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“…but I would be content with nothing but going to sea…? - Robinson Crusoe, Daniel Dafoe

Across the South China Sea - Six days in the life of a Siberian Sailor

Rob Lilwall
2007-12-01 14:46:30

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www.cyclinghomefromsiberia.com

Current Location: Manila, The Philippines

Km cycled: 12, 802

Km sailed: 1,100

Days spent at sea: 6

Number of being violently sick sessions on boat (!): 4

"A ship in port is safe, but that's not what ships are built for? - Grace Murray Cooper

"...but I would be content with nothing but going to sea...? - Robinson Crusoe, Daniel Dafoe

Plans change, intentions crumble, timings go out of the window. Having spent the best part of a year cycling down the east side of Asia, I approached Hong Kong in early July in the hope that I would soon be able to "hitch hike? a ride on a cargo ship across the South China Sea to the Philippines. And then, just before arriving in Hong Kong (as chance would have it) I did indeed receive a generous email from my parent's friend's son-in-law's friend's friend (!) Jon, inviting me to help crew his yacht on this very route. I was delighted and accepted the offer even though it would mean waiting in Hong Kong for two whole months whilst the boat was made ready. After a few spectacular delays due to renovation work and broody Typhoons, we decided to make a dash for it.

As we jolted and bounced our way through the dancing waves my body decided to celebrate this epic departure from mainland Asia by being repeatedly sick over the side of the boat! I confess that I now only recall this first day at sea as one in which I sat motionless by the open door of the wheel house, breathing carefully and unwilling to even move my eyes lest I set off a deeper bout of nausea. Sparing you further details details, I can say that after this first twenty four hours of misery, I thankfully found my sea legs enough to thoroughly enjoy the rest of the voyage.

Living, eating and sleeping out at sea is good adventure. The primary task is to take your turn at "keeping watch? behind the wheel. This basically involves trying ...