He who has a why to live, can bear with almost any how -Nietzsche-
You can't go cruising without setting a date. My date is 31 July 2004. Because if I don't have a date, I'll never go. As soon as you set a date, your dream will transform from a wish into an inevitable event. The difference can be scary because suddenly you're not telling others what you would like to do, but what you will do.
My first date was 31 July 1999. That departure finally happened in September 2001 and the plan never came true. After recovering from my disappointment as well as the theft of a brand new zodiac and outboard in July 2002, I finally set a new date for another attempt. Life is a lot easier when you have goal.
As the great ocean has but one taste, that of salt, so has this Dharma and Discipline but one taste, the taste of Freedom.
-Pali Tripitaka, the earliest collection of Buddhist sacred texts, c. 2nd century BC-
Aliisa World Cruise 2004 - 200?
If you're familiar with world cruising routes, you can see that I'm not going to do anything that hasn't been done before. In fact, hundreds of yachts sail the typical trade-wind route every year. Only the ones that do the 'un-doable' and push into the antarctic on a two man canoe or paddle a surf ski around the north pole, gain international recognition.
For me, sailing is meant to be comfortable. And trust me, even following the standard route, there will be enough challenges for the average man. My cruise is a personal challenge to me. I really don't give a shit how hard it was in the old days. I didn't live in the old days and when I go cruising I don't pretend to live in the old days. I take advantage of all the modern gimmics than I can afford.
While the risk of death, sickness and injury is nothing like it was in the 'old days', the personal feelings of fear, challenge, adventure and achievement are the same as ever.
I will do my best to have a human interest in my writing. To write about personal feelings rather than activities. You know, stuff that makes good reading for anyone, even if they have no interest in sailing.
I reserve the right to make new plans and change the old ones as I go. Conditions apply. Subject to availability. For approved customers only. Offer ends one day. Must go soon. Will get somewhere, and write about it.
