Archiv
CW 40 2002
22.09.2002 - 28.09.2002
Today is Sunday, September 22, and we're still in Polmar, Isla Margarita,
Venezuela.
A beautiful Sunday, the nicest weather, 34°C in the shade and I've got
a full-grown flu with everything that goes along with one.
No idea how I managed to get that. Well, luckily our on board pharmacy is
well equipped and I quickly find some antibiotics that will hopefully help
soon. Nevertheless I'm out of order right now and spend most of my time in
bed.
That's why I can't join the Mexican Domino they play at Jacks Restaurant every
Sunday.
Thomas and Julia's go there in the afternoon since it's a good opportunity
to meet other sailors and exchange news with then, even if you're not playing.
These days we're all totally keen on news, or to be precise on new weather
reports.
The reason being Isedor and Lilly, two so called tropical waves that could
develop into more, under certain circumstances even into a hurricane.
The first weather report of the day always comes in at via radio (VHF), at
8am when Don broadcasts his so-called Cruiser Net on channel 72, giving the
latest news and information.
And the winner of the Mexican Domino is also announced here. Ute beat them
all and won easily.
Congratulations!
While, once again, Thomas needs to fuss around with the generator, I'm making
my way into town. Actually I only wanted to exchange some money, pay a bill
and do a little shopping, but everything turns out to be very complicated
and time consuming.
Back at the dinghy moorings I meet Franc who takes me back to the ship in
his dinghy. Back aboard it's time for me to lie down and regenerate since
we'll have guests aboard tonight and this flu is still really getting to me.
We've invited our friends Ute, Erich and Julia (from the S.Y. Julia) and Gerda
and Franc (form the S.Y. Silver) to a Pasta dinner.
Once again Thomas cooks magnificently for us! Bruscetta and delicious Spaghetti
Bolognese tickle our palates. Add some good wine and our evening is perfect.
Actually it was more of a basta-dinner and that turned the mood slightly melancholic
at times.
The night was short since Tuesday starts early and rather uncomfortably.
Isedor and Lilly seem to be sending their harbingers after all and we are
shook around on our anchor quite a bit.
At sunrise there's activity on every ship and in the anchoring field itself
since a lot of boats are already re-anchoring.
Members of the crew are on deck everywhere, evaluating the situation.
A lot of them turn, a few times the anchors don't hold, but this is the same
for everyone: we all get shook around thoroughly.
The wind comes into the bay with 25 - 30 knots and the waves roll in accordingly.
Since there are definitely about 100 ships lying here, and at times rather
close, something could happen so quickly.
Everybody is preparing and securing him or herself as best they can and Thomas
also gives some more chain to get us ready for the weather that seems to be
coming.
The wind also carries a lot of rain with it.
It stays turbulent and moving all day, until it slowly starts to quiet down
around noon.
The wind lives up twice during the day, but also calms down again and we are
spared by anything worse.
For a few weeks we always had some of these "clever sayings" in
our logbook.
Today, on our 300th day aboard since the beginning of our tour last year,
that little booklet states the following:
"Man isn't just the product of circumstances, but circumstances are a
product of man".
Well, our circumstances, our doing, are responsible for the fact that we'll
only have a few more days together, aboard the SILVER BLUE. Meaning that this
journey will be over for me here.
That's why our Pasta-dinner was also a basta-dinner; a kind of farewell dinner.
It's time to pack my things, time to say good-bye.
On Saturday I'll already be sitting in a plane heading towards Germany.
Last week it said here, that the diversity of things make life interesting.
That might be true, but not only in a positive way!
But, no doubts, the voyage will continue.
And actually it's just getting started now!
After the ABC islands - and Bonair is supposed to be a divers paradise - the
San Blas islands await you.
According to reports we heard from other sailors and read about this archipelago
by Panama, those 365 islands are supposed to be the highlight of any trip
there. There are Kuna Indians still living there in their original and traditional
ways.
But what it's really like and how the Kunas live there is something you'll
surely be able to see and read about in a few weeks, right here.
All I have left to do now is to say good-bye. I wish you all fun and interesting
events for the remainder of the journey.
Now I'll also be curiously waiting for the new week to see what Thomas has
to tell.
Bon Voyage, keep water under the hull and take care!
Diana
Well, there's nothing much I could add, but at this stage I'd like to thank
Diana for many beautiful and happy days.
But if the chemistry doesn't match any more, even the largest ship becomes
too small.
I wish Diana all the best for her future and I hope she finds the happiness
she deserves.
And how things continue with me …
… you'll still be able to read about that right here.
Next week there'll be pictures again and a report on a trip to the Orinocco
delta and the Angel-falls, the highest waterfalls in the world.
Hasta luego (see you)
Thomas
