[pe2-image src=”http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8X78QubHePE/Us6F_Eu1FnI/AAAAAAAAZDE/81DYe4VjoSc/s144-c-o/PC230009.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/112133179186774955122/SouthAmericaSection3Stage17GuyanaSurinameFrGuianeGeorgetownToCayenne#5966853874960897650″ caption=”I was sewing at home neat thin neoprene pouches for all my electronics and valuables stored in the Aquapacs for protecting the well waterproof, but unfortunately not unpuncturable plastic. It also gives a good view, heat and sun protection.” type=”image” alt=”PC230009.JPG” ]

I hope you all had a Merry x-mas and am wishing you a Happy New Year!

I really enjoyed being home again, in my home, sweet home…what you only appreciate to have when you are away quite often and long. I am not even missing much my big old motor home which I sold at the beginning of this trip. No use for it during this time, it is not getting better from standing around three years, and when I am home I am home and am not keen to be on the road even for small trips.

I was diving also a bit back into my “real” work, updating on my x-mas shop and preparing the new season for my two ice cream shops, starting soon. But without my reliable managers and employees I wouldn’t be able to do my “second” job! Thanks to all of them, especially to Ilona, Andrea and Udo, to maintain my “home base” in such a great shape. Also thanks to Werner, my son’s father, to look after my house while I am away. The recent storms did quite some damage, but it could have been worse. Nothing compared to Cape Horn wind speeds…

I had to endure one big disappointment on this trip break – my partner Peter is unfortunately *not* able to join me again as planned long ago and looked forward to by both of us on this new leg. His clients and co-owners of his IT-company can’t really let him go, he has to keep on programming… but he will still be there for me behind the scene, as mental phone support and keeping all my “little machines” and websites running smoothly. What would I do without him? Thanks very much, Peter!

I also celebrated my son’s 18th birthday two days ago, my “little boy” is at last grown up! Time is passing by… and I am not getting younger either. But still young enough to keep on paddling for a few decades! 🙂

I am feeling like being thrown back again into a totally different world, jumping in a plane, being dropped into a different continent and climate. Sometimes I am wondering what’s all about… but I am amazingly still able to switch from *home mode* to *trip mode* again quite quickly.  And I am already looking forward to my summer break!

But first the flight, I got up at 3 am, sitting now at Hamburg airport, waiting for my flight via London, St. Lucia and Trinidad back to Georgetown. Ben, the German Consul, is again waiting there for me in the Cara Lodge to help me to get going again. Thanks, Ben!

The next leg will be again with continuous headwinds, counter currents, horrible heat and muddy coastline with dry ground hard to find. It would have been easier to bear with a partner, but for what’s it worth… it’s not really pleasant paddling, but another challenge for me to solve. Once past the Amazon, things will become a little easier regarding the counter current and muddy coast, but the headwinds will probably stay until the easternmost point of South America. But we’ll see…I’ll take what I’ll get!