UPDATE: Roz has ARRIVED in Tarawa!!! – 2pm Tarawa time / 4pm Hawaii time.
TeamRoz back in Honolulu relaying the plans for today…
As of 10:30am Hawaii time (which is what is displayed on the RozTracker), Roz is just 11 miles from the southern tip of Tarawa where she’ll be arriving. Nicole just called in via sat phone to let us know that the plan is for the film crew and support crew to leave by boat from Tarawa at around 2pm Hawaii time (12pm Tarawa time) to rendezvous with Roz.
From there, the boat will guide Roz through the treacherous reefs that surround the atoll to help her get safely to shore. This will be tricky, so it’ll take all of Roz’s efforts to stay on course and safe. She’s been rowing hard all morning… she can almost taste the cold beer, no doubt!
RozTracker GPS updates are now every 20 minutes, so check back often to see exactly where Roz is!
As soon as we have any photos, videos, and updates, we will be sure to post them to the RozTracker. In the meantime, spread the word in whatever way you can so people can follow these last few exciting miles!
GO ROZ GO!
GO ROZ GO!
GO ROZ GO!
[Photo: Children of Tarawa welcome TeamRoz to the airport. Can't wait to see Roz's reception!]
Hi Doug, I believe the answer to “how did you do it on so little sleep” is adrenaline. A similar situ hit me in Hecate Straight (between mainland and Queen Charlottes (Haida Gwai) 3 years ago. In my reflection, dead tired, bone-weary, adrenaline kicks in big time, third eye opens, everything crystal clear – Keep on paddlin’ (kayak) and stop when you drop. Don’t remember much from reaching Prince Rupert and the following 4-5 days, though.
Thanks, Ron. I owe you an email … later today … heading out the door in a few …
I missed seeing these tweets from Roz late last night after RozTracker went idle … nice to read … thanks Roz!
7:42PM – incredible welcome. hundreds of people. traditional dancers. and an ice cold coconut water.
8:05PM – boat safely stored for night. on way to hotel. trees! people! pigs! (seriously!)
9:50PM – best shower of my life! and just weighed in. 30lb down.
I think people who don’t know the full story of Roz’s life, who’ve simply read a short article, don’t have a right to pass such bold, hate-filled judgments. All you people claiming moral superiority over Roz, or who cite some misguided interpretation of your religion, you really need to consider why you have so much hate inside you.
Someone who feels fulfilled in his or her own life would be content to move on after reading about someone they dislike; they would not waste another moment with someone they considered immoral. Yet you all who spew this vile garbage are still spending your time obsessing over Roz, someone who you claim to dislike. You sit on your computer and burn inside while you vent this hatred. Please, ask yourself, “Why am I doing this?” If you really want to help other people consider whether what Roz has done was right or wrong, why write comments that are so self-assured, that don’t leave room for self-reflection?
There must be something about Roz that inspires you, yet you are unable to admit it, even to yourself. You’re trying to suppress it through over-compensated malice, but I suspect it isn’t working for you. Perhaps there’s a part of you that is envious and frustrated that you’ve settled into an everyday life with no way out. Perhaps not. But you see someone who found a way out and want to cut her down so as to make yourself feel better.
You presume that because some article you read about Roz was short, than her decision-making process was also quick and easy, that it didn’t involved a lot of pain and anguish. That her ex-husband thought he was living a perfect life until Roz blind-sided him. But, you don’t know what happened. Maybe you’ll read her book to learn more, maybe you won’t. But even then, I suspect you’ll still find a way to make things right in your mind so you don’t have to admit the truth: you are jealous of Roz, but you want to believe she did something immoral, which would preclude you from doing it too.
You, with such hate; you, who can’t allow those who ARE inspired by Roz to enjoy this day… You have the worst kind of jealousy, because you don’t even know it. Cognitive dissonance is a tough summit to tackle. I’m saddened for you.
Roz,
Thank you for sharing your adventure with the world. It gives people like me who are still (stuck?) in the ‘typical’ daily grind a different taste of life. It has been a joy to follow your adventure and I really l look forward to the last leg of the Pacific row.
