La traduction française de cette page n'est pas disponible.The Blue Planet Odyssey fleet are now cruising through the Indonesian archipelago on the latest stage of their round the world trip.
After months spent in the Pacific Ocean, a few weeks in Australia gave the crews the chance to catch up with visits to family and much needed repairs to the boat. Continuing on with the interviews I conducted with them in Vanuatu in August about the highlights of their voyage so far, I asked them: since you left home, what has been the biggest surprise for you?
The BPO sailors continue to enjoy themselves – here with local guides in Tual, Indonesia
The places & the people
Bill (No Regrets): Wherever we went, people were so proud of their island and their culture, and seem content with their lifestyle.
Bob (No Regrets): The islands seem to be getting better each one we go to.
No Regrets crew with Doina and Dan Cornell, Michael from Drina and Luc Callebaut who coordinated the Vanuatu stopover for Cornell Sailing
Ruy (Blue Wind): The people are so kind, the sailors and the local people.
Ruy talks to students during a visit to a school in Indonesia (photo: Chapter 2)
The sailing…
Daphne (Tahawus): This whole journey! I didn’t think I’d like the sailing so much because I’ve always been a day sailor and I’m still surprised I’m still enjoying it so much.
Daphne helps out with children’s eye tests carried out by the BPO sailors in Vanuatu
The boat…
James (Blue Wind): I was positively surprised with my boat, because we went through two or three times of pretty bad weather, and she performed better than I expected.
Blue Wind at anchor, Ambrym Island, Vanuatu
The weather…
Rob and Carol (Maggie): We have been most surprised by the weather, ever since leaving Bora Bora it has been squally, changeable and cold, with strong winds up to 40-50 knots.
Carol and Rob with son Dan in Southwest Bay on the island of Malekula, Vanuatu
The Technology…
John (Chapter Two): Even though we are really remote, everyone is connected by cell phones, I’m shocked to see that much technology.
Pat and Janet Hayes with sons Josh and John and Chief Sekor of the village on Olal on Ambrym, Vanuatu. Note the Chief keeps his mobile phone handy in his waistband.
Zeke (No Regrets): What surprised me is how much focus is around internet access for us, can we get wifi on the boat, and I’ve been surprised how frequently we could get it; I have realised how important my blog is, because I am not sailing with friends and family, this way I can keep in touch with them.
And personally…
Josh (Chapter Two): I used to be afraid of heights, but I had to go up the mast in the Galapagos, and saw sharks and rays from up there, I was swinging on the bosun chair and felt ok, so I conquered one of biggest fears of my life.
Klaudia (Tahawus): That we all get on together in such a small space!
Janet (Chapter Two): I was surprised to find how strong I can be, my inner strength.
Klaudia and Janet joins the dancers in Tual, Indonesia (photo: Chapter Two)
