1st of February 2012†

We have recently returned in Amsterdam with joy in our hearts and looking forward to sharing the beautiful news of our son with everyone. However, our hearts were cruelly torn from our chests. During a routine ultrasound here in Amsterdam there were a few indications that there might be a problem. We were sent over to the hospital where a more detailed scan turned the indications into real problems. After a few horrible days the results came back and it turned out that our 34 weeks old son had an additional chromosome number 18 or the Edwards Syndrome. The symptoms of this syndrome are so serious there was (in our case) no chance of survival after birth. Our world collapsed.

The next week, childbirth was artificially started and our son was born on the first day of February. We were so happy with him, even though his soul was left behind in the womb. He is simply the most beautiful thing we have ever seen. He is our son and we are proud to have him!!! It is very strange that it is possible to feel so much joy and at the same time such an intense pain and sadness. He is the most beautiful, most brilliant and coolest boy ever and we cherish him in our hearts.

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After spending a month around Darwin, waiting for our cruising permit for Indonesia while checking out the outback and arranging for crew to sail with Rolf, we were finally able to set sail again. I write we, but Boukje actually flew over to Bali and spend a week in a retreat being spoiled (being pregnant isn’t so bad). Rolf on the other hand motored Helena for 850 windless miles over the Indian Ocean. His great consolation: once on Bali he would finally be able to eat a kroket again!

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People often ask us what our most scary moment has been at sea. Usually we answer that we haven’t really been in any scary situations, as we try to avoid storms and rough seas and that kind of stuff. Oh sure, we’ve sailed out of an atoll, along the wrecks of two big cargo ships, with 48 knots winds (10 beaufort) on the bow, heavy waves, an engine held together by superglue and cable ties and sails that were damaged and barely holding on; but that was a calculated risk. But now for the first time in 2,5 years of sailing Rolf ran into something he really considered somewhat scary.
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We have arrived in our final port of call in Australia: Darwin. As we have been very, very lazy in updating this website, I will try and bring you up to speed on the developments on board of Helena since July quickly: The repairs in Cairns have gone well, the boat looks and feels great again. We had Eric en Maxine crew with us for 2 months. Boukje returned on board in the beginning of August. We sailed from Cairns, via Cooktown, Barrier Reef and Torres Strait to Darwin. In a couple of weeks we’ll leave Darwin to sail to Bali and Singapore.

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It took us three weeks of blood, sweat and tears to get the boat fixed and running again. But, we are on the move again. A short stop in Gizo ensured of us supplies for the next months or so and in Noro we took in enough fuel to motor through the Solomon and Coral Sea if we so please. For now however, we are happily cruising around the Solomon Islands for a bit. Read the rest of this entry »

We liked it there, in Australia. So, as our shipment of spare parts for the boat was delayed getting to the Solomons, we decided to stay a bit longer. That gave us time to see some more of this country, meet some real Aussies and go looking for ‘wild’ koalas.

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For the first time in months we’re not trying to outrun the cyclone season. Since leaving Honiara for the Western Province of the Solomons, we’ve reached safe sailing grounds. So we are slowing down here. Taking our time to enjoy the beautiful nature on these islands, to meet the very friendly people, to explore the underwater worlds and to do just not that much. Read the rest of this entry »