The s/v William T. Piquette has been the constant for me in this journey. The boat was my home, it was where I returned to every night. It was where my bed was, where we cooked and ate meals, watched movies and played card games, went spinnaker flying and swimming, had friends over to hang out and talk late into the night. Another constant has been the water. Wherever we've gone, we've arrived by traversing oceans, bays, straits, and even rivers. And while I usually greeted the sight of land with joy, it always felt right to push the dinghy away from it and go back out onto the water, heading home to the boat.
My life has revolved around this boat for the last eight months. That sounds strange to me because before joining Eye of the World in Tahiti I had never sailed before. It was an unknown way of life, and an unknown way of travel. I have definitely learned an incredible amount over the past 9500 nautical miles. I can raise, drop, pack, and reef sails; check fluids and start the engine; hold a course at the wheel; refill fuel by siphoning it through a tube; drop and raise the dinghy; pick up a mooring; drop anchor and set the snubber. I finally mastered the windvane, and overcame my nervousness at docking; I even looked forward to it. I can cook a delicious meal while the galley and everything in it is rocking madly. I've learned to see the wind on the water and feel it on my face. I can hold us on course in storms when it's most important. And before the WTP, I had no idea any of that existed, let alone that I could and would do it all.
I believe our decision to continue overland is a good one. The piracy situation in the Gulf of Aden and beyond is growing worse, and although boats may pass through just fine (and I sincerely hope they all do!), the consequences of not making it through are dire. With the time we have left, we will be able to see much more by traveling overland, fully immersed in the cultures of the cities we travel through. And our heading remains the same: due west.
Life on the boat has been amazing. Sometimes it hasn't been easy, but it's always been exciting and challenging. I have pushed myself and gotten out of my comfort zone, only to find that zone expanding and my confidence increasing with the new experiences. I have met great, inspiring people and made new friends, witnessed so many breathtaking sights, and seen a plethora of exotic and wonderful animals. Although I'm sad to leave the boat, I will approach the next part of this adventure with the same attitude I had when I stepped on the WTP in Tahiti, and embrace it fully.