“Have faith, expect miracles”
Cheryl
Way to go, Roz! Congratulations on a successful leg! Awesome, awesome, awesome!!!
ROZ; 1,335,834 bravos!
I would love to call you a “Hero” a word that is too often used inappropriately but in your case it would have all it’s meaning – except that according to the dictionnary you have to be a “man” as in:
1. a man of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his brave deeds and noble qualities.
2. a person who, in the opinion of others, has heroic qualities or has performed a heroic act and is regarded as a model or ideal: He was a local hero when he saved the drowning child. (he as in man)
3. the principal male character in a story, play, film, etc.
I can call you a “heroine” but the definition is less:
1. the principal female character in a novel, play, etc. (first recognized as a fictitious character)
2. a woman of exceptional courage, nobility, etc. (I love the undefined etc.s)
3. a woman who is idealized for having superior qualities in any field (but not anyone as in better then man)
YOU are a true hero and heroine with all it’s strength and vulnerabilities! A selfless act that awaken consciousnesses, an inspiration for all.
30lb less and all muscles, a shower of a lifetime, children celebrating you and a cold beer, I’m sure you will feel all human real soon.
Thank you for keeping us engaged and I cant wait to see you in San Francisco.
Sebastian
Unca Dave … I am taking your (and Eric’s) advice and will no longer respond to disparaging trolls. I do feel that truth has to be spoken in the face of lies, but your advice also reminds me that one should not cast pearls before swine, either. Thanks for the reminder.
Now … back to what these comments are really all about — celebrating Roz’s arrival in Tarawa — after over a million oar strokes! (In honor of HER achievement, I decided that anytime I can buy glass over plastic, I will, and anytime I can reuse the plastic I’ve already got — say, from take-out or the work cafeteria — I will. The deal, I think, is simply to find ways of not even having to use the stuff. Easier said than done … but so was Roz’s trip across oceans, until they became reality!
It’s shocking to me when I realize how stupefied I’ve been about my cavalier use of plastics. By “stupefied” I mean I had not realized just how extensive and pervasive is my use of the substance. Yes, in large part because nearly everything is wrapped in the stuff or MADE of the stuff — but still — change comes from first becoming aware.
I’m thankful that it was discovering Roz’s ocean-rowing challenge and journey that has been THE tipping point for me, the thing that really got through to me, regarding this stuff. It finally made me fully aware of the absolute lethalness of the substance — in that it, in most of its present forms will take years and years to break down. Learning that there are two huge masses of unrecyclable plastic — both larger than Texas twice over (!) — floating in two of our major oceans, the Atlantic and the Pacific — was not only disheartening, but a clarion call to somehow, someway, become part of figuring out what we could do about it.
If with one oar stroke at a time a single woman can row across thousands upon thousands of nautical miles and arrive at her destination — when it was landing a parachute on a penny — then one or two simple gestures a day regarding plastic may — just may — help lessen the mess we’ve made in our ‘house’ — Mother Earth.
Imagine if more and more and more and more of us just pitched in. One person shoveling out a pig sty is not too effective — but a whole LOAD of people doing it and the job becomes easy-peasy.
Thanks, Roz, for helping us see what one person can do. And if one person can wake up another, and then another, etc., “shovel by shovel” we surely can clean up this ‘pig sty’!
For me, the ’shovelin’ is starting w/ how I relate to plastic from now on.
Roz — can’t wait to see a video of your happy arrival in Tarawa!
Good one Sebastian, Roz IS a hero. The “man” in your description I take to be a “human” not distinguishing between male or female. She is a HERO because she can touch so many with her wonderful self. Having met her in Tampa, Florida and again in Hawaii, I really admire her and her spirit. She is a true hero, brave in deed, noble in thought: a model in the true spirit of the word. She does not back down in the face of adversity. She is able to bring many people together for good. She loves life and really, really lives it. I hope to see her again in Australia, with some of you good people.
Congratulations, Roz!!!
We cannot wait to see the video/photos of arrival.
