Indian Ocean: Durban. South Africa

11/22/07
I am being treated like a celebrity here in Durban. The ROYAL Natal Yacht Club has given me the best spot on their docks, font row center, and last night I gave my presentation in their Media Tent.

The Media Tent only had about 60 seats but over 100 people showed up for Standing Room Only at the back of the tent. There was a tremendous response and the evening went for 2 hours with questions and my answers. More than 2 dozen people came aboard my boat today, some interested in buying a new model, maybe even a Hunter now that they see how well they sail in Blue Water.

At the same time last evening, the mayor was giving his welcome speech to the Clipper-Round-the-World fleet in another Yacht Club, so the Clipper organizers have asked that I give another Encore presentation for their participants tonight. Of course I will.

The weather is atrocious at the moment with lightning and strong rains with SW winds over 30 knots. That is the direction I need to sail to get around the "Cape odf Good Hope" with Port Elizabeth my next stop at 300 miles.

I hope the weather changes by Saturday, then I'm off towards Cape Town.

11/23/07
Currently the most famous sailor is Sir Robin Knox-Johnston. He was the very first single-handed non-stop circumnavigator. This year, at age 68, he competed in the Single-Hand Around the World Race Vendee-Globe and placed in a respectable position.

Sir Robin heard about my venture and asked to come aboard WanderLust for a Look-See as he called it. Sir Robin's comment was, "Now this is the way to sail around the world".
Photo: Amateur-Novice Mike with Famous Sailor Sir Robin


11/27/07
The Famous East London Yacht Club shack in the lower left. I am rafted to 3 other sailboats heading around to Cape Town next week.

I am leaving today.

Mike Harker