Column-Logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad
Thursday, September 23, 2010

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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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Birthday!


I do not feel like I am 15 yet but since last Monday, I am. Even though I did not have plans for celebrations I had a great day. At half past six in the morning my mother and my sister sang me out bed. A little later my father was calling to be followed by my grandparents and then the people of the harbour master office came in with a big fancy cake. I spent the rest of my birthday mainly under water. I went snorkelling in sub tropical waters and I enjoyed the beauty of the underwater world with my own eyes for the first time. And so these were my farewells from Lanzarote. Early Tuesday morning I set sail heading for Gran Canaria. This leg went without problems. Leaving the harbour I had winds from astern and I could go under full sails. The full moon was shining and the waves reflected its light which was so nice to see. I arrived in complete darkness at six o'clock in the morning. Then I went to bed which I could not do during the crossing. Waking up later I was a very much surprised to see the green mountains all around me. What a contrast to dry Lanzarote. Heavy rain then started to fall and so I could not go outside. Luckily the rain desalted and cleaned my boat good. Since it was raining so much I could spend my time doing very much of my schoolwork. My first tests I already did and I had a 9 for German and an 8 for biology [School grades in the Netherlands: 1 - 5 (fail), 5,5 (adequate) - 10 (excellent)]. Not so bad, is it? In the coming days I am planning to meet more new people. Next time I will tell about my first adventures here.

Sincerely, Laura