Zeilmeisje Laura Dekker
WEEK 74
Column-Logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad
January 16, 2012
Translation for Zeilmeisje Laura Dekker ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Each week in her column-logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad Laura Dekker will relate her journey around the world aboard her sailboat Guppy on her attempt to become the world's youngest circumnavigator.
This is Laura's final column.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Atlantic Ocean, Monday, January 16, 2012, 10:33 am
Almost round the world
It feels a bit strange that this will by my very last column for the Algemeen Dagblad. As you will find the newspaper with this column in your letterbox, I will be sailing into port in Sint Maarten. Right now (Monday), Guppy and I still have to cover 780 nautical miles [1445 kilometers or 898 land miles]. If the wind stay favorable I expect to arrive on Saturday, when I in fact I will have circumnavigated the world and a little more. In the last days I have spent some time looking back on the past one and a half year. I end up thinking the same thing over and over, that is that I experienced so much and time just flew by. Pointing out the highlights and the lows quickly is not so easy to do. I won't spend much time over the lows because even difficult moments have something positive about them. For example, my crossing of the Indian Ocean from Darwin to South Africa was very tough but I am happy that I did. Choosing highlights is quite difficult too. Oh yes, I really liked the Marquesas Islands (French Polynesia) and sailing the Pacific Ocean was great. So now I am sailing the Atlantic Ocean again. The North Atlantic Ocean, above the equator, doesn't make for too pleasant sailing as much as sailing the South Atlantic was super! I really don't know if I will start another circumnavigation soon, but I'd love to go on sailing the Pacific Ocean again. Before I do I will take some rest from this journey. I know that I will soon be the youngest person ever to have sailed solo around the world and that I took over Jessica Watson's record by more than half a year. Still this feels weird. But then I am looking forward to my arrival not really knowing what is in store for me although I know that my father, my mother, my sister and my grandparents will be there waiting for me and it makes me feel real happy that I will see them all again. For the rest... I will just soak in it for now and simply let it wash over me...
Regards,
Laura
------------------------
Zeilmeisje Laura Dekker would like to reiterate how much we were priviledged to have been granted permission to translate Laura's columns every week since the beginning. And so it is with gratitude and a little sadness that we now leave this record with many thanks to the Algemeen Dagblad for letting in us on their boat.
In friendship and respect,
Thomas Weber + 45N73W
Zeilmeisje Laura Dekker
WEEK 73
Column-Logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad
January 12, 2012
Translation for Zeilmeisje Laura Dekker ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Each week in her column-logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad Laura Dekker will relate her journey around the world aboard her sailboat Guppy on her attempt to become the world's youngest circumnavigator.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Atlantic Ocean
Thursday, January 12th 2012, 11:20 am
Countdown to the finish line
I am counting the days: in about a week my journey around the world will come to an end. We still have 1700 nautical miles left to go [3148 kilometres or 1957 land miles] and everything is going fine. We are now in the middle of the 'doldrums', a zone of rising airmass near the equator. Today was all OK, but yesterday we had many squalls with heavy rain and strong wind. Sailing the South Atlantic Ocean was great but sailing in the doldrums is very exhausting. To periods of calm winds follow periods of very strong winds and so on and I hope to be out of here soon but until then I have plenty of time to think. My trip was exactly everything what I had been looking for: the unknown countries and places, the peaceful quiet and vastness of the sea, the communion with nature. And so I have come to appreciate the sea, the sailing and the sailor's way of life much more. I am older now and so I know for sure that I want to become a professional sailor. However, I don't believe I could achieve something like that in Europe but I think there are plenty of options waiting for me in New Zealand or Australia. I spent much time at sea alone but I never felt lonely because Guppy was there for me all the time. Leaving my old life behind was much easier than I had expected. Well actually Idon't look back much and thinking ahead is making more sense to me. I am really happy I got this far now that I have almost circumnavigated the world but I don't think too much about this either. Some people are very much excited about my arrival in Sint Maarten much more than me. To me it feels like it is something quite normal to be the one to have circumnavigated the world solo as the youngest ever. As such to me it does neither feel like it is the end or the beginning of something but simply a part of my life.
Regards,
Laura
Zeilmeisje Laura Dekker
WEEK 72
Column-Logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad
January 05, 2012
Translation for Zeilmeisje Laura Dekker ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Each week in her column-logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad Laura Dekker will relate her journey around the world aboard her sailboat Guppy on her attempt to become the world's youngest circumnavigator.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Atlantic Ocean
Thursday, January 05, 2012Watching the stars
Yes, it's correct. As I wrote some weeks ago, I have almost sailed around the world. I hope to arrive in Sint Maarten in late January. However, the reports of the past days that I have started my journey in Sint Maarten in January 2011 are incorrect since I started my solo trip in Gibraltar several months before [ August 21st 2010 ]. This means I already succeeded in my attempt to sail around the world as the youngest person ever because I already crossed Gibraltar's longitude a second time a while ago. In any case setting a mark in the middle of the Ocean is a bit difficult, and anyway I want to set sail again for New Zealand from Sint Maarten. Anyway, we are making very good progress with the good winds which is somewhat unusual since we are very close to the 'doldrums', the zone near the equator that is knowed for its atmospheric turbulence and instable wind conditions [Intertropical Convergence Zone 5° south and 5° north of the Equator]. Sometimes you might get plenty of rain at a time and then things stay dry for a long time. The doldrums are annoying to wind sailors for its long periods of calm winds and high air temperatures. But up to now the weather is great but it is getting warmer all the time and Guppy is getting to be more like an oven during the day. So I am sleepin in the daytime and staying up at night. I watch the moonlit sea and the many thousands of stars at night and it is really nice. At sea there is no light pollution and so, given that the sky is not cloudy, you can enjoy a breathtaking starry sky. Apart from some fluorescent light sticks, the moon and the stars were my replacement to the usual fireworks as I celebrated New Year's Eve at sea. Because of the time zone difference I welcomed the New Year two hours later than in the Netherlands. In the very first hours of the New Year I could not sleep because Guppy was heavily rolling in the waves, but in the early morning the situation improved a little. Now that I am well rested I did a good clean-up on ‘Gup‘, so we are sailing clean and tidy for the New Year.
Regards,
Laura
Zeilmeisje Laura Dekker
WEEK 71
Column-Logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad
December 29, 2011
Translation for Zeilmeisje Laura Dekker ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Each week in her column-logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad Laura Dekker will relate her journey around the world aboard her sailboat Guppy on her attempt to become the world's youngest circumnavigator.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Atlantic Ocean
Christmas at sea
I experienced my first Christmas at sea.
How it was? Well, I did not do too much 'Christmas-like' things. A five course
meal aboard a boat is impossible in any case, but thanks to those annoying
waves I had to be satisfied with canned food. So with my small Christmas tree,
the Christmas garland and my snowman puppet I brought the Christmas atmosphere
to my cabin and with my Santa Clause cap on it all made for a very nice
Christmas. Still, in-between my everyday sailing choirs I took some time to
read Isabel Allende's book "Maya’s Notebook", and to listen to music.
I also had many thoughts about the people I love and no doubt enjoyed a nice Christmas
dinner at home. Personally I was happy to spend a simple Christmas where I didn't
have to visit the family and sit all well behaved at the table, I didn't have
to resist gorging on all the nice food
and I didn't have to talk my head off until hell freezes over. But I even had a
special Christmas gift just for me as the sun shined all day. It was nice to
spend the day without heavy rain and dark clouds and the weather is getting
better all the time. The wind was cooperating too and now the water temperature
is climbing, too. Not that I tested the water with my own hands. No, but it was
evident from the flying fish visiting for the first time since donkey's years
that came in last night. I had just layed down in my nice and warm bed when a
huge specimen came flying into the cabin and landed near my head. It trashed
around trying unsuccesfully to fly off again. And so I had to get out of my bed
and went fish hunting. Brrr... catching dead fishes is not one of my favourite
thing to do. Finally - and many lost scales later - I managed to grab him. I really
hope he has learned his lesson and that he will tell his friends not to jump
onboard my boat ever more!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Laura
Laura
Zeilmeisje Laura Dekker
WEEK 70
Column-Logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad
December 22, 2011
Translation for Zeilmeisje Laura Dekker ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Each week in her column-logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad Laura Dekker will relate her journey around the world aboard her sailboat Guppy on her attempt to become the world's youngest circumnavigator.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From somewhere in the South
Atlantic Ocean between Cape Town and the island of Saint Helena.
Finishing in the
Caribbean
It's funny at this
very moment as I write I have now circumnavigated the world: today I came in
line with the Netherlands' longitude and when I will sail in just a few days
along the island of Saint Helena that I will be on the same longitude as
Gibraltar meaning that I circomnavigated the world solo. I still have 4600 nautical
miles [8519 kilometres or 5295 land miles] to make it to the Caribbean where I
consider I will have officially completed my round the world journey. I decided
to make the Caribbean the finish line to my voyage and from there I will be heading
for Whangharei, New Zealand, where I was born. Compared to the number of miles
that 'Gup' and I already have under the keel, the Caribbean seems very close
but also far away. On the first two days after my departure from Cape Town we had
pretty rough weather, and then we were becalmed and made only little progress.
But now a nice Trade Wind has picked up and being at sea with such a good wind
is just great. And it is getting steadily warmer and that is nice too. Also I
am sleeping very well at night even though it is sometimes very cold. The days
just fly by even if I don't have to spend much time adjusting the sails or correcting
our course, which leaves me free to play
the guitar and to read books. Some of my time I simply spend watching the waves
and thinking about this and that. The only wrong thing happening nowadays is
that I have to clear the deck from the squids that have come to land. Squids
are far more disgusting to pick up than dried flying fishes. Squids often get
stuck to the deck and as I take them off the deck they often rip apart. And that
means I have even more cleaning to do. Well if that is my biggest problem for
now, then it goes without saying that all is going pretty good onboard.
Regards,
Laura
Zeilmeisje Laura Dekker
WEEK 69
Column-Logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad
December 15, 2011
Translation for Zeilmeisje Laura Dekker ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Each week in her column-logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad Laura Dekker will relate her journey around the world aboard her sailboat Guppy on her attempt to become the world's youngest circumnavigator.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cape Town
A moment to cherish
WOW! Last weekend I
experienced the greatest moment in Cape Town and certainly one of the
highlights of my whole trip. Some time ago I was invited aboard the Camper, the
boat of [Emirates] team New Zealand that takes part in the Volvo Ocean Race.
But this time I was asked if I wanted to go sailing with them. So I
participated in the In Harbour [Pro-Am] Race that was held before the start of
the second leg of the VOR. Usually I am not easily impressed but - it was so amazing!
It was great to be on the boat as it flew over the water at high speed, and it
was a great lesson for me as I watched the team working towards their one and
only goal which was to sail as fast as possible. Unlike them I have to do
everything by myself not in a team. Anyway, I won't have the chance of sailing
on a VOR boat that soon so this is a moment I will cherish for the rest of my
life. Last Monday [Sunday] the Volvo Boats departed from Cape Town heading for
Abu Dhabi. After I waved them goodbye, I too hoisted my anchor and I am now
sailing the Atlantic Ocean again. In the beginning 'Gup' and I we had luck
because a strong wind was pulling us in the right direction. But sadly the wind
picked up and shifted since so keeping on course became a bit more difficult. Coming
with this I get buckets of water over me all the time. But we are heading
forward and I already knew that the first 500 nautical miles at sea would not
be easy. So we just have to tough it out
for now. The ship traffic here is quite heavy too. I have to stay alert all the
time, so I don't get much chance for sleep at night. I hope to take some cat naps
during the day. So everything is going well. As always, it is mostly a question
of falling back into my sea rhythm - but it shall work itself out.
Regards,
Laura
Zeilmeisje Laura Dekker
WEEK 68
Column-Logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad
December 08, 2011
Translation for Zeilmeisje Laura Dekker ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Each week in her column-logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad Laura Dekker will relate her journey around the world aboard her sailboat Guppy on her attempt to become the world's youngest circumnavigator.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Guppy on the ropes
Cape Town, Thursday, December
8, 2011
Guppy is standing ashore
right now, but happily she will be relaunched tomorrow in the early morning.
Watching her hovering in the air and her having to sleep without the familiar
sound of the waves was pretty tough for me. But it was necessary since there
were still some problems to be looked after that I could not solve back in
Darwin. Also a good checkup after an almost complete circumnavigation won't
hurt. During the past few days I went shopping to stockpile on food provisions
and I did some other preparations for my next crossing. I also took some time
to enjoy Cape Town. This week I climbed up the Table Mountain. We started very
early in the morning and two and a half hours of good hiking later we stood at
the top. To my great surprise Table Mountain’s top is not a flat plateau as I
thought but very hilly. Standing there and enjoying the view of Cape Town was
breathtaking. After an hour or so it started getting cloudy, which was
unfortunate but then it was extraordinary to stand up there surrounded by the
clouds. I also visited the Cape of Good Hope, the most 'southerly' point of Africa
as some people believe, but really this title is held by the Cape Agulhaas. The
Cape of Good Hope is a nice but dangerous rock formation which I could now see
clearly and understand where I had been sailing through at night. There is not much
left on my schedule for the coming days. Last week I visited 'Camper', the boat
of Emirates Team New-Zealand that takes
part in the Volvo Ocean Race, and likewise with 'Groupama', the boat of the
French team. It's very exciting to meet this boat too from very close and to
talk to its crew. Next weekend the boats will start on their second leg to Abu
Dhabi. Then I too won't wait too long before setting sails with Guppy. I don't
know the exact date for my own departure since it depends on the weather.
Anyway, I guess I will be celebrating this year's Christmas at sea.
Regards,
Laura
Zeilmeisje Laura Dekker
WEEK 67
Column-Logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad
December 01, 2011
Translation for Zeilmeisje Laura Dekker ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Each week in her column-logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad Laura Dekker will relate her journey around the world aboard her sailboat Guppy on her attempt to become the world's youngest circumnavigator.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bobbing
towards the Table Mountain
Cape
Town, December 1, 2011
Sailing
into Cape Town felt like I was taking an under water rollercoaster ride. On the
last night coming in I had to reef the mainsail three times and when we rounded
the Cape of Good Hope in five metres waves, Guppy doing 8 knots under storm jib
only. The wind kept growing to force 10 on the Beaufort scale, which was too
much even for the storm jib. The furling drum jammed so I had to take the sail
down by hand getting all soaked wet in no time. With the water at 13° C it did
not make me feel too happy. But the penguins and seals swimming - which I had not
seen since the Galápagos Islands - made
me feel better. With the first morning
light the Table Mountain appeared, a grey-brown giant on starboard side as
Guppy, her masts now bare, heeled heavily. Coming into the harbour I was
blinded by the sun shining over the washing water and directly into my eyes but
I managed to sail 'Gup' between the breakwaters. Happily I came in time to
welcome Camper, the sailboat of Emirates team New Zealand that participates in
the Volvo Ocean Race. Last Monday I was taken to a visit on board. It is
striking how different she is from Guppy! Even though Camper weights about the
same as Guppy she is much bigger and constructed for pure speed. There's almost
no comfort aboard. The cabin is bare and the crew sleeps in suspended hammocks.
During the race the crew pushes the boat to its limits. Three out of the six
boats racing had to quit the race because of damage, two of those losing their
mast. I would really not want this to happen to my beloved Guppy. However,
taking a view on the life of a raceboat crew was fantastic. The city is abuzz
with the Volvo Ocean Race but Cape Town by itself is an amazing place. I still
don't know how long I will stay here but probably until Sinterklaas [Santa
Claus, on Saint Nicholas Day December 5] to celebrate with the Netherlands
Society. Also I would like to watch the restart of the Volvo Ocean Race to Abu
Dhabi [ Sunday December11,2011. http://www.volvooceanrace.com/static/assets/content/media/files/m50_Volvo-Ocean-Race-Schedule-2011-V3.pdf].
Regards,
Laura
Laura
Zeilmeisje Laura Dekker
WEEK 66
Column-Logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad
November 23, 2011
Translation for Zeilmeisje Laura Dekker
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Each week in her column-logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad Laura Dekker
will relate her journey around the world aboard her sailboat Guppy on
her attempt to become the world's youngest circumnavigator.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ocean giants and
land giants
Port Elizabeth
Wednesday, November
23rd, 2011
A good wind was
blowing so Guppy and I decided to sail directly from Durban to Port Elizabeth.
In the beginning everything went very nice. I spotted several whales, one of
them coming very close to us but sadly it did not stay on the surface long
enough for me to take a photo...I started feeling sick in the middle of the
night prior to arriving in Port Elizabeth. Maybe my stomach could not stand
landlubber food after 48 days of sailing and eating just spaghetti and rice or
I ate something bad – could be too it
was a mean virus hanging in the smog back in Durban and just waiting for me.
