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9 June
2001
We went to Trojka in(/at) the marina. By now I have (practically, edit) given up
on(/concerning) Patrick. Apparently he (just) doesn't have the money, that's the
problem. I know (for a fact, edit) that he wants(/does want) the boat. We met
him out there(/here) and the neighbour tells that he comes by on a daily basis
and sits(/to sit) inside the cockpit?? We met him again and I told him that now
Trojka will (/is going to) be set on shore(/brought ashore) and then the price
will go up with all the costs we will be getting. He is to(/He'll) call (me,
edit) tonight.
Behind Trojka is a Canadian boat now. And one of the guys; Gerhard, came over to
say hello(/hi). So many people think it's so amazing that I have
travelled(/sailed) all the way from Denmark, so he wanted to come over to shake
hands. (I have said it before. Anyone who (really) WANTS to go on a
circumnavigation(/around the world) can do so if the boat is safe. Like other
aspects of life, it's not always the size that matters, and I'm getting sick
(and tired) of all the people who think that it is so goddamn hard(/difficult)).
Gerhard is around 60 years old. Originally a German citizen, but (he) has lived
in Canada, and actually Vancouver for the past 40 years. How lucky since that's
where I'm going to be living. He told me that it is the best place in the world
to live(/reside), about his Danish friends, who (also) live there and about the
Scandinavian club they have there, so now my contacts should be a done deal.
We had a couple of beers with Fred. He is a crew member at a 94 ft. sailboat, so
big, fancy and luxurious that it doesn't even impress me (anymore/any longer,
edit). We have been on board several times, he never knows when the owner
arrives, but usually for about three weeks' time every year. The rest of the
time he is (on board) by himself.
Patrick called. He has still got problems finding(/raising) the money. Tomorrow
we are to take the bus (60 km.) to (go to) another marina to receive(/get)
prices and look at the localities.
We went for a long walk and got widely around (??). We sat at a training
ground(/sports stadium), drank a cola(/coke) and watched the locals play the
French (ball) game of Petanque. We arrived back (at the house, edit) late and
had some tea.
10 June 2001
I woke up early and made pancakes and prepared a large fruit breakfast and was
just ready(/done) when Nat woke up(/awoke).
It is incredibly fortunate, we use exactly the same size in clothes(/clothing),
same length and everything(/all) - so (very) practical that we share (pieces of)
clothes and shoes.
We got off to an early start and took the bus, when (suddenly, edit) it stopped
half way there (??), we hitchhiked (/thumbed it) the rest of the way. At first
with an older French gentleman and later(/after that) with a local woman, who
works for Hertz(/as a Hertz employee) at the airport. She wanted to speak
English and drove on a huge(/giant) detour(/long way round) to take us to(/drop
us off at) the marina. I want to(/I'll) look for her when we get to the airport,
she's really sweet(/nice).
The prices(/pricing) (there, edit) were fair. Of course(/Naturally) it's
cheapest(/it would be cheaper) to lie(/be/stay) in the water and(/where) they
offered (tip) top(/optimum) conditions. Bruno, the French manager, showed us the
place(/gave us the tour) and was incredibly pleasant(/nice) (to be around). The
marina is small and really cozy. There are workshop facilities where they're
building boats, there's just a lovely atmosphere here. There are several foreign
boats set on shore and in the water is a Norwegian boat, but nobody was home. It
looked abandoned too. Sails were removed etc.
We made a deal(/an agreement) that we will be(/are to) sail (round/over) there
tomorrow. We took the bus back and stopped at the marina to pay and buy more
gas, so we can go by engine if there isn't any wind (blowing). I guess(/presume)
it will(/is going to) be an eight hour sail over there.
We talked about making(/wanted to make) a journey(/outing) out of it and are
actually looking forward to making this trip together. We haven't sailed a whole
lot together and never on board Trojka, except from the trip from the
harbour(/port) to the marina with Jason. Today we are going shopping for the
trip and we'll spend the night out there. It'll be fun.
At the quay we met Fred and had a cola with him and I walked to the boat to pick
up the containers. On board was a note from Patrick. Fred later told that
Patrick had been there in the morning. "Call me so we can meet and sign the
contract, I have the money!!". Well, then there's no reason (for us, edit) to
buy (any) gas, so I walked back and Natalie gaped a little, when I returned
without the containers(/empty-handed).
We decided to give him (yet, edit) another(/one more) chance. He's had a few and
I'm so "tired" of him.
We did a lot of shopping. Tonight Nat and I are going out for dinner by(/with)
some locals. We have been there many times to dine(/eat) and such. They have a
"restaurant", but it's kind of a private affair, for family and friends only.
And there are many of them (too, edit). They have invited some family members
and we have invited Nick, the guy who asked for marijuana at Balboa Yacht Club.
I called Patrick from a phone booth and(/but) there was no reply(/he didn't
answer). He's driving me crazy. It would be nice knowing(/to know) where you
stand. We agreed(/talked about) that he quite(/pretty) surely(/certainly) would
have called the house, he has "our" number. No one had called, but when I was
going to make a phone call, I couldn't get the(/a) dial tone and found (out)
that a telephone wasn't hung up properly. A couple of seconds later Patrick
called and asked if he could come by the house to sign the contract. We were
(running) late, but I would appreciate to get this over with, so he
dropped(/came) by the house and we received the money. We signed the five copies
of the contract. We made a deal(/an agreement) that we'll come to the marina
tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. to pick up our sailor clothes etc. We are definitely
going to need them, he can have the rest.
I got to ask Patrick what he does for a living, and yes indeed, he is a priest
on a kind(/sort) of missionary work(/mission) on(/at) the small islands in the
Tuamotus territory(/area/region) and wants to use Trojka to sail around on
official business(/in his official capacity). "The sailing Reverend(/Priest)"
that's just splendid(/wonderful).
We arrived a little late and had had a tremendous night. The food was (just)
perfect. Nick just didn't show (up). The singing and playing music went on into
the early(/small) hours. It's fantastic(/fabulous) to hear Tahitians sing their
local, traditional songs.
Life on a Pacific island is just beautiful(/marvelous) and they are all very
happy people and there's an incredibly relaxed(/laid back) atmosphere (here). |