Young Sailor Lada’s and First Mate Mum’s Birthdays in the Ocean
We’ve been celebrating for two days now. It just so happened that everyone in our family has had the chance to experience this. I turned 17 on our first major passage to South America; we celebrated Dad’s birthday recently while underway, as we sailed to Polynesia and the completion of our circumnavigation; and now it’s the girls’ turn)). An unforgettable experience—but now at least everyone will have had it.
The Young Sailor Is 11
Yesterday was a lovely and unusual day. It was planned around Lada’s wishes: we had tea and cake—which was really, really hard to make in the rolling seas on the 31st—blew out candles, had a disco with loud music, drank children’s champagne on deck, and played various board games. We also watched The Last Warrior during the day and made Olivier salad—in short, we partied as best we could))). The weather calmed down, and the birthday girl didn’t even get a bucketful of water dumped on her head through an open window—a present from the ocean)). It’s unclear whether that’s good or bad for our progress, but at least we got a little rest.
Eleven years ago, on April Fools’ Day, my sister came into the world. She was so tiny then, and now she’s already grown up, though she still acts like a little baby sometimes)). Our yacht girl, with so much ahead of her! Let’s all wish her the same sparkling eyes, cheerfulness and curiosity. May the whole world be open to her. That’s everything I wish for her :).
Mum
She got the very best present: Lada was born the day before her birthday. And the day before that, Mum climbed our mountain in Altai to the wishing stone. Nine months pregnant)). I remember my eyes going wide when I woke up in the night and asked, “Why are you making so much noise?” And they said, “We’re having a baby.”
There are probably very few people like my mum—people who know how to get things done in life, who are determined, intelligent, confident and strong in spirit. Perhaps I’m biased, but I think it’s all true)). If it weren’t for her, this journey wouldn’t exist, nor would this wonderful life that Lada and I have. She’s the person who gets everyone going and calls us to action; she is life itself aboard our boat. Without her, there would be no activity or excitement, no new projects or new core ideas.
Kind, patient, the most beloved and beautiful, the very best—always be that way! May you always be in a good mood, and may everything you do bring you joy. Stay just as wonderful as you are. Thank you for being my mum and for always being by my side.
Our day is only just beginning, and the feast and presents are still ahead. Today Mum—and all of us—have a festive task: it looks as though we’ll be taking down the mainsail, getting out the sewing machine and stitching it up. Sounds like fun, doesn’t it?)) The only patches we have left are red. We’ll look like something out of Waterworld. But of course we’ll celebrate when we reach land. We’re thinking about what we’ll do and where we’ll go. Another great thing is that there are twice as many presents. I want that too))).
We want to say a huuuuge thank you to Elena V., Anatoly K., and the owners of cards ending in ...6263 and ...7471 for the birthday wishes and gifts sent via
YooMoney
! Lada was thrilled yesterday, and it means a great deal to all of us too. Thank you!
Sent via satellite communications. 33 days in the ocean. Coordinates: 18°20′ N, 156°35′ E.
You can find our real-time position under the
Route
tab. It shows the track from the RockSTAR Iridium 360 tracker operated by MVS Telecom.