Exactly three months to the day that I got on a plane to Fiji, I was on my way back to Los Angeles. I’ve experienced so much in those 3 months. Lots of people have asked about my favorite thing about the trip so far. I think back to all that has happened and it’s hard to single out one experience that stands out above the rest – everything has been so different and so special in its own way. There were 4 countries, 2200 nautical miles, lots of planes, trains and automobiles, awesome sights, amazing experiences, and a slew of new friends along the way.

If I had to pick out one story that really affected me though, I think it’d be this one:

We were sailing back to Auckland after the Coastal Classic race. In the middle of the night the skipper came down to wake me: I just HAD to get up because there was something that I just HAD to see. I wandered up onto the deck and into the darkness, half-asleep and groggy. The night sky was as black as ink, with a black sea to match. I looked into the water and became instantly awake as four torpedoes of light flew by... Dolphins swimming through phosphorescence! The phosphorescence enveloped the dolphins in a white light as they swam through it and they were literally glowing in the darkness of the sea. The dolphins swam alongside the boat, darting in and out of our wake and playing in the bow. Suddenly I was eight years old again and was just giddy with awe and delight - oohing and aahing with lots of Oh My Gosh, That Is So Cool, Can You Believe It, This Is Unreal. This was honestly the most amazing thing I have ever seen! I couldn’t get over the sheer magic of it all. In a world where it’s easy to become disenchanted, I had seen something that makes me believe in Santa Claus all over again. I think I’d forgotten how to be a kid again until that very moment – how to fully enjoy a moment and how easy it was to be freely delighted and happy about something so simple and pure... Those dolphins will always remind me never to forget that feeling.

When I set out on the trip, I was half expecting an epiphany about life, my future, etc. to hit me – heck, three months is a long time. But, other than a good tan and a newfound appreciation for fresh water, it’s hard to tell outwardly what’s changed in me, though I know that I am not the same person that got on that first plane for Fiji. While I still haven't figured it all out, what I now know for sure is that serendipity is real, attitude is everything, and that with a little faith things will always work out. Throw in a little Carpe Diem/living for the moment and I’m on the journey of a lifetime.

What I also know for sure is that everyone has their own unique story:
A 65-year old English woman decided to leave her job and life in England to travel through Australia, New Zealand and Asia by herself for 9 months.
A 23-year old German guy who had been working in NZ thought it would be fun to tackle all the great walks of New Zealand before heading to Nepal to see what it was like.
A young American guy who had just graduated from college and didn’t really know what he wanted to do next decided that 2 years of traveling around the world (literally) was a good option.
Two Dutch girls thought that they’d like working in Australia better than working in Amsterdam, so got themselves a plane ticket and a work visa and went.
A Danish husband and wife took the 6 months of vacation time that they had to show their 3- and 5-year old sons all the animals and nature that they’d only see in storybooks.
Being a 32-year old American woman who’d quit her job to see the world and sail on a boat was somehow just par for the course!

After a quick 10 days at home, some laundry and repacking, I’m heading out to sea again with some French guys who are making their way around the world on a sailboat called Urios. My new friends set off across the Atlantic Ocean last month, and are on course to meet me on the docks of St. John’s harbor in Antigua on Tuesday at 4pm. It should be another cool experience for us en route to the Galapagos Islands with some more good sailing miles under my belt, great Kodak moments, and no doubt a good grasp of the French language for me when all is said and done. I have no idea what to expect or what it’ll be like but I’m looking forward to Part 2 of my adventure and all the stories I’ll have to share with you.

Thank you for your wonderful messages and support, and especially for keeping me connected to your lives. Keep it all coming!

Until the next entry from who knows where and about who knows what…
Here’s to a wonderful 2004!
Judy