Enjoy your well-deserved rest and acclaim.
Godspeed and thanks for the ride…it has been fantastic!!!
Roger
Congratulations Roz on your amazing row! We have been watching you and were excited to read that you’ve made it to dry lan! Bravo
There were a bunch of posts on your blog that seem to be people hating your adventure. Having been a strong supporter of your adventures we didn’t give them much thought, but then went back and started reading previous posts, of fans and your own. We hope that you will be able to clarify what transpired on your row. Some things don’t make much sense, like turning your tracking off, positions/times, etc…. How did they get your position to post on teh tracking device if you had your tracking device turning off? I’m sure, given the posts that we’re not the only ones wondering.
On the surface it appears that you were more concerned with getting off the ocean to sell your books, say it isnt’ so. I suppose we’ll learn what’s going on soon enough, hopefully from you directly, or maybe in the media – they love a scandal.
Sandra Evans,, Google earth is a wonderful thing,, The free version just shows old pics but the Pro version for $500 dollars shows any position on earth ,, IN REAL TIME , and at a much better resolution.
Sandra,
When Roz “turned off tracking”, that simply meant that I made it so the RozTracker didn’t display all the new GPS data that was being sent by her GPS device. When she “turned tracking on” again, I allowed the RozTracker to show all the data that had been hidden. All the position data was there all along, it was just kept private from everyone except people responsible for her safety.
Let me be abundantly clear, at no point were any of Roz’s original GPS positions modified for any reason! If anything on the tracker didn’t make sense to you, I promise it lies only in the tracker itself and not in anything having to do with Roz’s efforts. There is no conspiracy, nothing being hidden.
Ask away with any technical questions you have; I’m happy to be fully transparent. Roz won’t be back to reliable Internet access for a few more days at least, so I’m happy to answer questions regarding logistics and technical details in the meantime.
Colin & Sandra – Google Earth Pro does not show real time imagery. This is directly from the Google Earth FAQ:
http://www.google.com/enterprise/earthmaps/pro_features.html
Does Pro include better imagery? (such as enhanced, updated, real-time, or better resolution)
Google Earth Pro uses the same image database as the free and Pro trial versions, so there are no changes to the locations you see in the free and Pro trial versions. However, with Google Earth Pro, you can print these locations at higher resolution (4800 pixels). You also receive additional professional tools to enhance your organisation’s productivity.
Congratulations you found Google Earth Pro’s Old sales page.. Guess what ,,that is old news look around some more.. They have near real time imagery available now. As in three hours ago.
There are several other programs and sites that also offer real time and near real time views and in < 0.1 Meter resolution. As well as several programs to capture OpenGL and Direct X Images.
The Boobie poop is visible on her boat.
On trolls and revolutions
Many of you, like myself, don´t like to read those trollish comments of some posters. But thinking about those negative comments, brought me to the conclusion: They are usefull. Yes, they are.
Those statements should make clear, that this blog and Roz´ efforts do not take place in the realms of virtuality.
There are ignorant people who give a damn…..and there are those who care. There are those who live well-pampered in their illusions…. and there are those who dare to face the facts. The problem is now, that the trolls claim, that rowing across oceans does not change a thing. But this is an “i-want-it-all-and-i-want-it-now” point of view. It derives from an impatient – somehow revolutionary – mindset. They think, that if results do not show up immediatley, efforts are futile.
The principle of revolutions is to cause big changes in no time (fantastic, we change the world with a fingersnip) – But their fate is to be reversible. Look at all the examples in history.
The principle of evolution ist to cause little changes in generations – irreversable changes! And that´s why rowing oceans does change a thing. If Naomi in NY decides to change her use of plastics and me in Hamburg decide to support local farmers to avoid waste of gas for transportation of goods, something has already changed. And yes, the trolls are right, the change is barely visible! But this is no reason to surrender!
So I always choose evolution, choose to go the long way, accept that there are many, many oar-strokes to be made. The goal might be behind the horizon, but I know each single small step takes me closer to it.
