Column-Logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad
Thursday, November 11, 2010

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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.
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“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