Whatever it was I spent the whole night throwing up. I felt so lousy I had no other
choice but going through ten minutes cat naps still making sure the alarms and
radar were on. Luckily I felt better by
the end of the night. In the morning I felt good enough to manoeuvre Guppy
safely into Port Elizabeth's marina. Then I had a good sleep and a full day of
rest. And so I could go along with my
'neighbours' to visit the Addo Elephant National Park, a nature reserve 50 kilometres from Port Elizabeth. I am so
happy I went! It is bewildering that in such a short time I could be with sea ocean
giants and then land giants! Besides buffaloes, zebras, ostriches and many other
kinds of animals I saw a herd of hundreds of elephants at a mud hole - that was
very impressive. Soon afterwards I would have liked to set sail for the Cape of
Good Hope but the wind was too strong and coming from the wrong direction so it
was clear I would have to stay a few more days and wait for good weather. But
then it wasn't such a bad idea to take
some rest from the tiring crossing from Darwin.
Regards,
Regards,
Laura
Zeilmeisje Laura Dekker
WEEK 65
Column-Logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad
November 16, 2011
Translation for Zeilmeisje Laura Dekker
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Each week in her column-logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad Laura Dekker
will relate her journey around the world aboard her sailboat Guppy on
her attempt to become the world's youngest circumnavigator.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[ Position not given ]
Stagger in Durban's
harbor
Regards,
Laura
(*) ZLD note: not a certain number of days.
(*) ZLD note: not a certain number of days.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Under construction warning: Starting here, latest post appear last. Please scroll down.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INTRODUCTION
August 1st, 2011
To all of Laura Dekker English and Deutsch speaking friends,
In the coming weeks we will bring you the translations in English and Deutsch (*) of Laura's weekly Columns-Logbooks published in the Algemeen Dagblad.
We would like to say how much we appreciate and are happy about this opportunity that was so graciously given to us by the Algemeen Dagblad. So big thanks Algemeen Dagblad!
Welcome to this new discussion board, enjoy reading more from Laura!
Thomas Weber & 45N73W
(*) For the Deutsch translation please follow this link:
http://zeilmeisje-lauradekker.blogspot.com/p/lauras-weblog-deutsche-ubersetzung.html
WEEK 1
Column-Logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad
Thursday, August 26th, 2010
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Each week in her column-logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad Laura Dekker will relate her journey around the world aboard her sailboat Guppy on her attempt to become the world's youngest circumnavigator.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"I have only seen two sailing ships and one school of dolphins"
After fighting the governmental instances for a year I have come this far - I am now on my way and going solo. On the first day at sea after departing from Gibraltar the entire situation still seemed somewhat surreal. But after one week at sea the penny has finally dropped. En route to the Canary Islands I have only seen two sailing ships and one school of dolphins. Otherwise it is all only water and that is just great. I feel free and I enjoy the peace that I needed so much. The sailing itself is going exactly as I knew it would. I am busy all day hoisting the sails and adjusting my course, but I am also busy with cooking and then sleeping. The time just flies by. Unfortunately, I got sea sick on the first day from the rolling of the boat. Every sailor experiences this at the beginning of a journey and that is something that you just have to accept. Happily I soon felt better thanks to a strong wind coming from behind and so my trip to the Canary Islands went a lot faster than I had planned. One night on my way I had to use the engine. And so I reached my destination Wednesday in the afternoon. I would rather not say where I am exactly because I am somewhat tired of the whole circus that has surronded me lately. It is not without reason that I headed for Gibraltar at the very last minute and quietly started on my voyage from there. I am now lying in a big harbour with my sailboat just one among many other local boats and no one has noticed me so far. I have not met any other Dutch people yet. Of course I will miss my parents, my sister, my dog Spot, my grandparents and my friends from time to time, but I am too happy about departing to be really homesick. On the contrary, I want to sail further away. All in all I must say that it doesn't feel so bad here with the sun, the sea and the wonderful view. I plan to go explore the island in the coming days. More about this next week!
Laura
WEEK 2
Column-Logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad
Thursday, September 2nd, 2010
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Each week in her column-logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad Laura Dekker will relate her journey around the world aboard her sailboat Guppy on her attempt to become the world's youngest circumnavigator.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'Cheating is not much fun if you are allowed to'
I never imagined that my life here would be so different. Back home in Zeeland [The Netherlands] I would get up at 6 AM to take my dog Spot for a walk, then I would go for a twelve kilometres bike ride to my school [7,5 land miles], that it rains or snows makes no difference. Now I wake up at about 8 AM - staying in bed longer is impossible it would simply be too hot with 48° C inside the cabin - and I immediately start on my schoolwork. I have a timetable to follow that was given me by the Wereldschool. Every day I have to do four subjects. I have written explanations with me that I normally would have from a teacher. The schoolwork is just the same: I have two subjects of choice and I have to do practical manipulations in science and biology. I have all the necessary material with me, the test tubes and all. Lucky for me that I have already done the sheep's heart dissection last year at school. Via the internet I can ask questions to the teachers but up to now it was not necessary. In Maths I am already ahead of schedule. Next week I have to do my first tests. I have a CD-rom with all the tests on it. I could use my books during the tests but cheating is not much fun if you are allowed to. It is weird that I used to stay in school until 4 PM but now I can finish my given subjects within two hours. After that I usually go for a walk in the harbour. Already I have met many people here and I have been out sailing a few times with the kids from the local sailing school. Otherwise I usually have cleaned my boat by midday and I stay in the shadow to read a book. In the evening I do the cooking and have supper, then I take a shower and keep up my website and also I call my family. My father I can talk face to face nowadays. That is because he is here with me to fix a problem with my rudder. It is nice to see him but it also feels a little strange. First I had to get used to being just by myself and now I have to get used to my father being here with me again.
Recuerdos!, Laura
WEEK 3
Column-Logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad
Thursday, September 9, 2010
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Each week in her column-logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad Laura Dekker will relate her journey around the world aboard her sailboat Guppy on her attempt to become the world's youngest circumnavigator.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'Tormenting myself with chemistry and walking on the moon'
Argh! I was just tormenting myself with chemistry at the moment. So I am quite happy to set aside my schoolwork for a while in order to write another of my logbooks. Last week I wrote about the reparation to Guppy's rudder with my father who came flying in for that. There was a problem with the bearings which could have made the rudder rust too. On a non-stop sailing journey I probably would not have noticed this. But once in the harbour I realized that the rudder was heavy to move. I didn't have the tools to do the repairs with me and so my father brought his with him. In fact my father had planned to drop by just for a quick visit but there are not so many flights in or out of Lanzarote... But we used this extra time to learn more about the island not just about the coast, and so we made a round trip in a rented car. The island has countless volcanoes and is largely covered with lava - really extraordinary. In some places it felt like walking on the moon. We have seen lava tunnels, a grotto with a small lake surrounded by trees and bushes. That's something I did not expect at all. Even though there is almost no vegetation here, the locals try to grow a little of everything. The way they go about it is kind of odd. They dig holes into the mountainside and plant something in it, then they enclose it with a little wall to prevent the whole thing from being blown away by the wind. Odd but nice to see! So even though my geography lessons don't cover the earth's crust so far, I gratefully welcomed this free lesson.
My father has now returned home and I will be sailing out to another island soon. Even though I have sailed on a few occasions with the kids from the sailing school, it is now time to hoist Guppy's sails. Shall I head for Tenerife or La Gomera or maybe... Nevermind, I'll have plenty of time to think about it!
Adios, Laura"
WEEK 4
Column-Logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad
Thursday, September 16, 2010
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Each week in her column-logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad Laura Dekker will relate her journey around the world aboard her sailboat Guppy on her attempt to become the world's youngest circumnavigator.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It's almost my birthday and then on Route
It is still sweltering hot here, but a fresh breeze is blowing now. Not bad of course... if I only didn't have to sit inside the cabin so I don't have to eat the desert sand that comes blowing in with the wind. Even though I really like it here in Lanzarote I will be sailing out again very soon. I still have some weeks to take my time going on but I am eager to see Las Palmas. I had planned to sail out next Monday but it will be my birthday, and even though I won't give a party it still would be too odd to leave. So I will be going on Tuesday afternoon but depending on the weather I might still leave on Monday and I hope to arrive [in Las Palmas] on Wednesday afternoon. I have a free place at the harbour for two weeks and then I will go to anchor in a bay for a while. Most sailors do it this way since a place at a marina costs 100 Euro a day while lying at anchor and with a "dinghy" (rubber boat) one can easily go to shore. This week I skated to the hardware store to buy some paint and then I marked each 10 meters [30 feet] of my anchor chain with a yellow stripe of paint. In this way when I drop anchor I can see how much of the chain has ran down in the water. On calm weather most boats run 30 meters [90 feet]. Letting go more and if the wind changes direction you might get tangled with other boats. Except for the painting there was not much else to do. Before I'm leaving I have to inspect the rigging and if all the openings and hatches are water tight. Forget about this and chances are that once at sea you will be lying in a wet and salty bed. This happened to me on my first trip to England [in May 2009], haha... I don't have plans for the coming days but tonight I have something nice happening - I am having supper with a Dutch couple who also wants to sail around the world. I'm looking forward to hear about their plans. See you soon from Las Palmas.
Laura
WEEK 5
Column-Logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad
Thursday, September 23, 2010
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Each week in her column-logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad Laura Dekker will relate her journey around the world aboard her sailboat Guppy on her attempt to become the world's youngest circumnavigator.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Birthday!
I do not feel like I am 15 yet but since last Monday, I am. Even though I did not have plans for celebrations I had a great day. At half past six in the morning my mother and my sister sang me out bed. A little later my father was calling to be followed by my grandparents and then the people of the harbour master office came in with a big fancy cake. I spent the rest of my birthday mainly under water. I went snorkelling in sub tropical waters and I enjoyed the beauty of the underwater world with my own eyes for the first time. And so these were my farewells from Lanzarote. Early Tuesday morning I set sail heading for Gran Canaria. This leg went without problems. Leaving the harbour I had winds from astern and I could go under full sails. The full moon was shining and the waves reflected its light which was so nice to see. I arrived in complete darkness at six o'clock in the morning. Then I went to bed which I could not do during the crossing. Waking up later I was a very much surprised to see the green mountains all around me. What a contrast to dry Lanzarote. Heavy rain then started to fall and so I could not go outside. Luckily the rain desalted and cleaned my boat good. Since it was raining so much I could spend my time doing very much of my schoolwork. My first tests I already did and I had a 9 for German and an 8 for biology [School grades in the Netherlands: 1 - 5 (fail), 5,5 (adequate) - 10 (excellent)]. Not so bad, is it? In the coming days I am planning to meet more new people. Next time I will tell about my first adventures here.
Sincerely, Laura
WEEK 6
Column-Logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Each week in her column-logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad Laura Dekker will relate her journey around the world aboard her sailboat Guppy on her attempt to become the world's youngest circumnavigator.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I am me again.
Yesterday I stood at the edge of a volcano - I really mean it literally. It was great to stand there all alone with a view over the island of Gran Canary and the mountain tops of Tenerife in the distance. It was not only the view that excited me - at that very moment I realized that I was feeling entirely myself again. It took some time after my departure from the Netherlands. Over there I was confronted with so many things: boards, journalists, hearings in Court and at the same time I was busy night and day with the preparations for my journey... And then I found myself sailing out of Gibraltar completely on my own. At first, I had to get used to it and I even felt lonely, a feeling I had never had before. It felt like being suddenly teleported out from inside a big group of antagonistic people directly into a dark forest. Luckily, this feeling soon faded away and now I am feeling great. I am in a very quiet and remote harbour where - only on the weekends - there is a bit more activity but still this harbour is well protected... In the evenings I enjoy the soft rocking of the waves, the silent caress from the wind and the stars shining much brighter here than back in the Netherlands. Anytime I want to I can get in touch with my family and my friends in just one minute. Actually I am never bored in my solitude since there is always something to do like reading, photographing, swimming or the 'necessary evils' of schoolwork, and then cooking or cleaning the boat... But then even this is not so bad anymore. That is because I make my own decisions on everything now. There is no longer "it must be done now" linked to everything and that makes a big difference. I am free to be totally me and that feels just great.
Saludos! Laura
WEEK 7
Column-Logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad
Thursday, October 7, 2010
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Each week in her column-logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad Laura Dekker will relate her journey around the world aboard her sailboat Guppy on her attempt to become the world's youngest circumnavigator.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'Sailors are very easy people'
"I was busy doing my first chemistry experiment. Using a test tube, water and a filter paper, I had to analyse the flammability of natural gas. Difficult, so it is good just to take a break to write another one of my logbooks. More and more sailing ships are coming into port, that are also preparing to do the big crossing soon. Most of them stay here only for a short period before going to anchor in a different place. It is nice to meet the crews from all those yachts. Sailors are very easy going people anyway. We are all sailors, so there is always something to talk about and we exchange our experiences sailing. If someone is planning to go somewhere, often I can go along, or I am asked wether I need anything. I recently met a family that is living here who organize dolphin-excursions. I joined them on one of the tours to see the jumping dolphins and that was really nice. I have permission to use their "mooring" - a sort of anchorage - after they leave the harbour. There are not only sailors around here so I am constantly meeting new and nice people. A few days ago I went to the local Netherland Club with people who spend the winter here. We celebrated 'Leidens Ontzet' [Liberation of Leiden, see note below] with herring, white bread and hotpot. It was very strange to do this at a 25 ° Celsius as the outside temperature. Stranger still: I heard that Gran Canary had been Netherlands territory for about one week in ancient times! Also I have been given lots of fruits. I am drinking banana milkshake every day and I now have a problem: plenty of mellowed bananas. Maybe the time has come to share with others. So yes, that is right, I am not idle and there are plenty of nice things coming. This week I will start with my Diving qualification. The day before yesterday I did my very first dive here. It was cool to see all the creatures that live deep under the water surface. I have seen an octopus, squids and many other kinds of animals. It really was different from the dar and eerie inland waters of the Netherlands, ha ha... I am going for another dive now and then I have to learn some theory.
Until next week, Laura"
ZLD Facebook Note:
Re: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hutspot
Leidens Ontzet (Liberation of Leiden): In 1572, the city sided with the Dutch revolt against Spanish rule and played an important role during the Eighty days war.
Besieged by the Spanish, Leiden was saved by breaching the dikes, thus enabling ships to carry provisions for the inhabitants of the flooded town. Yearly on October 3rd, the end of the siege is still celebrated in Leiden. The legend tells that after the expulsion of the Spanish besiegers a pot of carrot stew (hutspot) was found in their camp. And so the city population could have a decent meal after a long period of starvation. This is why this meal is served in all the restaurants on October 3rd, every year.
WEEK 8
Column-Logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad
Thursday, October 14, 2010
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Each week in her column-logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad Laura Dekker will relate her journey around the world aboard her sailboat Guppy on her attempt to become the world's youngest circumnavigator.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Souvenir
"When will you go sailing? When will you REALLY start on your Journey?" I am constantly asked this question on my website. Well, for 52 days now I am on my round the world journey. Since I left Gibraltar [August 21st], I have already traveled 1575 kilometres [979 land miles]. Many people believe that the starting point of my voyage will be when I start crossing the Atlantic Ocean. Sailing along the coasts, watching for under water rocks and ship traffic is much more stressful than crossing the ocean for three weeks! I will go across after the storm season is over which should be by the end of November. I am not in a hurry since my voyage might last for two years and my safety is what is the most important. The biggest benefit of having to wait is that I have plenty of time to spend in Gran Canary. This way I can work ahead of schedule on my schoolwork, follow a diving course just like I did today or go for a walking tour in the mountains. The island is still full of surprises for me. One moment you believe yourself to be in the middle of the Sahara desert and the nex you are standing in a coniferous forest complete with a mountain lake. I would like to keep a souvenir of each of the places I visit. At first I thought of filling a bottle with the local sand but if I start doing this Guppy will end up crammed full of these in no time which might mean trouble when they go flying through the cabin as we are sailing the open seas. It would be more reasonable to collect smaller objects. From Lanzarote, I just kept a small piece of stone. I still have two weeks in front of me to think about what souvenir to keep from Gran Canary, and then I will be "really" sailing heading for the Cape Verde Islands. As for now Guppy has to move and this evening, I will head for a new anchorage which belongs to a family who does dolphin-watching tours. I will also be allowed to berth for a week in a small harbour on the east coast of the island. Great news, my mother and my sister are coming over to visit. We have talked to each other often dor the past months but still it feels like ages since the last time I saw them.
