Column-Logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad
June 09, 2011
Translation for Zeilmeisje Laura Dekker on Facebook
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A difficult passage between the reefs


I think I can be be very proud of myself for I sailed by night through the reefs that encircle Tahiti and in the darkness I could not see much. So when I woke up the morning after I thought 'Wow, did you really sail between those?' This crossing from Hiva Oa was one of the most difficult ones so far. There are many reefs in this area, and each year hundreds of sailing boats sink here. You need to think ahead continuously, to know exactly where you are, and obviously to keep at a safe distance from the reefs. Also there might be squalls that can make the boat drift off its course. On the plus side, the reefs make a protective circle around Tahiti so that the waves just break on them making for a very calm and windless anchorage for your boat. I am at anchor off the Tahitian capital, the city of Papeete. Tahiti with its 170 000 inhabitants is very big, clean and very modern. Being among so many people, stores, McDonalds - which is actually not that bad - takes getting used to again. Except for the constant coming and going Tahiti is just great: very green with many high mountains and very kind people... and the water is so clear that I can see my anchor 10 meters below. Many yachts are at the same anchor as Guppy, some I already know and some others with new people I have just met. There is this one sailor who has been here for several months who is working to earn enough money to repair his boat. He took some of us to a vast valley with a waterfall in a car holding together with tape and that had to be started by joining two wires. Unfortunately I won't be staying in Tahiti much longer, I have to sail on.
So until next week, but I am not sure where from yet...

Love, Laura