Jan 157:30AM and the hotel and yacht club complex in Lambaré (Asuncion, Paraguay) is already shrinking astern. Gustavo our pilot radios the Prefectura (in their rambling, shambling brick building along the waterfront, amidst an oasis of fruit trees riotous with squawking parrots; children playing volleyball; with dogs, men in camouflage and the occasional pig, roaming about … where we went yesterday to get our ‘zarpies’ – paperwork for checking out of the country) and our departure is official!
The day started early (and chilly: so I donned three layers … swimsuit, tank top, and t-shirt :-D) with many friends streaming by to see us off as we scurried around the deck detaching all but the most essential docklines and shore power, and doing other such pre-departure duties.
James Spalding – the recent Paraguayan Ambassador to Washington D.C. – was there with his parents Tim and Marilu, to see us off, so we had His Excellency do the honors of raising the colors this morning, even though it was early (Marie explained that protocol is to hoist the flag no earlier than 8AM and that in the past, ladies were not to be allowed on deck prior to that, as the gentlemen might be bathing in the nude … and she added, ‘I bet those ladies peeked.’) Then we handed him our garbage to bring ashore.
The arrival of well-wishers continued – much like the parade of guests and parties over the last few weeks as Marie and JP began to loosen their emotional ties to Paraguay, in preparation for
tossing off their docklines. Marilu hosted a fantastic farewell party Wed. night (complaining only that people brought ‘too much champagne’) (is there such a thing?); Fidel, Cuckoo and the kids came by last night; and more well-wishers started streaming in at the crack of dawn ... we all have been both excited and anxious about getting underway.
It is always thrilling (and a bit nerve-wracking) to leave a familiar port for new destinations … But even more thrilling is how sweet it is (!) to be with friends at the threshold of their dreams. For 17 years Marie and JP had dreamed of cruising around the world; for three years they labored in a foreign (still developing) country to
It is always thrilling (and a bit nerve-wracking) to leave a familiar port for new destinations … But even more thrilling is how sweet it is (!) to be with friends at the threshold of their dreams. For 17 years Marie and JP had dreamed of cruising around the world; for three years they labored in a foreign (still developing) country to
physically build this boat. And now the work is done, the yacht finally ready to go, the two of them poised to taste the fruits of their labors at last … and yet, as is human nature: with such trepidation at taking that first delicious bite.
“OH. MY. GOD!” Marie screams in realization, as Marilu (crying) stretches her hand across the widening gap between DOMINO and the steel behemoth we were side-tied to. Our lines are all onboard, the fenders in, DOMINO steams away with friends waving ‘til they are tiny ants on the dock and we turn the bend at the Prefectura.
“OH. MY. GOD!” Marie screams in realization, as Marilu (crying) stretches her hand across the widening gap between DOMINO and the steel behemoth we were side-tied to. Our lines are all onboard, the fenders in, DOMINO steams away with friends waving ‘til they are tiny ants on the dock and we turn the bend at the Prefectura.
We are underway!
So I am thinking about dreams: mine, yours, everyone’s … and how I love to see dreams come true. My greatest desire, of being a mother, was granted (thank God) and now I think of Coco and Lani; on the precipice of their futures and yet not even knowing (or daring to imagine) what their dreams are. I wish you mucho suerte chicas! Choose well, then put one foot in front of the other in that direction and one day you will find yourself crossing the threshold and living your dreams, as well.
As for me: here I am, a sunny blue sky dotted with lamb-like clouds; winding down the Rio Paraguay on an elegant and comfortable yacht at a smooth and stellar 12k clip … fishermen wave from their pangas, others wave from shore: DOMINO is eye catching and even the VHF buzzes with talk of “Da-me-nooo” Within the last week I have been tickled with the possibilities of working as crew on a charter in Thailand, a trip to Easter Island, and from Punta del Este (again!?) to the Caribbean; and in six weeks I must find my way to Puerto Vallarta to work on a boat heading north to Los Angeles. What can I say? DREAM BIG!!
So I am thinking about dreams: mine, yours, everyone’s … and how I love to see dreams come true. My greatest desire, of being a mother, was granted (thank God) and now I think of Coco and Lani; on the precipice of their futures and yet not even knowing (or daring to imagine) what their dreams are. I wish you mucho suerte chicas! Choose well, then put one foot in front of the other in that direction and one day you will find yourself crossing the threshold and living your dreams, as well.
As for me: here I am, a sunny blue sky dotted with lamb-like clouds; winding down the Rio Paraguay on an elegant and comfortable yacht at a smooth and stellar 12k clip … fishermen wave from their pangas, others wave from shore: DOMINO is eye catching and even the VHF buzzes with talk of “Da-me-nooo” Within the last week I have been tickled with the possibilities of working as crew on a charter in Thailand, a trip to Easter Island, and from Punta del Este (again!?) to the Caribbean; and in six weeks I must find my way to Puerto Vallarta to work on a boat heading north to Los Angeles. What can I say? DREAM BIG!!
Besos! ~ Betsy
PS – “too much champagne?!” Marilu, what were you thinking LOL!
PS – “too much champagne?!” Marilu, what were you thinking LOL!
AT TOP: MARIE & NORMAN WAVE TO ALL WHO'VE COME TO SEE US OFF, AT RIGHT: ANCHORED JUST ACROSS THE BORDER, IN ARGENTINA
MORE IMAGES
UPDATE: You could not ask for a better maiden voyage! We logged 148nm during which time we each took a few hours at the helm of DOMINO (under the tutelage of Gustavo; using the radar, depth sounder, and a hand drawn chartbook that had clearly been Xerox copied 100 times over … ) while JP and Norman put the systems through a variety of tests. All systems go!
Gustavo suggested an anchorage for the night: Laguna Perdida – ‘Lost Lagoon’ - and it is in fact idyllic (even the mosquitos think so); we share the night with one lone estancia in the distance. Enjoying our asado on the aft deck, the sky clears and is sprinkled with stars … looking up we see Orion (upside down! hah!); astern swarms of fireflies light up the camalotal framing the lagoon, and heat lightening flashes to the west.
Xoxo Betsy/Mom 26 43 37S 58 15 71W
UPDATE: You could not ask for a better maiden voyage! We logged 148nm during which time we each took a few hours at the helm of DOMINO (under the tutelage of Gustavo; using the radar, depth sounder, and a hand drawn chartbook that had clearly been Xerox copied 100 times over … ) while JP and Norman put the systems through a variety of tests. All systems go!
Gustavo suggested an anchorage for the night: Laguna Perdida – ‘Lost Lagoon’ - and it is in fact idyllic (even the mosquitos think so); we share the night with one lone estancia in the distance. Enjoying our asado on the aft deck, the sky clears and is sprinkled with stars … looking up we see Orion (upside down! hah!); astern swarms of fireflies light up the camalotal framing the lagoon, and heat lightening flashes to the west.
Xoxo Betsy/Mom 26 43 37S 58 15 71W
1 comment:
Delightful
Betsy on the water
Beautiful Prose
in the flow
to the sea
Bon voyage !
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