Dictated by Roz and transcribed by her mother, due to demise of technology.
Position: -04.74758S 154.91690E
This is all so sudden, having been fully prepared to spend 100 or so days at sea, this time it looks as though I am on for a much faster crossing. In fact, even accounting for the necessary detour round the bottom of New Britain, it could all be over in two or three weeks from now.
Given the unpredictability of where I would end up, let alone when, we have been taken rather by surprise. For the last few days my mother and I have started to discuss arrival logistics, but there is a lot to do and a rapidly diminishing window of time in which to do it.
We are following up on offers of introductions from Jean-Michel Cousteau, who I met at TED Galapagos only last month (wow, seems like a lifetime ago!) and Andy Warner and Larry Davis. Thanks to them for offering up their contacts. We are also going to contact the local yacht club, and find out if the British Council has a presence in Madang. Hopefully these things will happen, and happen fast.
My personal logistics are relatively straightforward. It is the boat logistics that are more complicated. Besides a dock to arrive at, I need to find somewhere to store the boat, a way of getting her there, and a plan to get her shipped to Perth in readiness for the Indian Ocean next year.
Yes, I am going to try for the Indian. Assuming that nothing goes drastically wrong between here and Madang, and it ain’t over ‘til its over, I would really like to complete the big three oceans, and apart from anything else, I’ve got a ton of expedition food that I’ve barely dented on this crossing. I am still finishing up the leftovers from last year.
It is quite exciting to think that I could be sipping sundowners in Madang around the end of the month, but it has its downsides too. Tonight as I sat eating my dinner watching one of the more spectacular sunsets to grace the sky during this crossing, I couldn’t help but feel a bit melancholy at the thought of arriving in Madang. I doubt that there will be any familiar faces there to greet me; Nicole has important commitments in Hawaii and Mum isn’t really up to taking the long flight from the UK.
So instead of a grand welcoming party it might just be me tootling up to the dock in Madang, getting my passport stamped and having a solitary beer in the yacht club bar, and then trying to rope in some local manpower to clean and pack the Brocade for her next voyage.
After a four year, 8000 mile adventure this would be, well, a bit on the pathetic side, but I suppose that is the price I pay for landing up half a world away from most of my friends. I’ll look at it this way: it will be great opportunity for me to get to know those news friends I haven’t met yet.
Other Stuff: Alf was sighted today! Of course, this is now a mixed blessing. Happy to know that he lives, but not sure what the heck to do with him if he survives to landfall.
I’ve made it safely past Carteret Island today and am now heading towards Cape Henpan. I should pass it tomorrow and pop out into the Solomon Sea. Does that mean that I have actually finished crossing the Pacific?
Please remember the request from Blue Frontier Campaign to vote for Roz and Margo: http://pep.si/9ZMuai
“Also vote for our coalition partner Project Kaisei to help remove tons of floating plastic debris in our Ocean! Vote here: http://pep.si/alxXp
Roz EBay Store
Roz souvenirs, personalised items, gifts to give to people to let them know about Roz – visit her Roz Savage items on her EBay store.
Rita: Many thanks for the numerous guesses in the GoRozGo Contest, and other donations made recently. I am just sorry that I cannot thank you all individually, but as you can see from the above blog, life is getting rather busy!
Make it an unbeatable record, Roz!
What is Alf eating? Being that far away from land there can’t be gnats, flies or other spider food. Maybe he is eating crawling bugs in your boat.
Just how long can a spider live without eating? Wait, I’ll google it, from a few days to 18 months. That doesn’t help much. So what is the penalty for bringing a non-native specie to Madang? Roz may have to arrange for an accident to happen to Alf.
Fair winds and clam seas Roz.
Jerry
Roz, if you’re arriving much earlier than you prepared for, there must be something very important that you’re destined to be doing on land this summer. Maybe in June you’ll make exactly the right connection to get the Ripple Project funded and launched, and if you’d been out at sea you would have missed it.
Madang looks beautiful from the pictures I see.At least the coastline of beaches!Looked for airfare there and it doesn’t seem to be a regular route for most! Imagine that? Well Roz, here is a suggestion, after your cold brewski, head on down to the local craft market, trade some of your food for native crafts and put them on your EBay store.Treasures of your trip.The plan to row the 3 oceans, is a spectacular goal. you’ll have the Grand Slam of ocean rowing.You continue to make the world a better place. Thanks for all your efforts, to keep us all informed. AmyinAustin
Yay for Alf! I am happy he has survived this far. I hope he stays away from the Boobies I dont know if they eat spiders, but it wouldnt be good for him to be over his head in boobie poop either!
OK Roz, It is only natural that as a world traveler, oceans crosser, that you might want to finish your voyage with something like a tramatic last 200 yard swim or fighting off BOOPIES or missing every island plus Australia and landing on some remote Isle just short of the South pole. But I have been praying so much for your safety that I WELCOME a short, safe final leg to your journey! YOU DESERVE a sweet, short finish after all you have done and accomplished! So far, no broken oars, “bottom side” rash 🙂 at least that I have seen or drinking waste water.
Just what is Alfe’s life expectancy anyway? I just hope the port authorities don’t spray stowaways! 🙂
Please do not squash Alf! I’m quite sure he’s not the first insect stowaway to cross the pacific to a new home via a boat. At least, see about putting the little guy in an terrarium.
I miss Leo laporte on the podcast.
