The first days at the HISWA [HISWA Amsterdam Boat Show] are behind me now. The first day was quite stressful but very nice though. It was much calmer yesterday and today so I had some time to walk around the HISWA boatshow. Yesterday evening [correction: the evening before yesterday, March 2nd] I gave a long lecture to a large audience in Ijmuiden for the first time. It all went well generally. I received many positive reactions. However, I think I talked a bit too fast at the beginning. After the break it went a little better. There is nothing scheduled for tonight so I can enjoy some rest. It is very strange to be back in the Netherlands, it is very cold but I am beginning to get used to it again. The traffic jams, the apartment buildings and the hustle and bustle also take getting used to again. Well, it is a nice change from my life aboard Guppy. Nevertheless, I will be happy to be back on Guppy next week and to go sailing again. I am planning to sail to Curaçao after my return and then to the San Blas Islands, and from there on towards Panama.

Laura