Regards, Laura
WEEK 9
Column-Logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad
Wednesday, October 22, 2010
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Each week in her column-logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad Laura Dekker will relate her journey around the world aboard her sailboat Guppy on her attempt to become the world's youngest circumnavigator.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Paddling to shore
An hour ago, Guppy and I came in Puerto de Mogán, a harbour squeezed in between mountains. Setteld in, the first thing I did was to write my report for my column and then check my e-mails. I was afraid my mailbox would be crammed full. I get many e-mails everyday but being at anchorage without internet I didn't have access to them. It think it is cool being able to receive e-mails while I am at sea. At anchorage my sailboat is rolling all night and all day long and I have to paddle to shore if I want to go for provisions. I have met with friendly Dutch neighbours who organize dolphin watching tours. I went over to watch the dolphins with then and we also went for a banana boat ride - the kind you can easily spot along coasts in the summer. The banana boat was towed by a jet ski which I got a chance to steer after the banana ride. It wasn't so easy to do but I managed to stay with it! I also passed my diving certificate and already did seven dives so now I can go dive everywhere in the world. But this is only the basic diving certificate. Time goes by really fast. In just a few days my mother and my sister will be over to visit me. I want to go around this beautiful island with them. Temperature usually is 27° C around here [80,6 °F], so I guess we will be swimming often. About four days after they leave I should be making preparations for my own departure... Piling up on food, refilling with diesel fuel, checking everything onboard and saying goodbyes to many people. It feels great to be here but as each day goes by I feel I want to be back at sea soon.
Adios, Laura
WEEK 10
Column-Logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad
Thursday, October 28, 2010
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Each week in her column-logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad Laura Dekker will relate her journey around the world aboard her sailboat Guppy on her attempt to become the world's youngest circumnavigator.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
An angelfish with a big and flat mouth - so cool!
"It is strange to wake up in the morning and to hear noise around me. I had become used to being alone but now we are in a three again. At the sme time it feels very familiar to be with my sister and my mother again. It is just lke if it was yesterday that I had last seen them. Kim and my mother are visiting for a week and they too are sleeping on board of my boat. I gave it a quick clean up just before they arrived here, ha-ha. It is nice to be in touch again and to be able to take them around the island that I already know much about now. My mother and my sister are here on a holiday, and now I am feeling the same too. For the past few days we went swimming a lot and we also went on a tour in a submarine and I also went diving with my mother. We have seen a ray and an angelfish. That was really cool, it was about 1,5 meters long [4,5 feet] and it had an enormous big and flat mouth. Even though angelfishes often react aggressively I was not afraid but in awe as I just watched it. After we made some more sightseeing we celebrated my birthday. My mother gave me clothes and my sister Kim gave me a hammock. It is now hanging between the two masts with Kim lying in it. I haven't had a real occasion to try it by myself yet. Unfortunately, they are already leaving this coming Saturday. Then I will head back to the anchorage off the coast where I was a short while ago. I should need about five days to ready my boat to get back at sea and keep going on my journey. But then it so nice here that I would like to stay for some more time.
Adios, Laura
WEEK 11
Column-Logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad
Thursday, November 04, 2010
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Each week in her column-logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad Laura Dekker will relate her journey around the world aboard her sailboat Guppy on her attempt to become the world's youngest circumnavigator.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Next week I will head for Sal, the main island of the Cape Verde Islands
Counting days. On Wednesday next week I will set sail again. This time I will head for Sal, the main island of the Cape Verde Islands. Guppy will have to clear customs over there and I will have to show my documents and maybe the officials will come aboard for an inspection and a closer look at other things on my boat. A few days later I will move on to the island of Sao Nicolau where I am invited by a staff member of "Trans-Oceans", an organization that runs supply stations for long distance sailors all over the world. I will stay there for a week or two before I start towards the Caribbean Sea. I decided I will first go to Sint Maarten and then on to other islands in the Antilles. Perhaps it may sound odd but In December last year when I ran from home to Sint Maarten and then was stopped half a week later to be put on a plane back, in that short time I met many people that I would like to meet again. The leg to the Cape Verde Islands will take seven days, the longest time I ever spent at sea alone. But it is not a difficult trip. There won't be much ship traffic so it will just be a question of going on forward. I am already busy with the preparations checking on Guppy. I had a new radar installed on my boat because the alarm that used to warn me of the presence of ships close by , a very useful thing at sea, is not working. I will also have to buy the necessary food supplies. For the past weeks I was often invited out to dinner by many nice people I have met here. But now I need to make sure to buy enough food provisions for my crossing. Obviously there are shops in the Cape Verde Islands but not as many and more expensive. Until next week - from the Atlantic Ocean.
Regards, Laura
WEEK 12
Column-Logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad
Thursday, November 11, 2010
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Each week in her column-logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad Laura Dekker will relate her journey around the world aboard her sailboat Guppy on her attempt to become the world's youngest circumnavigator.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“It is a bit strange now with nobody around except for a few dolphins in front of the bow. It is a quiet route I am sailing with no big ships who usually sail along the coasts. I do not expect to see any other sailors on Route to Cape Verde Island all that soon either. Wednesday afternoon I was heading out to the open sea and it was just great to be sailing again. But still I had a lump in my throat as I watched the coast slowly getting out of sight. I have been in Gran Canary for two month so saying farewell to the island and the people I have met was very emotional for me, more difficult than I had expected. I had become good friends with a family, the parents and their nice two boys about my age. I shared their anchorage and they often took me out for activities. For example I went on the dolphin tour they organize. They also helped me a lot preparing for for my crossing to Sint Maarten with shopping and refuelling the diesel and have Guppy ready. In Cape Verde Island I will lie at anchor not in the harbour. This will make it more difficult to make the provisions as I will have to use my dinghy and go with my folding bike for transport. Anyway I feel a little better now than after the goodbyes. It will take a week for me to reach Sol, the first island where I am sailing to. As things are I will arrive on Thursday next week. It all depends on the wind direction. Right now I have tailwind of 5 on the Beaufort scale. The windvane, Guppy's self steering system, makes sailing easier since I don't have to steer manually. So for now I can just sit down and enjoy the view of the endless sea and its waves, the clouds and the sun. Luckily, this last one is doing a good job shining.
Carpe Diem!
Laura
WEEK 13
Column-Logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad
Thursday, November 18, 2010
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Each week in her column-logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad Laura Dekker will relate her journey around the world aboard her sailboat Guppy on her attempt to become the world's youngest circumnavigator.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Skype sometimes makes me feel that I am not away from home
"I hope to arrive in Sao Nicolau, a small Cape Verdean Island, within a few hours. Again the distance away from home has increased by many hundred nautical miles. But it does not always feel that far as I keep in contact often using my communication equipment onboard the boat. I have a satellite phone that I can use to call all over the world but with a little delay on line. I also have a radio on board. While at sea other ships may pass by and then it is nice to have a little chat. And I have a mobile phone I use when I am ashore, I just buy a SIM card for the local telephone net. With this card I do not have to pay for the calls coming in from the Netherlands. And then I usually have a working internet access in my ports of call. I receive and write e-mails and use Skype so I have seen my dog Spot a few times. He barks when he hears my voice and then searches for me at home, he does not really understand where I am. So, things are much easier for me as a sailor than it was for my parents during their world trip. They wrote very long letters and spent hours with phone calls once ashore after being at sea for several weeks. Even though it is easy and fun to be able to communicate like I do, I find it somewhat irritating to be reachable during the day...or night. Via Skype I can see inside the people's living room wich is almost like being there with them. It makes me feel like I am not away from home. But I have no wish to step into The Netherlands through the screen. Surely not while it is so cold and wet there now, brr...
Viva Africa!
Laura
WEEK 14
Column-Logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad
Thursday, November 25, 2010
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Each week in her column-logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad Laura Dekker will relate her journey around the world aboard her sailboat Guppy on her attempt to become the world's youngest circumnavigator.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Another whole week before I start on my next crossing from Sao Nicolau to Sint Maarten. I am really looking forward to it. I should be at sea for about three weeks during which all that will really matters will be to keep going straight ahead. All along the way the wind should be coming directly from behind. But for sure it is not a bad idea to check on course from time to time. All in all it should not be too difficult. Before I go I will check everything on Guppy, and I already have bought enough provisions when I was in Gran Canary. So I have enough time in front of me to fill up with Diesel fuel here in Sao Nicolau. The mountains here are grat and the greenery is plentifull. Along with other world circumnavigating boats I am lying at anchor off shore. This afternoon I exchanged many charts with another solo sailor, a German. I also have been on a walking tour in the mountains with a couple of other sailors. I almost died from muscle soreness after that which explains why walking is not one of my favourite occupations but still it was great. Around here you get a first idea about Africa is like. The only thing 'western' here is the telephone. Besides that everything is different: the houses, the roads, the nature and the people. Everyone here lives on the street all day and seems to laugh all the time. Many girls my age already have children. I learned this when I went to play soccer with some of the girls who simply settled their kids on the sides of the playing field. It is strange to think what my life would have been like if I had I been born and then grew up here. Oh well yes, this won't happen in a zillion years!
Regards from the nice and warm Cape Verde Islands,
Laura
WEEK 15
Column-Logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Translation for Zeilmeisje Laura Dekker
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Each week in her column-logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad Laura Dekker will relate her journey around the world aboard her sailboat Guppy on her attempt to become the world's youngest circumnavigator.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A shower with two bottles of water
"Laura, Laura, Laura!" Each time I paddle to shore groups of children come running forward to help me. I don't know what they are saying to me because I don't understand Creole, or Portuguese, or French or any other language they are using. It would seem that everyone here knows about me, and as I walk through thie village here on the small island of Sao Nicolau, I hear my name being called out often. Sometimes entire groups of children have fun as they walk along with me. They tell me stories of which I don't understand a single word. It makes me wonder if they should be doing something else like being in school maybe. To me this is a completely different world here, with the girls carrying heavy things on their heads, small toy cars made out of tin metal and garlands made from plastic bags during the festivals. Even though I find it all nice, I am leaving today for the one place of my whole voyage, that I already know a little about, Sint Maarten. I hope to arrive before Christmas but that depends on everything going well. It is a 2200 miles journey and there won't be much wind. According to the weather forecast this is not likely that it will change. Well, even with small winds I should make some progress. In any case if I stay here lying at anchor, I will never get there for sure. Besides, I am eager to leave so staying ashore any longer is not a real option. Guppy is crammed full with food and provisions, and I have more than enough diesel fuel that I didn't use on my last leg. Also in the last days I have brought fresh water bottles back to the boat. To refill the water tank directly here is not possible so by taking empty Cola bottles to fill up each time I went ashore it did the work. Only two water bottles are needed to take a nice fresh shower when en route.
Bom dia!
Laura
WEEK 16
Column-Logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Translation for Zeilmeisje Laura Dekker
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Each week in her column-logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad Laura Dekker will relate her journey around the world aboard her sailboat Guppy on her attempt to become the world's youngest circumnavigator.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The taste of fresh water
I am on Route from the Cape Verde Islands to the Caribbean Sea. I should arrive before Christmas and at the rate I am going it should be around December 17th. I have to touch wood, I have not reached the halfway point yet, haha. Last week some sailors in Cape Verde Islands prophesied that I would only have little wind and that I would not make any progress at all. Obviously this was nonsense. It happened only on the second and third day of my trip that I had calm winds and now there is a strong breeze blowing. But this also has a downside since Guppy is lying on her side and from my bed I can easily see the fishes swimming. I can't sit outside in the cockpit either because of the many waves splashing over. Just a short walk to the foredeck will get me soaked wet. So I spend most of my time sitting inside the cabin. At times the boat rocks back and forth heavily which makes it almost impossible for me to read, and at other times I find myself suddenly pressed to the wall. So as a precaution I sleep at an angle so I can push with my feet and with my head over on to one side. But it is not so bad since I don't have that many bruises yet. This time I was clever enough to stow away all the loose things into the cupboards which I had forgotten to do before my departure from Gran Canary on my way to Sal island. Altogether I can say that I am not yet fed up with sailing the Atlantic Ocean. It is all going very well. The only wish I have is to take be able to walk instead of climbing all over the deck and I would be very grateful for a heavy tropical squall just to taste fresh water instead of the sticky salt water. Unfortunately the rain clouds seem to always forgo me... Ahoy!
Laura
WEEK 17
Column-Logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Translation for Zeilmeisje Laura Dekker
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Each week in her column-logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad Laura Dekker will relate her journey around the world aboard her sailboat Guppy on her attempt to become the world's youngest circumnavigator.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I am not at all lonely
370 nautical miles still to go [685 kilometres or 426 land miles]. It seems strange to me that I will be ashore again soon. Life at sea became quite normal to me. In the beginning I had some difficulties getting used to Guppy rolling and to the sea water splashing over. But now those moments seem to be far back in time and everything feels just like if I was in my room back home with no internet or telephone, and so I do all the things that I would normally do like cooking, reading or playing guitar. And sometimes, for example when I am watching a movie, I totally forget that I am actually in the middle of the ocean. The days just fly by because there is always something to do. Recently I was very busy attaching mosquito nets everywhere – the souvenir of the many mosquitoes back in Sint Maarten ( in December last year ) is still fresh in my memory! Up to now I haven't felt homesick. I have had two short chats with the crews of two sailing boats that went by, and via satellite phone I talk with my father every day. But I can't say that I miss him for now. I know that this might sound odd and for sure I would like to see him again soon. I also find it super that my grandparents want to come to Bonaire. On this leg I twice wished to be ashore and be with other people. The first time I felt like that was when Guppy was really rolling back and forth with all the endless water flowing in. The other time was when there was not much wind and I was making no progress at all. But then when this happens I just need to remember the past year and all the bad experiences I had to feel really very happy that I have sailed away. As I realize what I have now, I know that not absolutely everything is so crooked and dirty and the bad feelings are completely gone.
Ahoy!
Laura
WEEK 18
Column-Logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Translation for Zeilmeisje Laura Dekker
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Each week in her column-logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad Laura Dekker will relate her journey around the world aboard her sailboat Guppy on her attempt to become the world's youngest circumnavigator.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A merry reception in Sint Maarten - just great!
It is great to be ashore again. For seventeen days all I did was climbing everywhere around my boat as I was being rocked back and forth. Now it is really nice to just let go of my controlled energy and to bite into a Hamburger. Here I can make phone calls, I can send e-mails and I can Skype with my father and with my friends. All of this is possible ashore, and it is just the same with the internet. It really felt strangely weird coming in Sint Maarten. All of a sudden there was an helicopter with a film crew flying above me and on the following day, as I was sailing under the bridge at the harbour entrance, there were hundreds of people cheering for me as the mega-yachts on the opposite side of the harbour blew their foghorns – that was great! Then I was invited aboard one of those huge yachts, this one belonging to a Russian family. It was so big that you easily could loose your way inside, and it also had a gym and all sorts of other crazy things. They really could not imagine that it was possible to survive, not even a single wave, aboard my miniature boat. True, my sailboat looks much like a guppy when compared to this yacht. Anyway, now I take it one day at a time. I already have had many invitations by different people to join them for Christmas but I still cannot decide what to do. In any case I will not be alone for the celebrations. And then? I want to sail through the Panama Canal in April so I have lots of time in front of me before I am there.
Regards, Laura.
WEEK 19
Column-Logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad
[undated]
Translation for Zeilmeisje Laura Dekker
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Each week in her column-logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad Laura Dekker will relate her journey around the world aboard her sailboat Guppy on her attempt to become the world's youngest circumnavigator.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Laura and the open sea
I hardly read newspapers and I don't watch much TV. And I don't spend time thinking I should read what is written about me. So I had not heard about last week news that said that I had become stranded and destitute. Well let me reassure you that Guppy is really not falling apart at all and that I have all I need... For sure I am on a very big journey, but as the judge's permission back in Zeeland came so unexpectedly, I simply did not have enough time left to search for other big sponsors before departure. Well I guess this won't be the last time that I will make the news... But the only really important news came to me when the judges gave their final say back then. On that day in late July [July 27th 2010], I really did not expect that I would be free to sail away. There had been new hearings added each time in the past. But as soon as my father had received the good news on the phone, I was aboard Guppy. At first it did not register fully in my mind. But an hour later as I realized what it really meant I fell into my father's arms, crying... I have been on my journey for five months now and I am now in Sint Maarten. I have met many people within the short time that I have been here and I went to spend Christmas in St. Bartholomew, an island that is 10 nautical miles away from Sint Maarten. Many boats made the trip and we brought with us kneeboards for fun, we went swimming lots, we went cliff diving, and in the evening we had a barbecue...Did I say that during the day when I was sailing an Optimist I almost collided with a turtle? I will spend New Year's Eve with the same friends and for sure there will be fireworks. But we will have to go to the French part of the island because it is prohibited in the Dutch part.
