Deckhand diary July 11th  (Excerpts)

Latitude 19, east of Hainan Dao. We are getting closer to China. Right now not in many knots, but there are other signs in abundance. In the morning a beautiful moon, just as red as one would expect over the Middle Kingdom. Our slow path to the north motivated the setting of topgallant sails, main staysail and mizzen staysail already before the sun had crept over the horizon.

The Chinese series of lectures went into its second day when three lecturers from our Chinese team of journalists told us about traditional music and poetry, taught us som useful words and even made us sing a Chinese folk song. It is fantastic to have this resource on board, a whole lot of well-informed and enthusiastic Chinese who are more than willing to introduce their country to us. (...) To them this is a meeting between two worlds, an arrival full of symbolism. And they want to share, to tell us how important this is.

This is indeed a meeting between two different cultures. Where are those who would help in this meeting? Unfortunately not on board. It is lucky that our Chinese guests are building bridges in their way. This night the dinner was enriched by lao bing, something best described as a pizza with a spring roll taste. There were two pieces for each of us, since one piece only would have meant bad luck, according to the temporary chefs. As a temporary kitchen assistant I had a nice and different evening in the galley among all the Chinese who were eating and listening to Chinese punk music. At my side was my colleague Karin Gafvelin who is very good at Chinese, and that was my luck.

Karin Modigh,
midship watch

 
Officer diary July 11th  (Excerpts)

We are closing in. We have now travelled more than 20,000 nautical miles across the oceans, nearly all of that distance under sail. Today there are only about 200 nautical miles left to China. We are now on the other side of the earth from Sweden and it is just our own stubbornness and the winds that have taken us here. It feels a bit tempting to celebrate in advance, but I think I shall wait. Wednesday morning, if the winds are benevolent, it could be possible to see the coastline of China. Wonder where I´ll be? Perhaps right up the top of the main mast?
 
Every day during this journey I have taken a turn to the navigation room, to see the distance to China shrink. And now we are almost there. Do you understand? Perhaps. Do I understand? I hardly think so. To me and the others who have been engaged in this project since the early 90´s, this was the gaol. To build a ship as historically correct as possible and sail her to China. It was an easy decision then, but what about the rest?

I would like to conclude this little diary by whining about the heat. (...) But it may be hot as hell, the vacuum toilets may explode, the fresh water taste of salt and the whole crew stink! As long as we get to China!

Björn Ahlander,
rigging responsible and now also boatswain