Column-Logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad
January 6, 2011
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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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