It is interesting to hear the podcasts and follow the rowing and the thoughtful blog posts.
Your attitude about going to PNG is really sticking with me. Your voice when you said “If I go to Papua new guinea, it’s all part of the adventure,” was really compelling. Some might say that with resentment or irony or resignation or regret. But what you said it was with a sort of adaptability and wanderlust. It was one of those moments when it just seemed to sum up so much of what you’ve taught me through your book and your adventure.
So happy to hear about the Indian Ocean plan.
God bless.
I agree with all of the above. Tim, she is definitely unbeatable! Great idea Amy! I would bid on some local art or handicraft. I join Jerry and Stacey in concern for Alf’s safety. Collin’s terrarium idea is a great one, and I might add that you should take it upon yourself to return Alf to his/her home … Tarawa? Roger, you are spot on: “YOU DESERVE a sweet, short finish after all you have done and accomplished!” Joan and Nick, I also have a feeling the law of attraction is working! Playing the hand we are dealt leads to amazing and surprising opportunities.
Happy Rowing, Roz!
Hi Roz,
After you came to Seattle to speak at the Benaroya Hall, I said I would follow your adventure across the pacific from day 1. You are an amazing woman and an inspiration and I cannot believe you are almost there! Today I write to you because my brother is starting his new adventure. He reminds me A LOT of you. Marcos Diaz (my brother) will be swimming across the continents with the United Nations for the Millenium Development Goals. Check him out here: http://iswimwithmarcos.com/
He supposed to get in the water tomorrow the 14th. He is Papua New Guinea and will swim to Indonesia uniting Ocenia to Asia…Are there any words of wisdom you would like to share with him?
Your fan in Seattle,
Patricia
Colin, in my response to your terrarium idea, my wording was not clear about who “you” was referring to … I meant to say that Roz should return Alf to his/her home. Certainly do not expect Colin to return Alf to Tarawa ;-D
Wow, after this blog post, I totally wish I could fly out to PNG with my wife and daughter, and even if it’s just the three of us waiting at the dock, we’d make the BIGGEST celebration out of your arrival that was humanly possible for two adults and a baby girl. Sadly, we cannot. We’ll be with you in spirit, though! Keep going, Roz, you’re almost there!
PS Rita, thanks for doing everything you’ve done to keep us all in the loop as to what’s happening with Roz!
Hey…you will totally not be celebrating alone when you land. I’m sure all of us Rozlings from all over the world will be raising a glass with you! I know I will be! Cheers to a quick and safe crossing!
I am delighted to hear that Alf is still alive.Who knows what this little stowaways story is. He is on his own adventure.I wouldn’t worry about him he will surly find his own way when you land.I don’t think such an adventure loving spider would like to live in a terrium.
Happy Rowing!
J
hm, actually quite obvious that Alf is a spider and not an earthworm or so. Looks like he knows why he’s still around an expert on spinning a world wide net and connecting so many wonderful people.
I’m glad to be captivated 😉
It would be fun if Alf could write a book from his perspective. Let him talk about Roz and what he encounters on his voyage.
Well Roz, you don’t know me, but I have been following you and your podcasts (leo was the first place I learned about you) and I tell everyone about your adventure. I am so proud of you, and very inspired by you.
Wendi Friesen
Rita – grateful if you could get in touch by email. I may have a useful contact in Madang. David
There is a jetty at the Madang Club which is just inside the harbour on the left, easily seen. They have covered storage under the club house. Customs etc are just a 100m walk from the club. The OceansWatch team will be there in July, pity we shall miss you.
Wow, was just charting your last position where you came “close” to Pt. Henpan…looked like about 6 miles??? how fast does the current run where you are rowing? It looked like, between Tweets, it took you about 3 hours of rowing? would be fun in one of your next blogs to talk about some of these events especially now that you are encountering air/water traffic and land…do you have a dept finder aboard? what depths are you encountering? would be fun to hear about some of these observations…yes things did go quickly, but that is maybe good as storms, currents, etc. are some of the things that could have made longer and more treacherous…maybe you are both getting lucky and getting the hang of this ocean rowing stuff…not to be blase about it…on the bright side, it will be nice to see and hear a little more directly from you (assuming your will recover some of your electronic/communication capacities…and give your mum a rest! happy navigating with those oars…
Roz,
I’m thrilled to hear you’re moving so fast! I do hope there’s some kind of welcome. But at least there’s beer.
-Eric
P.S. I threw my vote for you at Pepsi. Good Luck!
Hello Roz (and greetings, Rita)
Goodness gracious! I can’t believe how far you’ve got, how fast. (This is what I get, I think, for going away for a couple of weeks without internet access!) Just thought I’d check in, see how you were doing, leave you a message, etc., only to find that you’re almost there. Great decision to go to PNG, and like others, I wish I could be there in Madang to greet you, but I’m sure that all your fans and friends will be lifting a celebratory glass to you and with any luck you’ll hear the cheers from all around the world!
Best of luck for the final push. Even without the Indian Ocean, it looks as if you’ve probably now rowed at least half way round the world, which is an incredible, awe-inspiring feat. GoRozGo!
Caroline
x
Roz, I have no doubt your arrival with be worthy!Magic seems to find you no matter what.All of this good energy you are generating seems to be a magnet for it. Just make it safely and we will all be sharing a collective toast! Also, Patricia your brother is hot!Too bad he’s leaving before Roz arrives. He would be an excellent greeter!