See you next year!
Laura
WEEK 20
Column-Logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad
January 6, 2011
Translation for Zeilmeisje Laura Dekker
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Each week in her column-logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad Laura Dekker will relate her journey around the world aboard her sailboat Guppy on her attempt to become the world's youngest circumnavigator.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sailing on the Stad Amsterdam'
First, I would like to wish a Happy New Year to all the readers of the Algemeen Dagblad! And also say thanks to everyone who supports me. In the coming year I will face some large crossings during my journey. But for now things are quite easygoing. New Year's Eve in Sint Maarten was pretty quite for me. With a friend we went to watch the fireworks show in Philipsburg. That is because in the Dutch part of the island people are not allowed to light up fireworks by themselves. Originally I had planned to go to the French side of the island to celebrate the New Year but then my plans changed. Instead I spent a quiet evening aboard another boat where I was invited, but then I did not feel too well so in the end I went to bed early. I was thinking of sailing off from Sint Maarten in a few days to visit other Caribbean Islands. And then something new happened! I am now writing these lines from the Clipper "Stad Amsterdam". It is a tall sailing ship that made the crossing from Europe to the Caribbean at the same time I did. Its construction was inspired by a 19th century trade ship and it was an occasion for work training of the young-and-unemployed and school drop-outs. So, I had come to visit the ship a few times, once climbing to the top of its 45 meters mast, when I was asked if I would like to join in for a sailing tour. And now I am temporarily part of the sailing crew. This means that I have to keep watch during the night, I have to help in keeping the ship clean and I have to do other small tasks, and this way I will be able to enjoy the islands we are sailing to. We will travel to Montserrat Island and the Soufriere-volcano, then sail towards Martinique, visit the 'boiling lake' in Dominica and go to several other special places. At this time my own small Guppy is safely berthed in the harbour of Sint Maarten, waiting for my return in about a week.
See you then!
Love, Laura
WEEK 21
Column-Logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad
January 10, 2011
Translation for Zeilmeisje Laura Dekker
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Each week in her column-logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad Laura Dekker will relate her journey around the world aboard her sailboat Guppy on her attempt to become the world's youngest circumnavigator.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Island hopping in the Caribbean
The most important reasons my world tour is going smoothly is that I don't think about possible problems before they actually happen. If something happens then I solve the problem on the spot. This is the way I am and this explains how I came to be aboard the "Stad Amsterdam". I had already been aboard several times visiting when I was asked if I would like to join for a tour as a member of the crew - "but we are sailing out in about four hours.” Well, of course I wanted to join! But the captain put down two conditions: as a minor I had to bring a written permission by my parents, and I had to take my schoolwork with me... Sigh... We have been at sea for a week now. Usually the “Stad Amsterdam” occupants are middle-aged people but this time they are students form the University of Maryland who are on a study trip that includes the visit of many volcanoes and the like. As I said, I am travelling as a part of the crew and I do night watches when it is great to be out on deck and look at the sails and the stars above me, and see the water glowing from the phosphor as the ship cuts into the sea. I have practiced using the sextant which was great! Using the position of the stars against the horizon, and knowing the date and the time I can exactly calculate our location. This is very useful in case of a malfunction of the digital navigation equipment. We were in the green and beautiful Dominica island but only for a very short time, so I will certainly come back with Guppy. We are now island hopping our way back to Sint Maarten where I will have to think about what islands I will visit on my way to the Panama Canal.
Regards,
Laura
WEEK 22
Column-Logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad
January 20, 2011
Translation for Zeilmeisje Laura Dekker
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Each week in her column-logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad Laura Dekker will relate her journey around the world aboard her sailboat Guppy on her attempt to become the world's youngest circumnavigator.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A cartoon character
An animation movie about me is in production. In the days after I left the clipper Stad Amsterdam a group of young American filmmakers has been following me around. They filmed a few scenes and from time to time I had to make a comment in front od the camera. Those takes will alternate with drawn pictures in the film. I am curious about the result. To me this is a very funny idea and really how will I look as a cartoon hero? Anyway I don't see myself as a real hero of any kind. Now that I have seen each and everyone of Sint Maarten's palm trees it is time for me to sail on and head for the Îsles des Saintes today. So yesterday I was busy making Guppy presentable but I did not really succeed. My cleaning attempt ended in an even bigger mess than if I hadn't tried. But I did do all the other things on my checklist. I stored my dinghy and checked all the sails again, I refilled with diesel fuel and the fresh water, I made food provisions and I went to the Customs Office for clearance, that is how it is officially called. That was necessary because I am going to a different country ... to France! Well OK, not mainland France but to Îles des Saintes in Guadeloupe. It is just 28 hours of sailing from here so it will be a small leg for me. But in any case I am eager to sail the sea again. From there I will go island hopping until I reach Bonaire sometime around February 10th. But I still have another task to do before my departure and that is to clean Guppy's hull under the waterline because it is full of marine growth. So I will sail to an anchorage further at sea and go underwater swimming to remove with a scraper the seaweeds, snails, shells and all the other stuff that I want to be sure is not there anymore. Happily, some friends will come over to help me so even thought it is kind of a dirty job it might become fun after all.
So until next week - probably from Dominica then,
Laura
WEEK 23
Column-Logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad
January 27, 2011
Translation for Zeilmeisje Laura Dekker
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Each week in her column-logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad Laura Dekker will relate her journey around the world aboard her sailboat Guppy on her attempt to become the world's youngest circumnavigator.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sometimes I miss my father very much
I just arrived in Dominica after staying at anchor off the coast of Îsles des Saintes, a group of islands in Guadeloupe. I haven't left the boat much because I needed to rest. Back In Sint Maarten many people came in to visit and each time asking for something different from me. Obviously it was not too difficult to find me then...But Seriously I was given letters and parcels with only 'Laura Dekker, Sint Maarten' written on them. All that attention finally became too much so now I find that a little bit of nothing doing is very nice. But I also had another reson for staying onboard and that was because it was often raining a lot in Îsles des Saintes. It almost looked like the Netherlands but still nice and warm. The people from the island too were surprised and thought it was unusual. That is what they said the one time I went ashore. It is funny to see how really French everything is except for the palm trees and the narrow pastel painted houses. The language is French, you pay with Euros and you are surrounded by baguettes and croissants. I haven't seen much of Dominica yet, but this island looks just like a little jungle to me. I am not in the harbour but lying at anchor with two other Dutch yachts. I have already been invited aboard one of the two. I also saw the Stad Amsterdam coming in, that is the ship I sailed on for ten days a short while ago. I will go over for a visit soon. Also I hope to be in Bonaire within the next two weeks. I am really looking forward to it because my father and my grandparents will be there too. Sometimes I miss my father very much... Of course in the early days of my voyage things were difficult but after living alone for some time it is all quite normal to me now. But still I am very happy to see him again soon...
Regards, Laura
WEEK 24
Column-Logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad
February 03, 2011
Translation for Zeilmeisje Laura Dekker
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Each week in her column-logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad Laura Dekker will relate her journey around the world aboard her sailboat Guppy on her attempt to become the world's youngest circumnavigator.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dolphins and...
Super! I am sailing on the open sea again. I departed yesterday in the morning and I have to sail 450 nautical miles to reach Bonaire. A few hours ago I had almost no winds but now a good wind has risen coming from the direction. So I hope to arrive in Bonaire in three and a half days or so. The sailing itself is going very well and I still have to see other ships but I have had the company of a big school of dolphins. I have to say that I was less enthusiastic with the company of big brown bird that perched on my mizzen mast right at departure time - it flew away just moments ago. Of course it found it necessary to poop all over the boat just before going. So I am now busy scrubbing the boat... Bird! Have I scared you that much? Anyway all sails are up again and it feels good. It was great in Sint Maarten, the Îsles des Saintes and Dominica but I was getting a little fidgety lying at berth... In Dominica on the evening before my departure I saw “Tante Rietje” again. I had already seen her in Gran Canary and I had been onboard of her with my mother and my sister on an invitation for dinner. We had "piepertjes" [small potatoes] and Hamburgers. My mother being German, didn't know the word "piepertjes" and for days she made fun of repeating "piepertjes" at unexpected times. My sister will also be in Bonaire too, that is great! I missed her so much. So in two weeks we will meet again and with my father and my grandparents also. Well evidently I still have to sail over there...I hope my arrival in Bonaire will be quieter than what it was back in Sint Maarten. Even though it was great to see hundreds of people cheering from the shore, still I am not Santa Claus... and I would really like to have a nice rest right after coming in...
Regards, Laura
WEEK 25
Column-Logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad
February 10, 2011
Translation for Zeilmeisje Laura Dekker
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Each week in her column-logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad Laura Dekker will relate her journey around the world aboard her sailboat Guppy on her attempt to become the world's youngest circumnavigator.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Not happy with one of NATO Chief of staff
I have been in Bonaire for a few days now but just today I heard about the Chief of staff of the NATO naval headquarter in Great Britain, Hank Ort message discouraging sailing yachts from going through the Gulf of Aden and he namely mentioned me afterwards. What he said was that boats that are on 'unnecessary sailing trips' should not expect protection from NATO. He made this statement after getting a request for protection by thirty boats planning to sail in a convoy across the Red Sea. I think it sad that NATO won't provide help to small boats. It shouldn't be too difficult just to be on standby for a convoy and to intervene if one of the yachts asks. It is too bad that people are getting less helpfull to others and think about their own only. Aso I feel it is a bit strange that I was singled out by Hank Ort. Sure it has come to my mind that I am doing something a bit special but I still I do not quite understand all the attention I get about it. For example, a short time ago a bird pooped over my boat and this was immediately reported by the media including the foreign media. This is nuts, really! I think it is the same with Hank Ort mentioning me specially even though there are hundreds of people sailing around the world and through the Gulf of Aden. Incidently yesterday I talked with New Zealanders who have sailed into the Gulf of Aden and they made no mention of pirates. Please don't get me wrong, I am not saying that there are no pirates, but it is not like there is a 99% chance of an encounter. And I believe that if NATO would be on the standby, yachts could be sailing the Red Sea in safety. Well, I am finished ranting about this now. Anyway everything is going very well for me now. I will go on a tour of Bonaire with other sailors soon, I really am curious to see more...
Regards, Laura
WEEK 26
Column-Logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad
February 17, 2011
Translation for Zeilmeisje Laura Dekker
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Each week in her column-logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad Laura Dekker will relate her journey around the world aboard her sailboat Guppy on her attempt to become the world's youngest circumnavigator.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A hospital without doctors
Straight out, I am alright after yesterday's car accident. We were on our way back from a kayak trip in the mangroves – where we saw parrotfishes, flamingos and a stray barracuda - when we were rammed by a sand loaded truck. Bang! The car is a total loss and I bumped the left side of my head. After the collision the truck driver, shouting, explained that the breaks and the horn of the truck didn't work and then he went on raging after it in Papiamento. We waited for an hour under the blazing sun before we were picked up and taken to the infirmary for treatment. We waited a long time before we realized that there was no doctor there nor at the nearby outpatient emergency centre. So we were taken to a family doctor where we also waited for a long time and then he could only speak Spanish or Papiamento. Finally, three hours after the accident we were standing in the street with a prescription for pills that are good for people with rheumatism, pregnant women and for people with swellings or headaches. Well, that was nice! So I was told to take things easy and to come back if I felt sick or still had a headache in a few days. But I already feel better so I am not too worried and I'll just relax watching a movie aboard Guppy... It was a shock but I still have my head on, I am not squinting and I don't see double. So a word of advice to the people planning a visit to Bonaire, don't get in a car accident and don't have one at midday …and if you feel like having a heart attack do it on a Thursday because that is the only day of the week there is a cardiologist in Bonaire.
Bon dia! Laura
WEEK 27
Column-Logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad
February 24, 2011
Translation for Zeilmeisje Laura Dekker
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Each week in her column-logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad Laura Dekker will relate her journey around the world aboard her sailboat Guppy on her attempt to become the world's youngest circumnavigator.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sailing an inflatable catamaran
It was a crazy week. I was at the Bonaire airport twice, once to say goodbye to a friend from the Netherlands who stayed over for a few days, and then to
welcome my father and my sister coming in on the same airplane that my friend took to fly back home. It is so very nice to see them after so many months…They are staying with me on the boat which is very comfortable for three persons. My grandparents too are spending their holidays here but are staying in a nearby apartment. The week just flew by. We swam and snorkeled a lot and we went sailing with people that I have met here. But for my sister, eveyone liked it. She is a real landlubber but the second time around she found it fun.That was after we saw someone assembling a Mini-Cat at the beach. It's a small catamaran with inflatable floaters that can be put up in half an hour. And to our great pleasure we could try sailing it. The
rain season is not over in Bonaire and right now it is raining heavily. We wanted to have a barbecue but with the rain it won't be possible so we'll just stay aboard Guppy and still have fun. Sadly my sister is flying home
tomorrow because it is time for her to go back to school. After her
departure I will take a few days to do some minor repairs on Guppy and then I too will head for the Netherlands… It will be strange to be there for a
week even though I am looking forward to it because I will be at the HISWA. But I am not looking forward to the cold with the current temperatures around the freezing point and snow falling from time to time, Brr...Anyone wants to lend me a winter coat? So until next week in the hopefully not too cold
Amsterdam…
Laura
WEEK 28
Column-Logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad
March 03, 2011
Translation for Zeilmeisje Laura Dekker
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Each week in her column-logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad Laura Dekker will relate her journey around the world aboard her sailboat Guppy on her attempt to become the world's youngest circumnavigator.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My visit back in the Netherlands just flew by
My visit back here in the Netherlands just flew by. I had mixed feelings coming back before I was even here. The cold, the stress, so many people wanting something from me and an overfilled schedule. But then I fell into the rythm. So I was kept busy with presentations and sailing lessons at the HISWA [HISWA Amsterdam Boat Show] and other things, not to mention meeting friends and acquaintances. I also have been to get my vaccinations for Hepatitis A and B and some others at the harbour hospital - I also bought medication for malaria. I worked hard on my presentation to sailors at the Yachtclub Ijmuiden last Wednesday evening - it was an extraordinary experience. I was not nervous about it but once I stood in front of the audience I talked too fast. I did the same while reading excerpts from my coming book. But then I relaxed and I answered enthusiastic questions about the sailing and many other related things. It was very good experience speaking for an audience of sailing enthusiasts and many friendly people came talking to me afterwards. It would seem that people are thinking much more positively about my journey now than they were before... And then it felt so very nice to be back for a while with the people I love. In the coming days I will spend my time with my mother and my sister and my father, and my grandparents who have just landed at Schiphol Airport coming in from Bonaire. I will sleep one night ‘at home’ in Den Osse and before I realize it I will be back on the plane heading for my real home for the coming year, Guppy. Nex week I will sail from Bonaire to Curaçao Island bringing a whole bunch of good memories with me. Thanks Netherlands!
Love, Laura
WEEK 29
Column-Logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad
March 10, 2011
Translation for Zeilmeisje Laura Dekker
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Each week in her column-logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad Laura Dekker will relate her journey around the world aboard her sailboat Guppy on her attempt to become the world's youngest circumnavigator.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is the journey of my dreams
I did not know that just one week in the Netherlands could be that tiring! Don't get me wrong, it was really very nice go back but it was exhausting. It happened all in a straight sequence, flying, running, doing speeches and interviews, but also giving sailing lessons at the HISWA and with many other things to do. Still, I spent all the time I possibly could with my parents, my family and my friends. In the end I could not do all the things I had planned doing. On Wednesday, my father and my grandparents took me to Schiphol airport and here I am now back home aboard Guppy. In a few days I will set sail, first to Curacao or Aruba for provisions and diesel in prevision of the Pacific Ocean crossing, and then on to San Blas Islands. Many sailors like me make a last stop there before going through the Panama Canal. In itself going to the San Blas Islands is exciting to me. I have heard that real Indians live there and that you can pay for things with coconuts. One coconut is worth ten cents [ 1/10 Dollar US ]. I am curious to see this with my own eyes. I have been asked many times why I am not sailing non-stop around the world like Jessica Watson did. The answer is that the way I am doing my journey is for me to sail around the globe while at the same time seeing as much as I can of the people and the countries I will visit. As such each new destination is a lesson in geography, biology, history, English or... I believe I will learn more than I would have in two years at school. So even though it would be great if I finish my journey as the youngest person ever to do so, it is also important to me that this be the journey of my dreams. I am on this journey for myself, not because of anyone else.
