Charlie and the Captain: Kiwi model and her fiance blew their wedding money of round-the-world boat trip

Herald online

9 Dec, 2015 06:47 PM3 mins to read

Charlie Smith enjoying the water in the Mediterranean. Photo / Supplied

A Kiwi woman and her British fiance have done what many people only dream of: packed up their lives, quit their jobs and set sail around the world.

Not letting their limited nautical experience hinder them, Charlie Smith, 29, and her 24-year-old fiance, who goes by the name of Captain, set sail in May this year after selling their house and putting wedding plans on hold.

The couple put their wedding plans on hold after spending the money on the boat.

The couple left their home in Jersey, Channel Islands, and have so far sailed around France, Spain, Italy, Elba, Corsica, Sardinia and the Balearic Islands.

Documenting their journey on their blog Captain and Charlie the couple wrote: "See you later bricks and mortar. We sold the house and bought a floating home of our very own to follow the winds, explore the seas, play."

"Raised in the playground of New Zealand" Charlie is described on the blog as having a blend of Kiwi and British heritage.

"With fairly nomadic parents and a best mate for a brother her childhood was spent exploring Aotearoa whether it was by bike, ski, boat or on foot."

Charlie then went on to become a model and weather presenter for ITV in Jersey.

Her architect fiance is a Jersey native who built his first boat in his garage at 14.

Charlie and her fiance set sail in May this year.

Smith previously worked as a weather presenter for ITV.

Since setting sail, typical days for the sailors include sunbathing, reading, listening to music, exploring new towns, paddle boarding and snorkelling.

"We can sit in the cockpit for hours, discussing all manner of things," Charlie told MailOnline Travel.

The adventurous couple had been pondering further travel for years but the thought of hostels and backpacks weren't appealing.

"The sailing idea was a way to travel but take our 'nest' with us," Charlie said.

Captain, an architect, built his first boat when he was 14. Photo / Captain&Charlie

Charlie Smith and her fiancé, the Captain, 34, made the choice to sell their house and put their wedding plans on hold to embark on a new life. Photo / Captain&Charlie

Charlie was raised in NZ before moving to Jersey. Photo / Supplied

The pair are living off money raised from decluttering and selling all the possessions they didn't need.

"We got engaged in 2013 but so far wedding plans have been put on hold as we spend the wedding budget on a boat," Charlie told MailOnline Travel.

It may sound like a dream lifestyle but Charlie admits there are things they miss.

"We were told most marinas have WiFi, which they do but it doesn't work the majority of the time.

Charlie and Captain have been documenting their journey on their blog. Photo / Captain&Charlie

The couple sold their house to sail around the world. Photo / Supplied

"We buy a pay-as-you-go sim card in each country with internet access to make certain we can readily get weather information."

Despite spending so much time at such a close range Charlie said they don't argue as much as people expect.

"So many people ask us what it's like to be together 24/7 and really, we are just very lucky to be able to share this adventure with each other. Thirty-eight foot is too short to hold a grudge."