Column-Logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Translation for Zeilmeisje Laura Dekker on Facebook
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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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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