Until next week, Laura
WEEK 30
Column-Logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad
March 17, 2011
Translation for Zeilmeisje Laura Dekker
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Each week in her column-logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad Laura Dekker will relate her journey around the world aboard her sailboat Guppy on her attempt to become the world's youngest circumnavigator.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
En Route to Panama
I am on Route again, 600 nautical miles on and I hope to be in San Blas tomorrow which will be my last stop before the Panama Canal. I was planning on going to Curacao or Aruba to make food provisions for the crossing of the Pacific Ocean, but then I changed my mind since I have learned that it could be done cheaper in Panama. There it won't be necessary to import everything from the Netherlands. So I'll just sail on. The Panama Canal is a highly frequented traffic lane where one has to go by the rules. First, your boat has to be measured and inspected and then you have to search for a crew. This is the only leg of my journey that I won't be sailing alone. The Panama Canal is narrow and to avoid accidents a pilot has to be aboard along with four helping hands for the locks. As it is, it is important to stay in the middle of the lock as it fills up to as high as nine meters. So four cables are streched from the sides of the lock and have to be mended. It does take some time until all this is organized. And then you are told when you will be allowed to go through...This may take several weeks. Anyway for now I am enjoying sailing, some 50 nautical miles off shore with nothing but water around me in the past days. I have had cargo ships passing me by, two of which were on a collision course with me and one didn't answer my VHF-radio call, but luckily I was able to spot it far in the distance. It is full moon and so I can see far into the night which is useful for spotting squalls but up to now I have had great weather with winds coming from behind at force 6 (?) on the Beaufort scale, can't be better.
Regards from the sea, Laura
WEEK 31
Column-Logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad
March 23, 2011
Translation for Zeilmeisje Laura Dekker
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Each week in her column-logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad Laura Dekker will relate her journey around the world aboard her sailboat Guppy on her attempt to become the world's youngest circumnavigator.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It feels like stepping into a tourist guide
White sandy beaches, palm trees, a brightly shining sun and an azure colored sea. To me it is just like stepping into a tourist guide. The San Blas Islands are so incredibly beautiful. Yesterday there was a barbecue on one of the islands for all sailors at anchor, like me. I met many nice people here even Abby Sunderland neighboors. Last year Abby was sailing non-stop around the world going for the youngest to do so at sixteen. A really heavy storm in the middle ofIndian Ocean had her abandon her journey. In the past days I have gathered some useful information on Panama where I will be in a a few days. I am very curious as to how much time it will take to go through. My parents waited three weeks passing through with their yacht. I contacted the Dutch embassy but I would be surprised if they can do anything to help me now. In the Panama Canal cargos are privileged so as a yacht you go just go behind. So I guess I'll just have to be patient. Crossing the Pacific Ocean I'll makejust a few stops. As I get to Australia I will see my father again, more than half a year ago since...
Laura
WEEK 32
Column-Logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad
March 31, 2011
Translation for Zeilmeisje Laura Dekker
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Each week in her column-logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad Laura Dekker will relate her journey around the world aboard her sailboat Guppy on her attempt to become the world's youngest circumnavigator.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I am in Panama but it looks like Rotterdam
I am tired! The voyage from San Blas Islands to the Panama Canal is now a done thing. I departed Tuesday in the afternoon and I arrived this morning [actually it was yesterday that Laura arrived, Wednesday, March 30] and I am now in a harbour near Colón [ at the Shelter Bay Marina]. The sailing itself was great with strong winds coming at an angle from behind with only a little swell. Guppy almost found her way here on her own but I did not sleep during the crossing because there was too much cargo traffic. Even though I am used to cargo traffic from my trips to England [May 2009 and June 2010] I had to be on the look out just in case. Coming in was like arriving in Rotterdam, it almost looked the same with all the cargo ships but with mountains and palm trees all over. As soon as I was in I had to organize a few things. My boat has been measured and inspected and I completed dozens of forms writing down the usual information. So I am now on the waiting list. I already knew about this and I know that it will take a few days before I am alloted a line-up place. There are already a dozen yachts lying at harbour and about fifteen more at anchor off shore that stand before me. I didn't like it at all when a bunch of journalists got right in front of my nose when I docked in the harbour. I had to explain that I hadn't slept for 24 hours and still had many other things to do so I asked them to come back the day after. No way. They kept taking pictures and asking questions. One of them even asked me my name. After that I kept to myself aboard my boat boiling with rage for many hours. Really, is it that difficult to show a little respect? But now the anger is gone and I am looking forward to a good sleep. I will have dinner first and then I will go to bed. Until next week, live from Panama Canal then!
Regards, Laura
WEEK 33
Column-Logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad
April 6, 2011
Translation for Zeilmeisje Laura Dekker
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Each week in her column-logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad Laura Dekker will relate her journey around the world aboard her sailboat Guppy on her attempt to become the world's youngest circumnavigator.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Panama Canal
I am back from a close look at the Panama Canal. Tomorrow [Sunday, April 10] I will be going through with Guppy. So I went through a first time as a line handler on a friend's boat who was going through. As I said before you need a minimum crew of six people in the Canal: four people to hold the cables to keep the boat in the middle as you travel in the locks a pilot who gives advice and yourself the skipper to keep an eye on everything. In the first lock it quickly became real busy. We went in three yachts together with a cargo ship in front and one behind us. So, the yachts had to be tied together which had to be done in a hurry. After that things were easy for me since I was on the middle boat and had nothing to do anymore. And then it all went well with the following locks. I had heard horror stories before but it felt just like going through a lock back in the Netherlands. In the very last lock we saw an ambulance coming right after we had been through. Obviously something must have gone wrong with one of the boats coming after us. The rumour is that someone has lost many fingers... So, the tour through the Canal went great. We have wonderful views of the mountain tops and the forest, and at night we hear the monkeys screaming. We also have had time for water jockeying between ourselves. It took one and a half day to do the trip and in the evening of the second day all line handlers went back to Colón from Panama City by car. Tonight there is a party at the harbour for me, but before going I will sail the inflatable mini-catamaran which I have with me for a short while still. But firstly and before all that I will spend some intense time with my schoolwork.
Until next week!
Laura
WEEK 34
Column-Logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad
April 13 (?), 2011
Translation for Zeilmeisje Laura Dekker
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Each week in her column-logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad Laura Dekker will relate her journey around the world aboard her sailboat Guppy on her attempt to become the world's youngest circumnavigator.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
There is not a column by Laura this week.
This is a translation of the journalist Suzanne Docter article for the Algemeen Dagblad on that week.
"Zeilmeisje Laura goes through the Panama Canal"
PANAMA CITY - This week Laura went through the Panama Canal, the only leg on her journey when she can't do just by herself – nor anyone else. At the world famous Miraflores locks Laura was looking very surprised. Several dozens of Dutch nationals stood on the sides waving to her.
'Look Laura, can you see all the people on the watch-tower? They are all waiting for you'. This comment for the young sailor, who is steering her ship into the world famous Miraflores locks at this very moment, maybe would sound like a joke. But as Laura takes a second look indeed there are many fans, dressed in orange shirts and carrying the flag of The Netherlands. She laughs hilariously. 'Are they here for me... There must be another Dutch boat coming through?' she thinks as she waves towards the tower. No, the people are waving back to her.
One day back at anchorage off the city of Colón. Around 3 PM Laura is waiting for the pilot who will guide her trough the Panama Canal. Spending her time wisely she jumps into the water, snorkel and putty knife with her. Indeed Guppy is not going as fast as she could. Laura dives under her boat and cleans the propeller from algaes and snails. 'That makes a big difference in speed'.
A little later, pilot Francisco shakes the hand of the 15-year-old HAVO student [ school between junior high and high school] ("Soon I change to class five"), who is surprised to learn that she is Guppy's captain. He winks and then briefs her on the approach to the first lock and the ship heavy traffic. Unaffected by this Laura knows that this is a usual thing which all goes to show that she has grown during the nine months since her departure. But not height wise, she still can't top Madonna, not even on high heels, but as for personal development... She has shaken off the very last rest of her childishness and now demonstrate politely but plainly what she wants and how she wants it.
CROCODILE
Guppy has become the home for this petite and diminutive tanned blonde, the walls of her cabin decorated with pictures of friends, family and places. 'During the past year I have been getting used at living alone. It will feel strange tonight to have all that many people here with me', she says of the crew she has to be with because of the regulations. This crew is made of a Panamanian pilot, who will go back home in the evening and four line handlers that Laura can choose. Laura has asked friends to be 'cable operators'. 'Sailors help each other and I have recently been a line handler for another boat to get the hang of it'. Just a little time before she goes through the very first lock that will lift Guppy 27 metres up [81 feet] Laura greets an Australian captain. Laura's yacht and his will be tied together as they go into the lock at snail pace. Exchanges take place. 'Have you noticed that big crocodile on the shore', the Australian asks seriously, it just slipped into the water where it is now'. But Laura's attention is called somewhere else, not forgetting about those 'drifting logs', but to the strong cables that are being throwned at the yacht from the lock's sides. Not only do they have to be tied to eachside of the boat, they also have to be kept tight as the water level rises up inside the locks. Laura knows that sometimes the handling of the cables goes wrong. 'I don't really want to know how many fingers or toes lie at the bottom of the middle lock' she says.
PANCAKES
Heading for the locks Laura is guided to her temporary mooring on the large lake surrounded by tropical rainforest. It is just a buoy where she will spend the night. A little later her Australian friends and an American couple join in. Laura plays a little guitar and bakes pancakes for her guests. Beers and make believe stories are shared. Did Laura know that there once was a surfer who went through the Canal or that there had been a Japanese with no hands that circumnavigated the world? Laura then spends the rest of the night sleeping in a hammock under the starry sky at a neighbour’s catamaran. Around five in the morning a group of howler monkeys start screaming from the rain forest waking everyone up.
Laura has a new pilot onboard who urges her to hurry up. By noon she has to be at the Miraflores locks. So everyone realizes that the stay inside the Panama Canal lake is over. The evening ends with a barbecue when all line handlers bid farewell to Laura. In a few days she will be on the Pacific Ocean, heading for Australia. 'I don't find it too difficult to be on my own again, as a sailor one is bound to meet many other ones. You meet again and part in many unusual places. Little by little I am making my own family here at sea.
-------------------
WEEK 35
Column-Logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad
April 21, 2011
Translation for Zeilmeisje Laura Dekker
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Each week in her column-logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad Laura Dekker will relate her journey around the world aboard her sailboat Guppy on her attempt to become the world's youngest circumnavigator.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sailing with a school of 20 dolphins behind me
Yippee! I have started the big crossing of the Pacific Ocean. Earlier this week I was at anchor for two days off the Las Perlas but now I am heading for the Galápagos Islands. In two days of sailing I have seen more sea creatures than during the whole crossing of the Atlantic Ocean. I have seen a whale, a shark, many rays and today I was followed by a school of some twenty dolphins. Although I had already seen dolphins from time to time, I had not yet seen so many of them at the same time. I took many pictures of them. The Pacific Ocean is nice to sail because beside many other reasons, the swell here is much longer so the boat doesn't rock so much and it is getting warmer which is not unusual. In a few days I will cross the equator that is on my route in any case and on a solo circumnavigation it must be crossed at least once. The only unpleasant thing at this time is the lack of wind. It often disappears during the day and then comes back at night, so I had to run the engine on the first day which I didn't like. But yesterday things were much better so that in 24 hours I covered 140 nautical miles [259 kilometres or 161 land miles] which is a lot for one day. I don't know yet how it will be today. With a little luck I should be in the Galápagos Islands in 7 or 8 days at which time I want to go see one of the Sea Shepherds projects which is an organization that I support. It is committed to protecting life in the world's oceans, and it is now involved in a project to protect turtles that are about ten times older than me. I am curious.
Regards,
Laura
WEEK 36
Column-Logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad
April 28, 2011
Translation for Zeilmeisje Laura Dekker
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Each week in her column-logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad Laura Dekker will relate her journey around the world aboard her sailboat Guppy on her attempt to become the world's youngest circumnavigator.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A pancake with syrup for Neptune
Huh?! I just had a message on the VHF-radio from a neighbouring ship at the anchorage. It said that there were sharks swimming around Guppy...Very small ones but still it was nice to see! In any case it is a real zoo here anyway. There are seals lying everywhere or swimming or jumping around in the water, at the dock and ashore. I went for a walking tour of Santa Cruz Island which is where I am staying in the Galapagos. We went over to see the big turtles. Those animals are so lazy! It took one of them ten minutes just to stand up. There also was another one named Gordon that is at least one hundred years old. I met the people from the Sea Shepherd organization that have many nature projects here, one of which is to teach the children not to disturb the turtles and to be respectful of nature. The crossing from Panama was the nicest I experienced so far. I expected to have calm winds but things went much better than that. On my way here to the Galápagos, I crossed the Equator. Of course there is no sign in the middle of the ocean but you can point to it with the GPS system. It is a tradition with sailors to give something to Neptune at that point. So I had made a special pancake with 'To Neptune from Guppy' written on it with syrup. We, that is the people sailing in my neighboorhood through the crossing, cranked up the music and swinging all together we went over the magical line. And that was a nice way to complete another milestone to my journey.
Regards,
Laura
WEEK 37
Column-Logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad
May 05, 2011
Translation for Zeilmeisje Laura Dekker
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Each week in her column-logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad Laura Dekker will relate her journey around the world aboard her sailboat Guppy on her attempt to become the world's youngest circumnavigator.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I can go into shark infested water without fear
Something special happened to me... I am over with my phobia of sharks. Since I was eight years old I was extremely afraid of them. I was always a bit so-so about swimming in salt water and as soon as there was a little movement next to me I would just get out of the water. But now that I am in the Galápagos it is past history. There are so many sharks here, some of them much bigger than the ones that were swimming near by my boat last week. And so now I know that a diver can safely go into the water to watch them as they just swim below you... I will be staying here for a few more days...Anyway, I also have learned to surf and today I will go with a girlfriend to an island where there are real Galápagos penguins, and that mkes me curious. I am also making preparations for the crossing to the Marquesas Islands (French Polynesia). So with flippers on, diving goggles and armed with a scraper, I cleaned the underwater hull from algae and shells. This is not fun work but it has to be done once a month in the tropical waters because it all grows very quickly. This leg will take longer than it took to cross the Atlantic Ocean. But I have now experienced being alone for several weeks, with storm or rain, amd being rocked by high waves, with good winds and no winds... I know about it all. It was exactly one year ago that we launched Guppy and that I sailed the first few meters with her. It strikes my imagination when I think that she has now brought me 78,809 nautical miles away from home. So, until next week!
Regards,
Laura
WEEK 38
Column-Logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad
May 12, 2011
Translation for Zeilmeisje Laura Dekker
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Each week in her column-logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad Laura Dekker will relate her journey around the world aboard her sailboat Guppy on her attempt to become the world's youngest circumnavigator.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A lizard and two cockroaches
Great! I am far enough on my way now to finally be able sleep very well again. It was great to be in Santa Cruz, Galapagos but staying at the anchorage was uncomfortable because of the steady and high swell that pushed me from one side to the other of my bed. The only way I could get some sleep was to lie across and wedge my body between the walls. So here at sea I will be able to catch up on my lack of sleep even though I have to get up every one and a half hour to check on the course and make sure nothing else is wrong. Well, I am used to it and I go to bed at 8 PM so I get enough sleep in the night. I already sailed 650 nautical miles and there are still about 2330 nautical miles to go. I think it will take some two weeks of sailing this crossing form the Galápagos Islands to the Marquesas Islands in French-Polynesia will have been the longest of my entire journey and everything is going great so far. For now I have pretty strong winds and the sun is brightly shining. The days go by looking pretty much the same starting in the morning with radio contacts with other ships on the same crossing as me, then I spend my time reading, correcting the course and adjusting the sails, or throwing squids and flying fishes off the deck as they they keep jumping aboard...and eating bananas. A tall stalk was given to me back in Santa Cruz, Galápagos, with hiding in it two stowaways - two huge cockroaches that found themselves swimming in the sea in no time flat. As for the other squatter I feel a little more broadminded – it is a cute lizard that just popped up from nowhere. I don't think that the solo sailing rules mention anything about reptiles, so I don't mind it hitchhiking its way with me for the next thousand miles.