So you see, not only Roz´ great adventure but too the trolling of some people, can fuel the the efforts of those who care.
All the best to you all
Good night.
FYI Hero, in Greek Mythology, was a WOMAN, a priestess of Aphrodite, tne Goddess of love and beauty. The downside is that, when her lover, Leander, drowned in the Hellespont, Hero drowned herself. Ergo, I pray Roz never rows across the Hellespont. Otherwise, the seven seas can be her domain. Lighten up, everybody; there is no Leander in her life (I hope).
Bingo Claus! Excellent summation!
Ditto to what Ron in Vancouver just wrote, Claus! Would love for you to expound and expand, if you would like. Revolution vs. evolution … never quite looked at the two the way you described, but it makes loads of sense. And given that “evolution” is the way of LIFE itself … it seems that evolution (over revolution) is the course all Living should be moving along. And that translates into little changes … done consistently, one person at a time, all over the world! But first people have to become aware and awake. Enter Roz and all others like her … like you, etc.
I love what you wrote — “. . . change is barely visible! But this is no reason to surrender” — because the argument of the ignorant and nay-sayers (that if changes have to come in such tiny, negligible ways, then the change really isn’t happening at all! Since they arent’ changing everything at ONCE, there is no use doing the little things the argument goes! And that makes no sense at all!
I ran out of time in the “edit” phase, so my last post didn’t quite make sense. All I wanted to say was that little changes DO make big changes happen.
If anyone caught the recent Nat’l. Geographic special, The Human Family Tree (http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/channel/human-family-tree?source=redir_sub_family), you may have been as amazed as I was to learn that according to the tracing of DNA back to our genetic “parents” in East Africa (what researchers are calling “Scientific Eve” and “Scientific Adam”), what appear to be major differences to US (skin color, shape of eyes, nose, texture of hair, etc.) actually involved only SLIGHT genetic changes in the DNA strain over the thousands of years they traced back. What was mind-blowing was that, blood-line wise, we humans — ALL of us living on earth today — are nearly identical DNA wise! In other words, only slight blips in DNA over the millennia account for what appear to us to be HUGE differences — that is, it’s the small changes along the way that account for something really “big” happening — i.e., different races!
Somewhere in there I know there’s a correlation … hope my point didn’t get lost along the way!
Never have I witnessed such tremendous input, and support, for a blog from any individual, nor mission -purpose, quest – as seen over past few days for Roz Savage.
Her commitment is mind-boggling and spiritually euphoric, by any definition.
It is so comforting to see that this “family” – which I can identify with – is growing so rapidly.
If even half of us committed to join Roz at end of journey, would Sydney be able to accomodate us?
btw I do not mind being addicted to Roz’s ecological messages, mission, purpose. So free to be!
I think this website needs a forum section, then all the fans can settle in, establish themselves and comment “off topic” to our heart’s content. Just a suggestion.
Mornin’ everyone! Or is it afternoon? Long night. Where did all this confetti come from? And these party streamers, and hats, and empty bottles? Oh, that’s right, we had a PARTY!
Oh, by the way, I need a tweet. Will someone on Tarawa please tweet? I’m obviously going through tweet-withdrawal.
Nicole,
Have been trying to contact others through URLs for purpose Miss Inquisitive just suggested. Ineffective so far. Value my privacy so do not want my address posted here. I am not a geek, have very limited resources, and need some help. Interested? If so, please contact me direct. Much appreciated.
Cool: Niu Hae Akala is now passing another island, the last one! Like a ball in a pinball machine, bouncing off of those mountains. Glad Roz had oars, or she would have been off to never, never land!
Richard,
I was just about to reply with “me too” and happened to check my Twitter page, voila, a fix:
12:57PM – slept like a sunburned baby last night. still surprised each time i see the stranger in the mirror. 45 mins ago
Sandra
Inquisitive
Collin
Keith
A forum is the perfect solution. Post your email address and you’ll be invited to a google group.
Congratulations!
I spent some time with Gerard d’Aboville in Japan before and after he rowed across the Pacific from Choshi. It was in 1991. Before that he had been the first man to row alone across the Atlantic.
