Letter No 3 sent on 31 July 2001 15:42
I got an SMS this morning into my mobile phone from a lonely hotel room in Tromsø saying: “REGN – REGN – KULING” meaning “RAIN – RAIN – GALE”. The kids and I stared at the display on the phone and then outside. “Well”, said Jonathan, “The sun is shining and no wind, here at least…”.
We needed to cheer up Karolina a bit, we thought. Jessica got the answer! We mailed back “KUL – KUL – KULING” meaning “GAY – GAY – GALE”. We pressed the send-button and hoped it would help also for future cold and wet night watches…
A couple of hours later Karolina called, just before leaving the hotel room to walk the 5 minutes down to Mahina Tiare III. She had already tested this walk several times, different ways and speeds simulating her luggage to find out how long it would take. So we know by now that the 5 minutes are well tested. Of course, she sounded very excited, but Jessica got a bit doubtful. “Mamma”, she asked after a while, “Do you really miss us?” – “Of, course, my dear!!” Karolina answered promptly. After a second Jessica replied “Well, I just thought…. Your voice sounds so happy!”.
And I can confirm that despite rain and gale winds, Karolina sounded very happy and was really looking forward to getting onboard Mahina and to say hello to everybody! By now, she must have been shown her berth where she will sleep and starting to get to know her fellow crew.
For you to get an impression of the complex archipelago with high mountains and huge fjords far north of the polar circle, I include i map of the surroundings of Tromsø
Capt. John Neal
