Column-Logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad
January 27, 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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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