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Date : Thu, 14 Aug 2003 23:37:45 +0000
(from her CCemail)
I am at sea, six days have passed and I've seen no land. I am heading west to an island called Niue. If any of you have heard of this independent country, you are bound to win every time you play Trivia Pursuit. It's a small nation consisting of one island about 60 sq km and is run by a Monarchy, like all pacific islands there is great snorkeling and locals are suppose to have ended cannibalism at least two hundred years ago, other than that I know little of the island, oh yeah, rumor has it they have free internet to all. As of most places I've sailed to. I have been living and traveling in a 47 foot catamaran named Alice e. She is a small house that floats, including four small bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchen and dining area. Life on her is adventurous. The number of people on board varies, right now there are nine of us. Mostly it has been brad, his father, mother, brother, and myself. Its tight quarters and feels like one of those reality TV shows at times, except you cant really kick anyone off the boat.... well you could but that would be called murder and is illegal in most countries, including international waters. So, we just learn to give each other space and try not to take things to seriously. Its easy to do when you look out into the ocean and realize how small you are compared to the ocean, and almost mind boggling to look up into the clear sky of the southern hemisphere and realize how small the earth is compared to the universe. Then a few minor tantrums aboard a small boat seem irrelevant in the grand scheme of things. We live well here, We sail, fix the boat, surf, dive, read, cook, fix the boat, play board games, swim, fix the boat. We eat mostly fish cooked in the most creative ways, or more than likely not cooked at all. "Sha-ching that will be $140 dollars for those three pounds of yellow fin sashimi" but not on alice, its free, gifts from the sea goddess I guess.
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So, having been to Niue, I must admit that it is one of the most magical and beautiful islands we have been to. Fortunate for us we had good weather almost the whole time we were there, light winds and sunshine. The locals are incredibly nice. They would always stop and pick us up if we were walking regardless of whether or not our thumbs were out. The people I met there were healthy and happy and friendly. They must have life figured out there, I thought. But, as we toured the island on our rented motorcycle we saw many abandoned houses, even complete towns abandoned, it was like driving through a ghost town. I'm not sure why they left, if I was a detective, had more time or really, really cared I would get down to the bottom of it. Brad and I did some camping. We rented a motorcycle and cruised around the island, taking turns driving. I have not driven a bike in a long time. It felt nice to drive on empty, well paved roads, lined on one side by dense forest on the other a rugged coast, with my big manly husband behind me, our backpack and sleeping strapped to the back of the bike. We were ready for anything. What we did find was the best little cafe, ever. Washaway Cafe run by Willie. He had the place set up on the honest system. People poured there own drinks, paid for them in the cash register and took their own change. Meanwhile, Willie was cooking up some killer Mahi Mahi. We met this crazy salty dog there, who had recently been bit by a shark while snorkeling at Beverage Reef (a lagoon formed by a reef in the middle of the great blue ocean, surrounded by nothing but water). The story was sketchy and we cant be sure if he had tried to stab the shark first, or the shark attacked him first. From my limited experience with sharks, it seems unlikely that this type of shark would make an unprovoked attack. Anyway after having a few beers with this pirate and his concubine we camped out on the beach. One strange phenomon which happens while you are living on a boat is that you equilibrium gets changed and your body starts to compensate for the constant sway of the motion. The night, as I slept on the firm ground I would wake up swaying, the tent was moving to me and I could not sleep well. The next couple of days we spent exploring the beautiful island of Niue. It is the worlds largest atoll island. And off almost every turn off there is a magical gem to be found. I can barely describe it with words, its was like Carlsbad Caverns meets Humboldt county, but its warm and in the middle of the pacific. Nevermind, I cant describe it, look at the pictures on the web site, if you have time. Whether its caves of stalagtites and stalagmites which open to the blue of the sea, fresh water caves to swim in, an oasis of white sand beach and palm tress surrounded by jagged and harsh rock or dense jungle which reminds you of the power of life. This place made me feel close to God, close to life, it reminded me that we all share a life force and that death is part of that force. The life that rises from death is so evident there, with the smell of both rising into the air, entering through your nose and filling your soul. I wish the struggle to know life and god was this easy all the time.
Im in Tonga right now, I'll write about this place another day. Thank you all for the words of support and thanks for being so freaky that you think Im not. I really miss all my friends and love getting your emails, even if I cant always reply. Please keep them coming and letting me know whats going on.
Love, Geneva
Oh yeah web site is: http://www.ellenequipment.com/alice/home.htm
Geneva Garcia
Geneva Jasmine Garcia Ellen is a world traveling extraordinaire. She writes about her thoughts and experiences to avoid talking people's ears off. Her "job" is teaching children in a dual language setting, her want-to-be job is to be a surfing, flamenco dancer.
Copyright by Geneva Garcia
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