It helped me understand how much dedication it takes to start on such an adventure.
Those who complain about the celebrity status accompanying something which does not fit in the usual categories like acting, politics, tech gurus, etc., should reflect on the many less dangerous, less time consuming ways Roz could have chosen to attain such status if that had been her only goal, which certainly was not the case.
I don’t know much about “forums”, and I’ll leave it to you “smart” people to figure out whether we need one and how to do it. But what I think I would like to see on this website eventually … and I’m just thinking out loud here … is some kind of chat room or forum where people could talk about Australia 2010, swapping info on the best airline prices that they’ve found, hotel prices, visa requirements, possibly search for roommates, and all of that kind of information. This way, that discussion could be kept off the the regular threads during the row next year, and relegated to a side room purely designed for travel information. But again, I’ll leave it to smarter people than I to figure out how such a thing could be designed, with what formats, access requirements, etc. I’m not 100% sure myself that I’ll be going, but I think we’ve got an extremely large and vibrant international community here, and that it’s worth having a place to talk out these things. And who knows, people who “might not have gone” to Australia for the arrival, might change their minds if they have people helping them with information on travel arrangements, lodging ideas, transferring from airports, etc. As I said … I’m just thinking out loud here.
Hi Richard in Austin,
I’ll touch base with UncaDoug and we’ll get something going. I don’t know if Roz has a start date for leaving Tarawa, but right now it’s winter in Oz and Sydney might have a temperate winter, but an arrival in October/November is perfect for us. Shoulder season is great for flight/hotel/car rates. Just make sure your passport is current for at least 6 months after arriving in Oz. Yes, you will need a visa and yes, there is a departure tax that you pay when you leave Oz and yes, you will be driving on the left side of the road. That’s always an adventure.
I tried to find Naomi’s email on her website. Maybe I’m blind. I’ll work with Doug on a group forum.
-Sindy
Roz;
You are awsome! Great job, girl. You inspire us all, bigtime. Congrats on the wonderful sleep / rest you so deserve. Can’t wait for your next leg.
JIMMY
Sunday night here in Asheville.
Roz, I’m so grateful to have been a viewer on this leg of your journey. I love thinking of you with cold coconut water and dancers and welcomers of all kinds. What a gift you are giving to all of us, to all of them, and to the greater world.
Thank you.
Laurey in Asheville, NC
Roz has a new blog post as of just now–on Facebook, for some reason. It’s titled: Arrival Day + 1: HELLO TARAWA!
Anyway, here’s the link for those of you on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/note.php?note_id=154930556100&ref=nf
Oh, it’s on the Roz Tracker, too, so everyone can read it. Yaaay!
I have been critical on occasion, but I have always admired Roz’s courage. She started out totally unsupported and picked up sponsors and a “team” on the way. This is not an unusual, and since this voyage was totally her idea there is no reason to deceive anyone.
Keith Jackson – Posted September 6, 2009 at 11:59 PM
Oh, come on, I’m not invited to the Google group?
Gonna be awfully boring with just you Kool Aide drinking parasites.
I guess my post was just too subtle for your quick and clear understanding of the intention.
The forum ideas was proposed by Miss Inquisitive and seems a good idea for those listed, namely:
Sandra, Miss Inquisitive, Collin and Keith, exclusively, where you can, in the words of Miss Inquisitive, “establish themselves and comment “off topic” to our heart’s content”
Do you understand the intention? It’s a special forum just for you and the other puppets and the puppet master. So puppets and puppet master may post your email addresses and you will get your own special forum to meet.
In the mean time, the rest of us will migrate over to the most recent wonder post by Roz.
Roz, serendipity … I just posted “Arrival Day + 1: HELLO TARAWA!” to The Climate Project wiki
and noticed that the number of presenter views of the page is exactly 350 at this moment.
How appropriate ;-D
Cheers! Enjoy Tarawa!
Congratulations to an exceptional adventurer. You are an inspiration to the human spirit. God bless and safe travels.