Spanish sailor flies Bahraini flag during solo Caribbean sea tour

San Juan, Puerto Rico, May 25 (BNA): The European Explorer and Royal Spanish Sea Academy Member, Mr. ?lvaro de Marichalar y S?enz de Tejada, arrived last week in the Club N?utico San Juan in Puerto Rico aboard his tiny 11ft vessel named NUMANCIA, waving the Flags of the Kingdom of Bahrain; Puerto Rico; Kingdom of Spain and European Union. The Spanish Sportsman completed his Solo Caribbean Sea Tour: 8.000 Nautical Miles of SOLO navigating (without support boat) Touring the Caribbean Sea along 28 different Countries. The main purpose of his Expedition is the commemoration of the 5th Centennial of the European Discovery of Florida by Spanish Explorer Juan Ponce de Le?n in 1513, as well as Celebrating the 5th Centennial of the European Discovery of the Pacific Ocean by Spanish Adventurer Vasco N??ez de Balboa (back in 1513 too) ?lvaro de Marichalar followed both Explorers Watermarks. During the press conference organized at the Yacht Club of San Juan de Puerto Rico, the journalists asked him why he flew the Bahraini National Flag. The Spanish sailor answered that he had a special feeling and admiration for HRH the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain, and decided to promote the Kingdom of Bahrain in America and Europe through his Solo Caribbean Crossing as a Special Present for HRH The Prime Minister and for the People of the Kingdom of Bahrain. He also said that the Kingdom of Bahrain leads the Arab World in many fields like education and medicine, and that Bahrain is well positioned to lead the Arab World in establishing true, strong and stable links with the Occidental World; based on promoting and focusing on all the common links both Worlds share; like the big contribution the Arabs made to the European Discovery of America: Arab cartographers and navigators shared their knowledge with the Spanish cartographers and explorers, helping them to arrive and Discover the New World; bringing to America the heritage of antique Greece; antique Rome and the Arabic Civilization. Moreover; 500 years ago the Kingdom of Spain brought to the American Continent the Arab numeric system; magnifying glasses; medicine knowledge; algebra; toothbrush; lots of Spanish words or acueducts.... "The 700-year-long Arab presence in Spain highly contributed to create the Civilization exported to America by the Kingdom of Spain" ?lvaro de Marichalar Mr. Marichalar also said that Juan Ponce de Le?n arrived in Florida in 1513 discovering the territory where the USA would be born 3 centuries later. Short after Ponce de Le?n's arrival, the First North American city was founded: Saint Augustine (named in honour of the Saint born in Annaba (Algeria) back in the V Century) Since then, many Arab engineering techniques were applied by the Spaniards when constructing Forts; Universities; Churches and Buildings of every kind throughout all the American Continent. Most of these constructions remain in perfect shape now; 500 years later. Moreover, Ponce de Le?n arrived in Florida with the Arab horses the Spaniards brought to Puerto Rico some decade before; bringing the horses to America ("Mistingo" / wild Mustang) and opening the way to the foundations of the Country today called USA, a Territory where the Spanish Flag flew during more than 3 Centuries (more time than the new "Stars and Stripes" Flag) The European navigator finished by saying that it is most important to link Europe; the Arab World; Russia and Spanish America toghether; respecting the traditions of every Culture and avoiding trying to impose "political models" to countries where those political models just do not work. From the sportive and sailing points of view, Mr. Marichalar's extreme navigation is an amazing unique achievement certified as a new Navigation Record. Earlier in last month, Mr. Alvardo de Marchalar who had visited Bahrain and met the Prime Minister and said that he would fly the flag of the Kingdom of Bahrain during one of his marine trips. The gesture comes as a step to introduce the civilization and progress of Bahrain and its people to the world. In a letter to His Royal Highness the Prime Minister, Mr. Alvardo de Marchalar expressed his great thanks and appreciation to His Highness for the hospitality and warm welcome accorded to him during his visit to Bahrain. He praised the insightful vision of His Highness the Premier in light of the economic and trade situation in the region and Bahrain. Mr. Alvardo holds 12 world records in sailing, and a number of awards in this area, and has made about 40 cruises since 1982 . Mr. Alvardo de Marchalar is the founder of the TeleSat company, which is one of the first companies to provide satellite reception channels in Spain, England and France systems. He is also an activist in the field of humanitarian action and advocacy organizations working in the this area, such as polio eradication. He also writes and produces documentary films.