Regards from the Pacific Ocean,
Laura
WEEK 39
Column-Logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad
May 19, 2011
Translation for Zeilmeisje Laura Dekker
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Each week in her column-logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad Laura Dekker will relate her journey around the world aboard her sailboat Guppy on her attempt to become the world's youngest circumnavigator.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A wounded foot
I still don't really know exactly how it happened. I was standing at the cabin's entrance when I was suddenly hit by a big wave. I fell backwards and hurt the underside of my foot. But where? I have no idea but it is for certain that there now is a big wound in it. Maybe I should not go into too many details about it. Happily I didn't need to suture the wound and did a good job with dressing my foot and the dressing clips. The wound is heeling very well but I cannot stand on my foot yet but I can perfectly tiptoe around. Until now going across the Pacific Ocean is easier than it was for me to go across the Atlantic Ocean. Of course that is because it had been only my third big crossing ever – after sailing two times to England and back – and the weather was terrible. At the time we went through a strong storm half the way in, which I realized that it was just a few days later when I was told by a cargo ship that we had had force 9 winds. Right now the sun is brightly shining. Up until yesterday I had the very best winds blowing my way but they are now coming straight from astern so I am busy adjusting the sails all day to make sure they don't get all tangled up. Besides that, I don't have much time to do anything other than eating and sleeping. From time to time I manage to read 'Rosie', an exciting book about Rosie Swale who sailed around the world with her husband and her daughter...We are still going at a good speed and there are just 1130 nautical miles left to go to French-Polynesia where I should be in eight or nine more days. So I have plenty of time to think about what route I'll be talking later through the Gulf of Aden or around Africa... Maybe I'll know next week.
Regards,
Laura
WEEK 40
Column-Logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad
May 26, 2011
Translation for Zeilmeisje Laura Dekker
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Each week in her column-logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad Laura Dekker will relate her journey around the world aboard her sailboat Guppy on her attempt to become the world's youngest circumnavigator.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
An island for the gods
Yes! In 17 days and 22 hours I sailed just about 3000 nautical miles and I am close to land again. The Pacific Ocean crossing is the largest one I have done so far and I have achieved another record: I am the youngest solo sailor ever to do this. And it has been my very best crossing too. The distance from the Cape Verde Islands to Sint Maartin was just 2000 nautical miles and it also took 17 days. I still don't really understand how I managed to be so fast. Some of the sailing ships that departed a few days ahead of me have still not arrived yet. And my last days at sea I have had very bad rainy weather with squalls and strong winds and waves washing over. It is still raining continuously here in Hiva Oa bay in Atuona Island where I am at anchor now. Perhaps this has something to do with the mountains all around me with there peaks ending somewhere above the clouds. When it starts raining here it is a real downpour and the clouds stay for quite some time....It is very strange to see land again after two and a half weeks at sea... Hiva Oa looks beautiful. According to a local legend some gods created this island for themselves to live in. The French chansonnier Jaques Brel and painter Paul Gaugin are buried here. But I haven't been out to explore the island yet. Up to now all I did was to look around Guppy once to see how much work is waiting for me when I'll dive under her hull to remove the thick layer of algaes and snails. But first I will catch up on some sleep before I go and meet with people. I still have no idea how long I will stay here. A few days, or maybe a week. Anyway I can take it easy for now!
Regards,
Laura
WEEK 41
Column-Logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad
June 1st, 2011
Translation for Zeilmeisje Laura Dekker
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Each week in her column-logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad Laura Dekker will relate her journey around the world aboard her sailboat Guppy on her attempt to become the world's youngest circumnavigator.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Flower wreaths and bean necklaces
Today I changed the inside of my closets. I crammed all my winter clothes into a big plastic bag and stowed it in the boat's fore section. I won't need those for the coming months at the least. And it makes things easier in the morning not to have them in the way when looking inside the closet. And then I have been very busy with cleaning all around, doing something like a Guppy spring-cleaning - I even dived under her to remove all the marine growth and snails on her hull. So now she is squeekly clean again. I spent a great week here in Hiva 'Oa (French-Polynesia). The people are very friendly and very happy all the time. If you happen to be walking along the road to Atuona village, you will be given a lift in a blink. Recently with a friend sailor we were looking an for internet-access when someone spontaneously offered his office to us. He left us there alone with all the keys and went away. If we had wanted to we could have borrowed his car too, no problem at all. Meeting such trustful people is not likely to happen soon in the Netherlands. Also it was really funny to be invited to a party as a guest of honour, complete with dancers and drummers in their traditional outfit, where I have been given bean necklaces and flower wreaths. Later I gave the flower wreaths to newly arrived sailors as a kind of talisman to wear. At sea I won't have too much use for the flowers since I am sailing out to Tahiti tomorrow. I just have to finish studying the sea charts and figuring out the route, and then I am ready to leave. The distance is 700 nautical miles so I expect to be on the Route for about six days. If all goes well, I should be writing my next column from ashore again.
Parahi - see you!
Love, Laura.
WEEK 42
Column-Logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad
June 09, 2011
Translation for Zeilmeisje Laura Dekker
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Each week in her column-logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad Laura Dekker will relate her journey around the world aboard her sailboat Guppy on her attempt to become the world's youngest circumnavigator.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A difficult passage between the reefs
I think I can be be very proud of myself for I sailed by night through the reefs that encircle Tahiti and in the darkness I could not see much. So when I woke up the morning after I thought 'Wow, did you really sail between those?' This crossing from Hiva Oa was one of the most difficult ones so far. There are many reefs in this area, and each year hundreds of sailing boats sink here. You need to think ahead continuously, to know exactly where you are, and obviously to keep at a safe distance from the reefs. Also there might be squalls that can make the boat drift off its course. On the plus side, the reefs make a protective circle around Tahiti so that the waves just break on them making for a very calm and windless anchorage for your boat. I am at anchor off the Tahitian capital, the city of Papeete. Tahiti with its 170 000 inhabitants is very big, clean and very modern. Being among so many people, stores, McDonalds - which is actually not that bad - takes getting used to again. Except for the constant coming and going Tahiti is just great: very green with many high mountains and very kind people... and the water is so clear that I can see my anchor 10 meters below. Many yachts are at the same anchor as Guppy, some I already know and some others with new people I have just met. There is this one sailor who has been here for several months who is working to earn enough money to repair his boat. He took some of us to a vast valley with a waterfall in a car holding together with tape and that had to be started by joining two wires. Unfortunately I won't be staying in Tahiti much longer, I have to sail on.
So until next week, but I am not sure where from yet...
Love, Laura
WEEK 43
Column-Logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad
June 16, 2011
Translation for Zeilmeisje Laura Dekker
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Each week in her column-logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad Laura Dekker will relate her journey around the world aboard her sailboat Guppy on her attempt to become the world's youngest circumnavigator.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The rays just ate from my hand
I am a little bit tired today. Yesterday I spent an enjoyable evening aboard a neighboring boat and it was so nice that I stayed up late. I have been at anchor in Moorea Bay (Tahitian for yellow lizard) for two days now. It is only a few hours of sailing from Tahiti but it is quite a different place. Moorea is about the size of Texel island [in the Dutch Wadden Sea], but it is mountainous being volcanic of origin. There is only one road going around the island so there are not street names, and there are only 16,000 people or so living here. There is a beautiful resort with cottages built on stilts over the sea but it would seem that not many tourists know about it even though they could spend a wonderful time here. Yesterday I went to a place where stingrays and black tip reef sharks gather. They just swim around you and I hand fed the rays, some 1.5 meters long, but I stayed away from the sharks. After that I went to visit a gigantic yacht that is anchored. It has a whirlpool on the stern deck, but more importantly to me, they also have a sailmaker’s sewing machine and so I could make repairs to my mainsail. It now looks fine again and it can be fitted back on Guppy. I have no idea how long I will stay here or even what I'm going to do today yet. I'll just see what shows up, but for sure I will go for a dive here. It is said that Moorea is one of the most beautiful diving places in the world with its crystal clear waters. At first sailing the transparent waters was scary to me even with my depth gauge because it felt like the sea bottom was too close which almost gave me a heart attack at times. But there also is a good side to having clear waters like that...it is easy to see if something with lots of teeth is swimming after you, hahaha...
Sincerely, Laura
WEEK 44
Column-Logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad
June 23, 2011
Translation for Zeilmeisje Laura Dekker
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Each week in her column-logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad Laura Dekker will relate her journey around the world aboard her sailboat Guppy on her attempt to become the world's youngest circumnavigator.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tropical aquarium
With so many kinds of corals around and all the tropical fishes swimming under the bow I really have the impression that Guppy and I are floating in some sort of tropical aquarium. I am now in Bora Bora and my arrival was quite something. Still at sea I spotted an anchorage with a big yacht near to it so I thought that it would be deep enough for Guppy. But as I carefully navigated the coral reefs I came about a huge brain coral and bumped into it! And again at the second try. So I gave up and I went to another mooring further away, a floating one. This a bit scary because you never know how long it has been there and if it has been maintained properly so there is always the possibility that you might drift away along with the mooring. Luckily this did not happen. So I dived under Guppy to check on her hull and clearly she was undamaged. Bora Bora is really great and it is easy to understand why so many people come over here for their honeymoon. It is really a beautiful green tropical island with clean white beaches and fantastic diving spots. I have been cycling around the island and gone hiking with an American couple. We made a long trip through the mountains on top of which we could see Bora Bora and all the surrounding islands too. Just wonderful! Also I went sailing with my MiniCat, cleaned-up Guppy, and today I will go snorkelling with a local couple. So I am busy-busy all the time. I will be staying here until the weekend, and then I will head for the island of Niue which is one of the largest coral atolls in the world. This will be a 1100 nautical miles leg for eight days of sailing. There I will have almost reached the halfway point of my journey. Great!
Regards, Laura
WEEK 45
Column-Logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad
June 30, 2011
Translation for Zeilmeisje Laura Dekker
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Each week in her column-logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad Laura Dekker will relate her journey around the world aboard her sailboat Guppy on her attempt to become the world's youngest circumnavigator.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
No winds and out of it
I have had it! I am sick... I must have catched the flu back in Bora Bora. I spent yesterday on the couch just totally out of it with a hammering headache and a sore throat. Usually when there is no wind it is bad news for a sailor but this time I liked it. No swell is very much better for my aching head. I am feeling somewhat better today but I am still far from my top condition. Because of the sore throat I cannot eat not even a single bite and I my voice sounds like that of a frog, and I am sure that I will get a cough when the stuff in my nose comes loose. Oh well, the worst days are already behind me, I hope. I slept better last night. So, being sick aside, this leg is going great even though there is no one else around, not even a flying fish. Twice a day via short wave radio I talk with other boats that are either far ahead or far behind me. I like being alone and I am enjoying the long-distance crossings more each time. I will be at sea for at least eight more days even though I am still I still not sure where I will end up exactly... At first, I had planned to go to Niue which is still 700 nautical miles away but now I am seriously thinking about sailing to Tonga which is another 200 nautical miles further but is exactly the halfway point of my journey and that would be a fantastical milestone to reach. But then what with no winds now, do I really want to go the extra distance by running the engine? I have enough of diesel-fuel so that is not the point, it is that it would be more fun to arrive under sails...after all it is a solo sailing journey I am on... Maybe I am worrying too much. But just as I was finishing writing these lines, some wind came up for first time on this crossing and I am now going under sails again. Let's hope and beg it stays that way...
Sincerely, Laura
WEEK 46
Column-Logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad
July 05, 2011
Translation for Zeilmeisje Laura Dekker
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Each week in her column-logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad Laura Dekker will relate her journey around the world aboard her sailboat Guppy on her attempt to become the world's youngest circumnavigator.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Halfway around the world!
Today I has been exactly eleven month and one day that I am on my journey around the world. And also I am feeling completely myself again since I haven't felt sick for three days now. On the first day of my crossing towards Tonga there was just a little wind blowing but then the wind became too strong and blew me in the wrong direction. So I have been busy adjusting the sails and correcting course all day. But now the wind is exactly like I want it, so I can have some rest. This morning I could sit in the cockpit without having to drink salt water all the time and Guppy is going super fast. Via the SSB radio I kept in touch with another boat that was sailing 200 nautical miles ahead of me but now is only 20 nautical miles away. It looks like we will arrive in Tonga at the same time on Thursday I guess. And that means... that I will be exactly at the halfway point of my journey! I should stay there for about
a week and then I will be heading for the Fiji Islands. At that point I will have had circumnavigated the whole world… Well, not exactly all on my own. I went from the Fiji islands to the Netherlands with my parents when I was very young as they were on a four years sailing journey. Of course I am doing it a little faster this time and with a bit of luck I will have circumnavigated the globe by July of next year. I still do not really realize that I have gotten this far already - I am more inclined at looking ahead instead of behind. It feels very odd to look back and remeber abour all the lawsuits of one year ago… Eleven months and one day ago, I did not have a glimmer of hope that I would be at liberty to start on my voyage nor did I have any idea that I would be sailing here, somewhere in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, right now. But here I am and this is something I am really proud of.
Until next week!
Regards, Laura
WEEK 47
Column-Logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad
July ??, 2011
Translation for Zeilmeisje Laura Dekker
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Each week in her column-logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad Laura Dekker will relate her journey around the world aboard her sailboat Guppy on her attempt to become the world's youngest circumnavigator.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiji
I have sailed out of Tonga where I stayed for five days, and it was incredibly beautiful with its many small and green islands. I would have liked to spend more time there but I am also trying for a record, so... So I am now on my way to the Fiji Islands which are about four sailing days away. The crossing itself should go well since the weather forecast is good, calling for sunny days and enough winds. It is a pity my SSB radio broke down some days ago. I tried everything but I could not make it utter a sound anymore. With the SSB I could talk to other sailors which may be very useful in case of problems, but also it is was a nice way for me to keep a social life as I am sailing alone. Chatting with other yacht crew had become part of my morning routine. Now I have to be satisfied with the sounds of the wind and the waves. It is not much likely that other boats will come into my VHF radio range as I go on my journey. But then an American company spontaneously offered to send me a brand new SSB radio to Fiji which in itself would be a good enough reason to sail a little bit faster, although I am also curious about Fiji itself. I have been here before for a month with my parents when I was one year old and I still have some photos. On one of the photos I am standing on the deck of the 'Diario', my parents boat, wearing a thick diaper and turning the winch's crank. In another photo I am sitting in a baby carrier on my father's back as we went by horse across the mountains for several days. On another one I am bobbing up and down in a dinghy. According to my parents I could swim before I could walk if you can call paddling like a dog swimming. Actually I don't remember anything from that time but still being back here is something special to me. Maybe some déjà vu feelings will come up, who knows?
Until next week,
Laura
WEEK 48
Column-Logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad
July 21, 2011
Translation for Zeilmeisje Laura Dekker
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Each week in her column-logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad Laura Dekker will relate her journey around the world aboard her sailboat Guppy on her attempt to become the world's youngest circumnavigator.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In Fiji
There are more photos of me in Fiji than I thought. There is one of my mother with her long hair pushing me in a baby wheel-carriage around a market in Suva, the Fiji Island's capital. I went for a short visit to that very same market and I even spotted where the photo had been taken - I am going to take a picture of myself at the very same place. It is a bit strange to be back after fourteen years. I would really like to go sailing to Whangharei, the town where I was born in New Zealand. Sadly I don't have time to do so but on my next world trip I will for sure. And it is the same for all those beautiful places I had to leave much too soon. Fiji sure is beautiful. I arrived here Sunday in the evening and that made it complicated, not just because it was night and I had to go around the reefs but also because you can't leave your boat before the customs and immigration representatives have come aboard for their inspection. In my case I had to wait for a whole day. As I was finished with the clearance procedure the Sogno d'Oro came chugging in to anchorage – that is Henk Oosterwijk's sailboat, the solo sailor I came to know via SSB radio when I was still off the coast of Tonga. We departed from Tonga at the same time but Guppy is a longer boat which means that she is faster than Henk's Midget sailboat. I had promessed Henk that I would treat him to some pancakes on his arrival. But the customs officers decided it was too late to start the clearance procedure for him so I was not allowed to go aboard Sogno d'Oro. Still I went anyway and brought pancakes over to him - I know too well that you don't feel like cooking after a crossing. I don't plan to stay in Fiji too long but I will take the time to visit around a little. I am also invited on a diving tour for a few days aboard a square-rigged sailing ship that is anchored nearby. Until next week - most likely from the Pacific Ocean again.
