----- Original Message ----- From: Wes Boyd <boydwe_at_dmci.net> Sent: Tuesday, February 13, 2001 3:33 PM Subject: [Paddlewise] Big Trip Dreams > Where do you go? What would you do? Why? Would you consider doing the trip > solo? How would you organize the trip? Handle supplies? What boat would you > want? Well, well, dreams ... Thereīs many dreams that sound impossible to me now, some because of the time, some because of the costs, others for the permits ... One place Iīve always dreamed to kayak is Antarctica, the white continent. I also dream with the circumnavigation of Tierra del Fuego ( Fireland ) island, or navigate the southern Chilean fiords, most of them still unknown ... But if I had a couple of years Iīll join Buenos Aires with New York. And donīt forget the Falklands .... About doing it solo or not, I donīt know. Travelling solo is fine as you donīt have to negotiate what to do or where to go. But you are alone, and maybe the best of travelling is having someone to share you're experiences. So I think Iīll try to find a partner, but if I canīt get anyone Iīll do it solo anyway. Iīll kayak my Shark, my personal version of the Nordkap. I still couldīt find other design more seaworthy that I can trust, but my knowledge is very limited as none of the known brands are sold in Argentina, so the only other kayaks I had the chance to experience are an old CHINOOK ( Aquaterra ), a SEA LION (Perception) and an ICEFLOE (Derek Hutchinson's). Cargo space is limited to a couple of weeks so this may be a mayor concern. Depending on the kind of trip I should need to do it first with a motor boat or car or whatever fast media to drop food, water, and some dry cloth in some strategic points. But this is not always necessary as many times you find towns and villages where to buy. I donīt think I would like to rely only on my fishing and hunting abilities. Dreams are dreams but we must never lose the hope to make them true some time. A couple of years ago I contacted Craig Adison and Dave Evans, from the BCU Sea Touring Comitee, and invited the to co-organize an international sea-kayak meeting in the Falklands. I loved the idea that two nations formerly in war, could friendly meet 10 years later in the same battlefield to share the sport they have in common, so turning the battlefield in a playground and have fun. Sovereignty and Politics would never be mentioned, and everybody will show respect to the islanders, because it is clear this is their home where we'll be hosted. One of the major objectives was to donate at least 10 complete kayak equipments to the island so they can go on developing the sport once we leave. They loved the idea too and all of us started to look for support. They contacted their Foreign Office, as Argentinean still needed a special visa to visit the islands. I did the same with my government looking for free transportation to the islands ( My idea was to receive kayakers from all around the world in Buenos Aires and then travel all together to the islands on a cargo plane ). Unfortunately both governments were more concerned on sovereignty than in human feelings, so they didnīt show any positive about the idea. I also invited Axel Mohr from Germany. He was very exited with the idea and gently offered his help, even referred me to many contacts in Germany and Great Britain. But unfortunately my lack of time and money, and some personal problems that required all my energy, forced me to abandon this plans. But I still have the hope that one day weīll do it, because it can be done with the proper time, money, and effort, and I know its a good idea, and I already found some partners around the globe to make it true, and Iīm sure there's still many more to be contacted. Because in my dream, this is not done under any flag or any name other than the international seakayak community. I count on all of you when that day come ... Nice dreams to you all, and thank you Wes for let me feel my blood rushing again ! Best regards ! Fernando Lopez Arbarello Kayak Argentina - Sea Kayaking Mailing List www.topica.com/lists/kayak_argentina kayak_argentina_at_uol.com.ar *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************Received on Fri Feb 16 2001 - 13:23:23 PST
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