Column-Logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad
February 03, 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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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