Regards,
Laura
WEEK 49
Column-Logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad
July 28, 2011
Translation for Zeilmeisje Laura Dekker
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Each week in her column-logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad Laura Dekker will relate her journey around the world aboard her sailboat Guppy on her attempt to become the world's youngest circumnavigator.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine Guppy
I have been back at sea for two days heading for Vanuatu, a group of islands that is part of France. I still have 300 nm to go, and I hope to be there on Saturday. It has been a while since I have had such strong winds and so I am going very fast. With a little bit of luck I should arrive in the daytime which I would appreciate after my nighttime arrivals in Tonga and Fiji. Not that I would have to sail between many reefs again but it would be nice to be able to see something and clear customs to step ashore right upon arrival. In all I stayed one week in Fiji and it was funny to be back where I spent my very early childhood. I also was aboard the three masted schooner 'Alvei' for three days. It was a scuba diving trip off a small island but once there as I went under water I found that diving was giving me earaches. So I went snorkelling instead. From this island I was to go back Fiji's main island on a small local boat as the 'Alvei' sailed further away with the tourists. But the boat I expected to board was not sailing on that day, so I was stranded. But as I spent half a day walking around and sightseeing – why not take that time for a little excursion - I spotted a fishing boat that was to cast off soon. I ran over to it as fast as I could, and, yes, they would take me with them. I felt very happy to be back aboard Guppy later on that same evening. I sailed out on the following day and now for the first time since my departure I am sitting outside in the cockpit enjoying the rising sun. Right now the strong winds make for high waves, and Guppy looks more like a submarine than a sailboat as she is rocking heavily up and down so reading outside is not possible, but then just watching the rough seas is always nice.
Regards,
Laura
WEEK 50
Column-Logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad
August 04, 2011
Translation for Zeilmeisje Laura Dekker
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Each week in her column-logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad Laura Dekker will relate her journey around the world aboard her sailboat Guppy on her attempt to become the world's youngest circumnavigator.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I am not missing The Netherlands
Exactly one year ago I l was leaving the Netherlands but it seems to me that I have been on my journey for much longer. I am used to life at sea and sailing from one island to the other and I didn't miss The Netherlands not even for a single day – and especially not Jeugdzorg Bureau or the Council for Childprotection- not even as I went through cold and rainy squalls. Still it would be great if I could 'beam myself' over to see my sister, my dog Spot, my parents and my friends again. This week I arrived in Vanuatu. The day before yesterday I was at a beach party where I listened to someone playing a 12 strings guitar. It sounded so beautiful that it made me want one too. On the following day I spotted one in a small store but sadly it was very expensive. I could have spared myself the sales tax if I had done the paper work but the people at the customs office were unwilling to give me a clearing rubber stamp before I would sail away. The shop owner too would not help and just wanted to sell the guitar to me at the full price and then give me back later the difference for the taxes. As I was leaving the shop deeply disappointed, he changed his mind and decided to give me a good discount on the original price. They had found it very funny that I would come back to the store often, showing that I really would like to have this guitar. Since I have been playing it many times which isn't really not more difficult than playing an ordianry guitar, but the sound it makes is so very nice since you get to hear all the tones twice. When I am not playing guitar, I keep busy making Guppy ready for the sea. I only have to refuel the diesel and the fresh water tanks left to do. I am planning on sailing off early next week heading for Darwin. This crossing should take me about three weeks and I have no doubt that I will be there before my birthday.
Regards,
Laura
WEEK 51
Column-Logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad
August 11, 2011
Translation for Zeilmeisje Laura Dekker
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Each week in her column-logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad Laura Dekker will relate her journey around the world aboard her sailboat Guppy on her attempt to become the world's youngest circumnavigator.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wind will come ... sometime
I am slowly going crazy. There is almost no wind blowing. So I am sailing, then running the engine, just sailing again and then running the engine some more, all the while keeping ajusting the Genoa, the spinnaker and the mainsail mainly. I now have a 3 knots wind that is barely enough to run under sails. If I had too I could run on the engine for 1000 nautical miles but then Guppy is not a motor boat and the distance I have to cover is twice that much... OK, breathing deeply... I'll just have to take it as it comes! For sure there will be good winds sometime before the 12th of never. Besides there is a good side to this too. The windvane that usually is my automatic pilot doesn't work well without enough wind so when that happens I have to regularly correct course manually - but with the engine running I can engage the electric autopilot and then boating is a very easy affair with not much else to do than to check on my course from time to time. And then calm winds also means low swell so I can lie in my bed at night without having to brace myself against the side walls to not fall out. This also means that in the daytime I am not rocked back and forth so it is easier to play the guitar be it my old familiar guitar or my new 12-stringed one. I also do other little jobs onboard, like today I lubricated the rudder to prevent it from becoming jammed. In the evening I spend the time watching one or more episodes of 'How I met your mother'. And so the days just fly by and I forget that I am in the middle of the ocean. Except for a flying fish and two seagulls that pooped all over my boat – thanks guys - I have not seen any living creature for days.
Until next week!
Regards,
Laura
WEEK 52
Column-Logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad
August 18, 2011
Translation for Zeilmeisje Laura Dekker
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Each week in her column-logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad Laura Dekker will relate her journey around the world aboard her sailboat Guppy on her attempt to become the world's youngest circumnavigator.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Flying fishes
From the corner of my eye I can see another coming...a flying fish that finds it is his call to jump on my deck. Some sailors eat them with a little lemon juice and they say they like it, well... Not me!...They don't look comestible to me. Also the ones I get are so small that all you'd get is a bite at fish bones. Within 20 hours I will reach the first of the Torres Strait reefs. The Torres Strait is a sea gate between Australia and Papua-New-Guinea that joins the Indian Ocean the the Pacific Ocean. In fact it is the end of the Great Barrier Reef. Of course the problem with reefs is that you cannot see them so you might go running into them. So I'll have to be very watchfull and won't have much sleep for a couple of days. Also the Torres Straight is a highly frequented shipping lane and I will have to watch for that too. After the passage it is 650 nautical miles to Darwin. This leg is going faster than I had expected since I was begging for wind that did not come. That was driving me crazy but luckily in the end some winds came. Now Guppy is flying ahead and I almost caught up with a boat that had left Vanuatu a few days before me. I have to face cross seas with high waves coming from all directions, rocking Guppy from all sides. There is nthing I can do but keep sailing and drink salt water. Yesterday danger came in the from of a big twister. The sky became dark with angry looking rain clouds that finally passed by me. Too bad, I was somehow looking forward to a fresh water shower after two weeks at sea...
Until next week,
Laura
WEEK 53
Column-Logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad
August 24, 2011
Translation for Zeilmeisje Laura Dekker
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Each week in her column-logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad Laura Dekker will relate her journey around the world aboard her sailboat Guppy on her attempt to become the world's youngest circumnavigator.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Land!
Hooray! I passed through the Torres Strait. This leg has been very tough at times weith heavy squalls and high waves that made me dizzy. The last part through the Van Dieman Gulf up to Darwin was stressful too. It was like sailing the Waden Sea, but bigger with sandbanks and strong currents and a 7 meter tidal range and so I had to sail close hauled all the time in sometime very shallow water that makes for sharp and choppy waves that come splashing over. But I made it! – not without minor damages though. I am afraid Guppy will need an entire set of new sails. Both the Genoa and the mainsail are ripped and the storm jib and the mizzen won't last very much longer. The strong tropical sun and the big waves were more than they could take. The steering wheel almost falls off now so I am steering with the emergency tiller now. Many other small things need repais too but overall everything is fine and there are only a few miles left before I am ashore. And so I have to steer with the emergency tiller. I could name many more little things but all in all everything goes well - really. There are only a few miles left to go and then I will be ashore again. Anairplane from the Australian Customs flew over us a few times and it made for a funny situation. The alarm on my radar system went off telling me that I was probably on a collision course with another boat, but as I looked around I could not see one and then...'Sailing ketch, sailing ketch' came a voice over my VHF radio, and that is when I realized that it was the airplane causing this and that it was me they were calling. They asked me many questions and wanted lots of information about me. It would seem that coming in unseen to Australia is quite impossible. I hope that the Customs people on shore will be nice to me too. I have been told stories by sailors about how for one they turned his boat upside down, for another they took canned meat from his provisions and for yet another one they sealed all of his food telling him not to touch them until after his departure... Keep your fingers crossed! Anyway, I'll enjoy a good sleep soon after very little sleep for the past two days.
Good night,
Laura
WEEK 54
Column-Logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad
September 1st, 2011
Translation for Zeilmeisje Laura Dekker
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Each week in her column-logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad Laura Dekker will relate her journey around the world aboard her sailboat Guppy on her attempt to become the world's youngest circumnavigator.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Smart crocodiles and deadly jellyfishes
Finally I am 'Down Yonder' anchored in Fannie Bay, Darwin. From the beach you would have to look carefully to be able to see Guppy. I am berthe far from shore in between and behind many dozens of boats. This is because Guppy has a draft of 1,90 meters to which I add another 10 cm for all the things I have onboard. The tidal range here is huge which creates a low tide beach several dozens meters wide. When I go ashore at low tide I have to carry my dinghy far up the beach or I would have to swim back to it once the tide is up which would be a bad idea as the signs posted everywhere say. On them is written a warning about deadly jellyfishes and although accidents are very rare I won't try swimming – the same signs warn about sea crocodiles too. I was told by other sailors that they are very smart. For example they can remember where you jumped in the water and when during the day – usually they wait at the boat stern because that is where most sailors go into the water. But thereare also much nicer creatures in the sea, like the school of dolphins that came swimming by twice as I was listening to music this afternoon. They played between themselves and jumped out the water – it had been a while since I had seen dolphins. That was back in Tahiti when I was also at anchor in a bay. The other time was when I was on my way to the Galapagos. I really like it here which is a good thing since I am staying for a good little while. My father will also be here in a week and he will stay over until it is my birthday. It has been a long time since I have seen him last. It will be nice for sure to see him again but I will have to get used to him being around all the time... I'll just have to get used to it...
Regards,
Laura
WEEK 55
Column-Logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad
September 08, 2011
Translation for Zeilmeisje Laura Dekker
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Each week in her column-logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad Laura Dekker will relate her journey around the world aboard her sailboat Guppy on her attempt to become the world's youngest circumnavigator.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Guppy has to be lifted out of the water
David, the French owner of the Yachtclub in Darwin is looking worryingly at me. He came over to Guppy with me to have a closer look at her rudder. Now it is totally stuck. It will move a little only if I push on it with my full body weight- oiling it has only little effect. So, the steering wheel is going to pieces, the Yanmar exhaust is broken, and the anti-fouling paint that protects Guppy's hull from marine growth has to be redone and both my engines need a good overhaul.. and another thousand little jobs need to be done too. Preventing these weathering damages is next to not possible. The sea, the salt and the sun take their toll, especially on a long sailing like I do. To do some of those repairs it would have to take Guppy out of the water for a few days. Two shipyards here are asking for the same price to do this which would put a dent in my budget. But luckily my father is here and there is nothing his hands can't do! Myself I am not too handy even though my technical skills have improved a lot since the start of my trip. Once Guppy is lifted out of the water we will still be sleeping aboard her which is fine with me so that I won't have to leave my home for a night. Still it will be different sleeping ashore, it will be warmer and obviously we can't use the wc. In short, we have a load of work coming in the coming weeks but if all goes well I should be able to safely set sail before the next storm season. It would be nice too if we have some time off the repairs for I have not seen my father for a very long time so we could have time to catch up on everything.
Until next week,
Laura
WEEK 55 - Bonus!
Column-Logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad
September 08, 2011
Translation for Zeilmeisje Laura Dekker
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Each week in her column-logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad Laura Dekker will relate her journey around the world aboard her sailboat Guppy on her attempt to become the world's youngest circumnavigator.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Algemen Daagblad interview
Saturday, September 10, 2011
[Front page: Zeilmeisje is at the half way point. Laura Dekker feels reborn ]
Page 8: Interview with Suzanne Docter
------------------------------------------------
Home felt like a prison with open doors
DARWIN - Sailor Laura Dekker is almost 16 and at the halfway point of her attempt to sail solo around the world as the youngest ever. In Darwin she talks about becoming a grown up, about feeling estranged from the Netherlands and about her parents. "There is nothing left between the Netherlands and me. I cannot connect with what I need there. However, I still do not know what I want exactly. I still have the world to discover for myself."
Winter in Darwin is a succession of warm and windless days. Laura, deeply sun-tanned with scars on her legs – witness to some of her days at sea - enjoys the azure-blue sea where her boat now lies bobbing up and down.
Suddenly she is attentively listening to her surroundings! "Shhh...I can hear them breathing". A few seconds later Laura is jumping up and down. "Look dolphins!" She points to a school of six just going by Guppy. "It has been a long time since I have seen dolphins"
Her last crossing was tough one and it would seem that her next leg to the Cocos Keeling Islands will be a hard one too. But now Laura the sailor has several weeks of work to do on her boat but also has to celebrate her coming birthday and take a little time off. She is somewhat at a loss with the meaning of time. Her father is helping her to keep in touch by reminding her that she is on a one year journey, with time past and time still to come.
You are at the halfway point of your voyage, and there are another nine months ahead of you. Was it your intention at anytime to sail non stop? [Sentence not clear]
"But then I would have missed lots of beautiful places and that would not have been realisticaly possible. As you can see Guppy is now in need of repairs: her steering wheel is out, her sails are torn and her rudder is jammed. And there are another thousands of other reasons she has to be taken out of the water. But this is not too worrying. Actually on a circumnavigation every boat is almost a wreck because of the wear and tear from the wind, the sun and the sea. But happily my father, who can do everything with his hands is with me right now...So I hope to be able to sail out again after my birthday."
Do you have to leave?
"The rain season will start soon but also after a while I get the jitterbugs even though I liked all the beautiful Islands and places and the big cities like Darwin here with the palm trees, white sandy beaches and kind people. I haven't had too much contact with my peers over all because they have a different life than mine so they have no clue about my trip or why I had to buy a boat and leave my parents. But here In Darwin I made friends with other kids who share my interest in sailing."
Are you living their dream?
"At first they would wish to trade their life with mine. After all I am doing what they would like to do, stuff like getting away from their parents and doing what they want all day and supposedly having parties all the time. But then they soon realize that it is very much different in reality amd that sailing is very hard work and even when ashore there is still plenty of work to do. So all in all they might not really want to trade places. But they find it is cool that I am doing it and that I am allowed to do it."
What other reason do you have for doing what you do?
"I spent years preparing my trip. I was driven by a call for adventure and I wanted to open my horizon on things... Sailing can be quite a bore at times. Departing is a nice moment but then by the second day I sometime find myself thinking ' what the ... am I doing here?' The wind usually blows from the wrong direction, the sails have to be adjusted all the time and there is the swell making you go up and down, up and down.. Still after going through all that... and finally getting here means a lot. Coming in is always nice, even in a storm or in rain because then you feel the 'kick' of having sailed thousands of miles on your own. It is exciting to know I did a long crossing and pushed my limits. But it doesn't mean I would go for dangererous stuff just for an adrenaline rush."
Could it also be about a desire to be independent and on your own?
“Yes, Guppy is my home and I enjoy living alone. I was brought up to be very independent, but to me 'home' felt somewhat like a prison inviting me to get away. There was always someone there looking over my shoulder so being on my own feels great. At times when my parents or friends came by for a while, it made me a little quizzy. But It is nice to see them now and there is Skype and e-mails to keep in touch and be close to each other."
Why?
"When I have someone visit me my rythm changes and it is not easy to get back into my own beat again afterwards. But also they all come in at the same time and I have to find a place for each and everyone one which is... Also they all want my attention... and they are not used to a life aboard a sailboat so..."
Now your father is here with you...
"I find it is really difficult with my father around... We have to do all the work on Guppy and so there is not much time for talk... And he is a perfectionist which drives me crazy. When I make repairs I usually do it on a temporary basis and he does not go for that. We talk stuff over for hours and in the end he often says that I am not listening to him. That could be why the further I am from the Netherlands the more I feel estranged but in some way this is good since I have to find my own way of doing things... Dad does his best to let me do as I think but still it is a difficult situation for me... But of course when he leaves I miss him."
Do you have down moments at times?
"During my crossing of the Atlantic Ocean I went through a heavy storm. Bad times like that have you cry and realize how far you are away from land.
The crossing to Tonga was rough too. I was sick for the first week and calm winds meant I hardly made progress. And then the winds came blowing from the wrong direction and the swell was seven meters high... I became sea sick. The next day I was alright again.. and never panicked.”
Have you ever wanted to quit?
“Of course I did! But this feeling vanished as soon as it came. But at the start of my journey it was there, that feeling. Some time before I came to Darwin, as I was sailing very close to New Zealand I thought of stopping and just stay there...because I always wanted to visit where I was born, Wangharei that is. But then because the Kinderbescherming delayed my voyage, I figured I didn't have the time to do so... It made me somewhat angry. But pleasant memories of talks and the like came back to me and writing and talking about it helped a lot...I still can visit New Zealand some time later.”
So you are not about to quit your trip?
