So about a month ago I left New Zealand on my own for a little tour around the world, by plane this time though.I stopped in Europe first, where I gave one presentation in Germany and two in Amsterdam. I’m always amazed at how short one month is to see family and get things done.
Of course it doesn’t help that the family is scattered all throughout Holland and Germany.And by now my little sister has also left home and is traveling all over Europe with the circus… But I enjoyed every second that I had with my family. Dad and me went sailing together a lot. In Kiel, where I gave the first presentation,we were invited to sail on a beautiful 12mr class yacht. They are wonderful yachts to sail – very heavy, which makes them smooth and quiet to sail on, yet very fast because of their (beautiful) design. Dad and me left Kiel to go back to Holland where we took part in a regatta on a boat that belongs to one of my dad’s friends. We have known him for a long time and I have spent a lot of time with him and dad racing on the rivers of Holland. I was usually on my own boat though. So this was a whole new experience. There was only 0-5 knots of wind during the race and our heavy displacement boat we stood little chance against the light boats. We were still pretty happy with the results in the end tho, and most importantly had a good-fun weekend. After the race I spent a mere two days on dads boat as we enjoyed the summery weather and went out wake boarding and sailing on dad’s Minicat. Time moves to fast when your having fun and before I knew it I was already on my way to the airport. I had just had enough time to have a few lovely days at mums place and to celebrate my 21st birthday at a pancake house with family and friends.
Next landing: Portland,Oregon.  When I was in Port Elizabeth I met two lovely couples from Portland. My very good friends on S/V Winddancer, who now live in Whangarei – and another couple that has now finished their round the world trip and returned to Portland. He is now the commodore at the Portland Yacht Club and got me set up for two presentations there (because the
first one had sold out). I have been here for a week now and managed to get around to see the area a little bit. Portland and the
Columbia river are amazing places to explore. There is a waterfall around every corner and lots of amazing hikes.
I have been away from home for a month now and it’s certainly not as much fun to travel all by myself as it was when I
was sailing around the world. At almost every presentation I get asked whether I wasn’t lonely. I think that up until now I
didn’t really know what it meant to be lonely. Since childhood I have done so
much by myself and I always just focused on sailing and learning more about sailing.  I had some good friends, but
because we moved so much I never made any permanent friends while growing up.
Of course I missed my family while sailing and still miss them.
My travels aren’t finished yet. Vancouver BC, New York, Bellingham and Hong Kong still lay ahead before going home.

Laura 

Sailing aboard the 12mr classic yachts in Kiel together with dad 🙂

Our high speed sail-race in Holland onboard Divi Divi.

Hanging out on the low side to keep the sails from falling back so we don’t lose any speed. But which speed?..

Celebrating my 21st birthday in Holland with family 🙂

View from Mt Hood.

View of Columbia Gorge from the Angels rest trail.

View of the Columbia Gorge from Angels rest trail.

A beautiful little gorge along the old columbia gorge highway.

After wading trough freezing water this was an awesome little reward at the end of the little gorge.