watching too many Indiana Jones films and had always dreamed of living an exciting life.
He told MailOnline Travel: ‘That is maybe one reason why I wanted to travel, for adventures and discoveries. But also to seek a more simple life, near nature and with less possessions.’
Taking to the seas in 2013, he set off from the Olympic Harbour of Barcelona and started snaking his way round the breathtaking coastlines.
The only thing missing from his seafaring way of life was a crew member to share it with – which came in the form of his faithful four-legged friend, a year into the trip.
Nirvana quickly became popular on the kayaker’s Instagram page, where he is regularly tagged as SailorDog
Every night he sets up camp on a different beach, with Basoli sticking by a rule of never paying for a place to sleep
The pair take the journey as it comes, travelling between six to 18 miles a day depending on sea conditions. Nirvana is pictured here in Sicily
Nirvana, who Basoli adopted, quickly became popular on the kayaker’s Instagram page, where she is regularly tagged as SailorDog.
He said: ‘I found Nirvana in Alghero, Sardinia. She was in the middle of the street, confused, a bit ill, and with much fear. But happy to have met someone.’
According to Basoli, Nirvana needed a bit of time to adjust to their sea-faring existence.
‘She didn’t like water at first. She would vomit the first days, but then she got used to it and now it’s much better,’ he commented.
‘She doesn’t like the long crossings, but neither do I. We are happy to arrive on land.
‘She now jumps up on the kayak every time I pull it from beach to water and she has a jacket in case of wind and the risk of getting wet.’
Nirvana gives Basoli his paw as the sun sets on a tranquil and beautiful beach scene
This image shows how there is almost no room at all on Basoli’s kayak for anything but basic possessions – and a hound
Basoli revealed he spends around €200 per month on food and he earns some income transforming shells he finds on the way into necklaces, earrings and rings
Paying for this way of life is inexpensive, as Basoli prepares meals on a little self-made stove stashed at the front of his kayak and catches fresh fish using a line.
Every night he sets up camp on a different beach, and Basoli sticks, mostly, to a rule of never paying for a place to sleep.
During the colder winter months, he said that they do occasionally accept hospitality from people they meet, and have sought shelter in churches and even B&Bs when they are out of season.
The pair take the journey as it comes, travelling between six to 18 miles a day depending on sea conditions.
Basoli revealed he spends around €200 per month on food and he earns some income transforming shells into necklaces, earrings and rings.
He doesn’t have very many possessions, but does own a phone, which he charges at bars or by using a solar battery if the nearest outlet is too far away.
The kayaker also maintains a website, where fans can follow the duo’s day-to-day experiences.
He said: ‘I am not trying to convince anybody to live in whatever way. I am just doing this cause I like it.’
This image was uploaded to the pair’s Facebook page with the caption ‘Nirvana winning the hearts of the fishermen. Some good energy for tomorrow’s crossing to #Stromboli!’
Nirvana braces herself against a strong wing, far above the Mediterranean coastline
Jumping for joy: Nirvana takes a flying leap at Baia di Ieranto near the Amalfi Coast in Italy
The adventurous dog, who Basoli had cared for for two years, looks a little windswept by the sea in Filicudi, an island in Italy
Basoli said he is not trying to convince anybody to follow his nomadic lifestyle and is just doing it because he likes it