“I would never let Guppy down. I do not care if my trip ends in the history books. I just want to do this for myself and I couldn't forgive myself for not trying.”
Is sailing difficult most of the time?
“The crossing to the Galápagos Islands was fantastic. I had good winds and very nice weather...And a beautiful sunset in the evening makes you feel so really happy. Sailing is like a love-hate relationship.. I love the sea but also I fear its power... it can engulf me all of a sudden.”
Has your voyage changed you?
“I changed completely. Now I know exactly what I can do and what my limits are but also I am more flexible. When I started on my journey I did not know my boat so well, with a 5 Beaufort wind I was still wondering if I had to reef my mainsail or not, but now I could almost sail blindfolded.
When people were asking if I could make it I replied ‘yes, of course‘ but I was asking the same question to myself too. At the time the Cape Verde Islands seemed very far from home, and now I am here so I know for sure that yes, I can make it all the way."
Were your expectations exceeded?
“Yes, however, the trip did not go as I intended. I did not want publicity and, of course, things broke from time to time. Still it could not be any better and it is all going better than I expected.”
You keep grumbling about the publicity... is it that bad all the time?
“It has some advantage too. Financially it does makes me more independent as some people follow my journey and give me money, just like the Dutch man who was here coming from Melbourne, some 4000 kilometres from here, to give me 100 Dollars.
But then publicity has its down side too. It feels nice when the people I meet on an island somewhere spontaneously [sentence incomplete]
...do something just because of me. Also everywhere people go ’Laura, Laura, can I this and that for you...?’
Sometimes it just is too much for me like when I was surrounded with cameras back in Panama after 38 hours without sleep...and those people didn’t even know my name.”
In Australia the focus on your trip seems better... Will there be an invitation to meet with your Australian counterpart Jessica Watson?
“I know Jessica was in Darwin to give a speech but sadly I was not yet here. I haven't heard about her since. For sure talking about our experiences would have been nice. Her trip was completely different from mine and at the time I was already busy with my preparations and she wasn't rightly famous then.
I had a good feedback from Abby Sunderland, who was out to circumnavigate the earth like her brother Zac... but then she had to stop. She wished me good luck and found it great that I passed the Torres Strait safe [sentence incomplete]
Change of subject. You have uttered something about your schoolwork...
“After working seriously for many months I had to leave my schoolwork behind. At sea I cannot work seriously and my stops are too short to get back at it. Now I have to focus on my voyage but after I want to continue on to get my HAVO 5.” [last highschool year diploma]
How do you plan to do this?
“I expect to have completed my journey sometime next spring. Then I'll be back in the Netherlands to attend school in Den Osse and can help my father finishing work on his boat ... Maybe I'll go to New Zealand when..."
Is this a farewell to the Netherlands?
“I have no connection to the Netherlands any longer... Not only because of all the bad experiences I had to endure [in 2009]. When I was back at the HISWA last March I did not feel like I was home anymore. Dutch is a different culture and a different way of life... I cannot find what I need there...But I don’t really know what... [sentence incomplete]
----------------
WEEK 56
Column-Logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad
September 14, 2011
Translation for Zeilmeisje Laura Dekker
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Each week in her column-logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad Laura Dekker will relate her journey around the world aboard her sailboat Guppy on her attempt to become the world's youngest circumnavigator.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Buy a boat and work your heart out
It made me anxious thinking of lifting Guppy out of the water. Using a crane would have meant a serious hole in my budget, but I found a much cheaper solution. Early in the morning we simply beached her and tied her to two posts. At high tide we moved her closer to the beach and grounded her. Then we worked very hard to remove all the marine growth from Guppy's underwater hull. In the tropical waters marine growth proliferates very fast, and the antifouling paint that protected her hull became ineffective with time and then I would have had to keep scraping forever... And so we applied a brand new antifouling coat. We finished our work in the middle of the night and we had to wait for the high tide to be back before we could move her to ther anchorage again – so we slept aboard Guppy as she stood aground. That was really odd. I am used to be lulled to sleep by her soft rocking movements but this time nothing was moving. Now Guppy is happilly lying at anchor between all the other yachts and my father and I are very busy with plenty of other little jobs to do aboard. The steering wheel that had too much play is now in perfect working condition and we repaired the exhaust of the auxiliary engine, too. We are now busy with a major overhaul of both the engines. I also cleaned the inside of my boat, I made the purchases to fill my empty pantry for the next long crossing, I refilled the diesel tank and my old sails are back from the sailmaker. And we still have a mountain of work to do. Seriously: buy a boat and work your heart out. Keep your fingers crossed that all works out fine before I sail off ...
Regards,
Laura
WEEK 57
Column-Logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad
September 22, 2011
Translation for Zeilmeisje Laura Dekker
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Each week in her column-logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad Laura Dekker will relate her journey around the world aboard her sailboat Guppy on her attempt to become the world's youngest circumnavigator.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The sea is calling louder with each passing hour
It was a lot of work to get them up but in the end it was a very nice sight: Guppy covered with balloons. Actually, I had not planned to celebrate my sixteenth birthday because to me my birthday is just like any other day of the year. But then in the end it became a really special day for me. I already had received some gifts so I did not expect more but then I was surprised with flowers, a huge cake and a balloon in the shape of a pirate ship. With my father and some friends we went out for dinner in the evening, after which we went to the beach to light up some sparklers. All day I received phone calls by singing people like my sister and my grandparents did. Even my dog Spot barked to me on the phone. It is weird to be sixteen all of a sudden. Here in Darwin I could now take driving lessons to get my license. It seems that it goes quickly here since the cars only have automatic transmissions. But I won't have enough time for that since I plan to depart within a few days. We did all the maintenance work that had to be done on Guppy, and so I am now busy with the usual preparations for the coming leg, buying diesel, water and food provisions. This crossing will take me to my next destination that I am keeping a secret for now for safety reasons. So it is only a question of choosing the right day for my departure. It all depends on the winds and I don't feel like bobbing up and down on the ocean with no wind, being unable to go under sails. So I have to be patient. The last weeks spent ashore and the visit from my father have been just fantastic. But the sea is calling, louder with each passing hour. Coming!
Regards,
Laura
WEEK 58
Column-Logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad
September 28, 2011
Translation for Zeilmeisje Laura Dekker
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Each week in her column-logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad Laura Dekker will relate her journey around the world aboard her sailboat Guppy on her attempt to become the world's youngest circumnavigator.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Near East Timor]
Sometimes it can be quite boring at sea
Arghh... I am bored. Sometimes even sailing around the world alone gets to be a dull thing. Three days ago I sailed out from Darwin with some wind blowing but it came from the wrong direction so it wasn't very helpful. And now there is no wind at all. If I hadn't started the engine I most probably would have slowly drifted back to Australia. There hasn't been anything much to see around in the last few days but for the odd cargo ships or sailing boats... and nothing else! The reception on the SSB radio I use to talk to other sailors is crackling like crazy so it is impossible to chat for now. But then it does not make much sense to bore you all with that. Still, there are some positive sides to this quietness - there is almost no swell so I can sleep at night without worrying about being thrown out of my bed and I can have my Hagelslag sandwiches for breakfast [a spread made from granulated chocolate] without everything flying inside the cabin. I can even read a book without the letters dancing in front of my eyes and having to search for the right line over and over again. And lastly and not without its importance, I can focus on my favourite activity: cleaning up! Yesterday I cleaned inside my fridge. While sailing I cut the power off to it so it saves the electricity for the Radar and the GPS. Well yep again! I forgot that there was still some food inside it. The last time I had forgotten a cucumber that looked more like a piece of dung when I found it and this time I had left a pack of ham slices that was starting to really stink. Yucky... Anyway the fridge now smells all fresh and fruity and I can concentrate on nicer things like reading, playing a little guitar, looking at the waves and begging for a little bit of wind. But I have a feeling that I might have to wait for another week for that to happen!
Regards,
Laura
WEEK 59
Column-Logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad
October 06, 2011
Translation for Zeilmeisje Laura Dekker
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Each week in her column-logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad Laura Dekker will relate her journey around the world aboard her sailboat Guppy on her attempt to become the world's youngest circumnavigator.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Near Christmas Island]
I am getting used to bobbing
I am going like a spear. I have never had such good winds before. We just fly over the waves and we are heading in the right direction and no problems with the swell either. Guppy is barely dancing up and down, making my life onboard very comfortable. I don't have to pick up my shoes and pans from the cabin's floor all the time like I have to when Guppy heels from one side to another... Yes, right! Dream on, Laura!... The wind has been and still is a sad affair, and it looks like will stay that way for some time. All day I try to catch as much of it I can in my sails. And every time I want to go to bed the wind seems to be thinking: 'You know what? I'll wait until she is deeply asleep and then I will fade away'. An then I'll wake-up suddenly from the noise of the sails flapping like crazy with the calm winds, jump out of bed and take on another battle with the sails. And so I did not have much sleep for the past nights. But happily, I manage to catch some sleep an hour at a time or so during the day. Well, everything is not all a drama over here, I am not sailing fast but still I am going forward! And it is very nice to hear from other sailors on the SSB that they also are sitting in the same boat as I am. I am slowly getting used to bobbing back and forth all the time with the steep waves that come from all directions. Reading books is better going and I even find it more fun all the time. I read a mix of everything: from Stieg Larsson thrillers to Dutch classics (for school... yes, yes, I did not completely stopped with it) and also books on sailing. Luckily, plenty of books were given to me by fellow sailors in the past months so I still have a small stockpile to go through after which I'll just start over... Even though I can not yet tell you about my next destination, I can say that I still will be at sea for a little while!
Regards,
Laura
WEEK 60
Column-Logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad
October 13, 2011
Translation for Zeilmeisje Laura Dekker
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Each week in her column-logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad Laura Dekker will relate her journey around the world aboard her sailboat Guppy on her attempt to become the world's youngest circumnavigator.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Position not given]
Enjoying the stars
Because I did not have much chance to sleep last night, I lay down on the sofa for a while and watched all the photos I decorated the walls of the cockpit [must be the cabin]with: my 'Optimist', the 'Contender' to my first Guppy (Hurley 700) - all those boats I sailed over the small sailing districts back in the Netherlands. As I look at the photos my whole life is passing in front of my eyes. Unbelievable ... back then I knew just a little about sailing. I wonder where my 'Mirror' might be now. I really miss her. She made me feel free. With her I could escape from the people. I was so little then. Then there was the Hurley 700, my first Guppy. The picture was taken during a competition in Culemborg [the Netherlands about 30 miles south-east of Amsterdam]. I won the race and it was one of the very last competitions I participated in. I wanted to go further, much further away from the sailing districts and out to sea and the freedom. Now I have what I wanted then. Why should I complain as my sails flap in the calm winds once again as I fight with the spinnaker's pole. Suddenly I am completely satisfied with what I have now. I have all I ever wanted. Freedom, peace and vastness. I read Stieg Larsson's book for a while - right, the Millennium Trilogy another time - until it was dark outside again. Can you imagine what I feel like?! ... So, pancakes, pizza and watching a movie. Well, I couldn't do the pancakes and pizza right so early but I could watch a movie. After I took place on a sofa on the boat's lower side, I started my laptop and watched "Trainspotting". When the movie was over it was already dark outside. The boat was lying quietly in the water and after some time I realised that indeed I am bobbing somewhere in the middle of the ocean! I cooked dinner and went to the cockpit where I enjoyed the stars and the moon shining on the water. It looks so beautiful and it is so clear outside because of the moonlight.
Regards, Laura
WEEK 61
Column-Logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad
October 20, 2011
Translation for Zeilmeisje Laura Dekker
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Each week in her column-logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad Laura Dekker will relate her journey around the world aboard her sailboat Guppy on her attempt to become the world's youngest circumnavigator.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Position not given ]
Writing is an important pastime to me
I have been at sea for quite a while now, still I cannot tell about the destination I am sailing too nor my exact position. Each mention of a storm, of the wind direction or of a squall might tell-tale where I am. It really is very important that it be kept secret. Of course, I don't spend all day thinking about pirates boarding my boat and kidnapping me. But I prefer the 'better safe than sorry' method. I keep writing about my everyday experiences which I will post on my website in the coming weeks, and I am very busy working on my book that should be released once I finish my journey. I never dared dreaming that I could be writing my own book but now I have written more than one hundred thousand words which is about two hundred printed pages. Writing is not just a fun thing to do, it also is an important pastime to me. Besides it helps me a lot on those days when I am in a bad mood, and it is always nice to reread myself sometime later. When I am ashore so much happens all the time that I soon forget about it. At sea it seems to me that the days monotonously go by the same. But when I reread what I have written, it doesn't feel so bad at all. I know I am experiencing much now but I don't really feel this way at the moment. What shall I write about today? Oh yes, I was so happy that the sun was back after one and a half week of absence... I certainly needed to recharge my batteries. Besides that I can announce that I baked bread. Even though I purchased a great stock of bread which I laid out in the sun to dry so it would keep for a longer time, the freshly baked bread really is a treat. I am not a very enthusiastic amateur chef, but to baking and cooking is getting to be more fun each time. Moreover, making bread passes the time and it gave an aim to my day. OK, I will confess that I did not experience anything very much new today... And I keep bobbing and writing, and heading for safe waters!
Regards, Laura
WEEK 62
Column-Logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad
October 27, 2011
Translation for Zeilmeisje Laura Dekker
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Each week in her column-logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad Laura Dekker will relate her journey around the world aboard her sailboat Guppy on her attempt to become the world's youngest circumnavigator.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Position not given ]
A few days ago I was sent a surprising message. I am nominated for the Conny van Rietschoten Trophy, one of the most prestigious award a Dutch sailor could be awarded. It is named after a great sailor that won the Whitbread Round twice, one of the toughest sail race on the planet. The race is still held today under the name of "Volvo Ocean Race". My candidacy is proposed along with Lucas Schroeder and Wouter Verbraak ones, two men who already did much and have already done many ocean races. How is it I am nominated along with them? It is an honour on its own and I am looking forward to the Award Ceremony on this coming November 17th. As I reflect upon this I remember the few past months and where I have been. I also think back when I was eight years old when I dreamt about the oceans and the uninhabited island I would no doubt discover. I was looking for adventures then... all the time. I walked cornfields many hours at a time, had swordfights with wooden sticks with friends... And always I spend much time on the water with my small sailboat weather being good or bad, I had this need for water. Mostly I enjoyed the times when the clouds were dark in the sky and the splashing water around my sailboat. And I dreamet of being at Sea, heading for an unknown land where I would meet different people... Well for now I am less than happy with the way the waves are coming at me. But then I am on my way to new lands to learn about and strangers to meet which makes me happy. Even though this is nothing like I thought it would be when I was I eight, I really am enjoying this, I think it is a great way to spend one's life.
Regards,
Laura
Zeilmeisje Laura Dekker
WEEK 63
Column-Logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad
November 03, 2011
Translation for Zeilmeisje Laura Dekker on Facebook
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Each week in her column-logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad Laura Dekker will relate her journey around the world aboard her sailboat Guppy on her attempt to become the world's youngest circumnavigator.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[ Position not given ]
A seagoing rollercoaster
I was so happy when I got rid off the cockroaches but now I have new stowaways on board. This time they are much smaller and not as disgusting: ants, luckily the sort of ants that don't bite. Back in Darwin they were everywhere. Sitting down somewhere they would crawl up your legs, and laying bags on the ground to sit on proved to be not such a very good idea. Hidden in clothes or bags some of them have managed to hike along, and now they live aboard Guppy with me. Except for the odd one that runs over my keyboard or my seacharts they are a small annoyance. In any case they make me clean inside Guppy more often than I usually would. I do the dishes before the pile reaches the ceiling, and I also mop the cabin floor as it becomes very salty. Right now I am relaxing in the cockpit. I am watching the endless blue enjoying all the new variations of shapes that the waves create all the time. Slowly the sun drops into the sea and soon the night will cover me like a blanket. Another day has passed by. I feel happy. I never spent so much time at sea before. However, Guppy and I are still good friends. It took me some time to find my rhythm but now that I have been a long time at sea it really has settled in. This is my world now. However, not all my days go as smoothly as this. For security reasons I am not telling about my next destination, but looking back at the last few weeks I can say that this crossing won't have been the easiest one. I had to fight with little winds, shifting winds, storms and high waves. Occasionally I felt that I was taking a rollercoaster ride. Guppy was thrown onto her side a few times, water flooded into the cockpit and I was thrown to the lower side just as I held on the handles by the entrance. Anyway, Guppy is very brave and I am quite tough too. Well, it would not make me sad if more days would go as today. Days on which I have to think about ants as my biggest worry and that go by without any kind of bad incidents.
Regards,
