Au Revoir Cape Town - Until Next Time
Photos Courtesy of Charnell Timms
Sorry for the delay in getting a post out. Zac was furiously running around his last few days in Cape Town with a mixture of errands and boat chores and farewells to new South African friends. He pulled out of Cape Town Harbor on Tuesday under the 10:45am swing bridge. He had a steady breeze in the bay and took some nice film and photo shots of his favorite town to date.
As his time zone is 10 hours ahead of us we planned for him to give me his blog post this morning, that is until he realized his sat phone charger had melted away inside. With 2 bars of power left on the phone, we will talk only very briefly once a day to get his position and pass any urgent info that is needed. On board email has been intermittant though he will work on establishing that on his long passage to St. Helena Island. The passage north and west up through the Atlantic is a bit over 1500 miles and should take between 12-15 days. He has had some annoying head winds today but the Clearpoint Weather forecast shows the winds beginning to swing around to it's normal south, south westerly and then south easterly direction as I type.
Zac has been extremely upbeat and happy from his long, restful stay in South Africa. He was consistantly amazed at the kindness and generosity of the South African people. Bloggers Alex Van Heerden and Jill Adkins both brought Zac care packages of both South African and American foods for his trip. Erik Bjerring and his crew at Wiltel Marine were always on call for advice in the marine and tourist realm. And of course the Johnson family - Richard, Kathy, Seth and Jed have become the best of friends with Zac and Laurence.
Jen (onboard Intrepid), Zac and blogger Jill Adkins
One of Zac's sponsors, Produce For Kids, arranged for a top nutritionist, Dave Grotto of 101 Foods That Could Save Your Life! renown to advise him on all of his nutritional needs including caloric intake, protein, carbs etc. We haven't talked much about the folks at PFK along Zac's journey but they have been a guiding force and support along the way, checking in with us regarding Zac's health and fitness. You and your kids can check out their web site at http://www.produceforkids.org/. My younger kids go on their site at least twice a week and play some of the many educational games that are found there. Zac will be doing some public speaking on their behalf upon his return to encourage healthy eating and lifestyles in kids.
Perhaps some of you die hard blog followers will be wondering from this blog's photos what has happened to Zac's hair. Yes, he had it cut! (Photos to follow from Jen) It got to be so annoying that practicality won out over the plan to leave it uncut for the entire voyage. It is nice to be able to see his face again, no? Special note to Bill Mann: I did ask Zac to gather his hair for you to sell for your retirement on ebay but he was quite embarrassed at the thought. I then asked Jen if she would do it and met with a similiar response! I have not asked yet whether or not the clippings were gathered but will let you know...
Other news is a small bit of rerouting. Zac will likely pass on Trinidad & Tobago and head instead to the nearby island of Grenada. This stop is some 3700 miles from St Helena Island and will be his longest passage to date. Though the sea is not as tempestuous in the Atlantic this time of year as say the Indian Ocean, the mental challenge on this leg will definitely stretch him.
He has his book to work on and some schoolwork so it will be interesting to see how he passes his time. From the Carribean he will head north and west to the Panama Canal and then back into our own Pacific for the trip north and home.
We should be having some changes on the main web site http://www.zacsunderland.com/ in the next weeks. If there is anything you all would like to see there we would love to know.
That is all for now. Hopefully I will get Zac's last days update via email soon. Otherwise I will keep you all posted with what news I have for the next few weeks.
Cheers,
Marianne
Zac with Mike Perham onboard Intrepid
posted by Zac at
8:53 AM
30 Comments:
Zak: God's Speed to you & Intrepid. May the seas be calm and winds nice & steady.
Jeff
MDR via Santa Clarita
Thanks for the update and photos Marianne. Zac looks extrememly happy and well rested.
I didn't really note his haircut until you mentioned it. Fortunately he didn't take a whole lot off. As women, we know that it's good to take off a few inches to keep it healthy and growing! We know that Bill Mann will be thrilled :)
It sounds as though Zac has found a second home in Cape Town. He most certainly make his way back someday. The kindness of the people that Zac has met is so heartwarming. I'm especially happy that he has met the acquaintance of some of the bloggers. That's so special.
Am a bit concerned about the sat phone charger situation, particularly since he'll be at sea for 12-15 days. As I glance up from my desk at my trusty Replogle globe, I ask that God keep him in his care.
Well, away we go! The adventure continues as we follow in Zac's wake.
Best wishes to all of the Sunderlands and a special thanks to Jen and the others for the wonderful photos of Zac's Cape Town stay.
Hi Marianne,
Thanks for the great post and photos. We've been thinking of Zac and wondering if he had shoved off. The picture of he and Mike is heartwarming. I hope they will be life long friends. I wonder if Mike watched him leave. We'll be praying for health, happiness and safety everyday.
BTW - thanks for the educational games site on PFK. I'll get my kids right on it !!
Maureen
Boise
HE GOT HIS HAIR CUT!!! I couldn't believe that I didn't notice until you mentioned it in the blog. I always commented on his hair being so long in every picture I saw and the one time it changed I didn't comprehend it at all. LOL! Anyway, Good luck to Zack and I'll be praying for his safe arrival at St. Helena.
Hey Zac,
I just had to comment to say I ♥LOVE♥ the new picture of you and Mike and I'm so glad he had an opportunity to meet the 'Intrepid.' You two are almost as handsome as my boys. O.K., maybe I'm partial!
I wish you a safe passage to St. Helena.
Thank you to Marianne for the update and the photos; and thank you to all the folks who made Capetown Zac's favorite 'town' so far!!!
Namaste ♫ ♫ ♫
Marianne...thank you for all this wonderful news and the photographs....you do a great job of sharing your son with us...thank you. It is such a privilege to be a part of the Zac Pac.
I will be praying for Zac and this next leg...so glad that he is upbeat and that the stay in Cape Town was such a winner!
Don't you just love the words...'From the Carribean he will head north and west to the Panama Canal and then back into our own Pacific for the trip north and home.'
So exciting.
I'm with Melanie..I didn't notice the haircut!!!
Nice to see Jen sitting in Intrepid!
UK friend
Wow, finally in the Atlantic heading to the ditch for the Pacific... man.... This is coming to a closure toooooo fast! I’m sure mom vehemently disagrees! [laughing]
Skipper asks me what I'll do late at night when he hits MDR... Work on a new book I presume, which I'm drafting now, but I'll cherish this adventure we've all been on for the rest of my life....
Thanks to the Sunderlands and all these great sponsors and supporters and to the bloggers that add color to the story with their words, praises and of course so many questions (and some bloggers with the occasional dig that break us out of our fantasy lala spell)
Daveh & Skipper
dave@davehickson.com
I couldn't believe how Zac could endure long hair while sailing! Looks great!
Swift passage and fair winds,
Manon
Vermont.
Awesome piacs. Crysta clear and natural :-) love the one of Zac and Mike. Man, phew...wow...jeeze, thank god they both finally got a bit of color, sun tan. Strangest thing watching them both sailing in the middle of the oceans, rocking up at ports pale as ghosts :-)
Dudes stick your heads out in the son one in a while. You're scaring the boat cruise people who are starting to think the long hard saved up vacations amount to sailing around weeks on end in sunless days :-)
Jen my dear, got to wonder what is up with your camera?? Look at these pics vs yours, crystal clear vs. over abundance of color in yours. Is it the camera or is it an effect you are aiming for an "artsy" effect? I don't think it is compatible with recording such real life endeavors and places :-( one needs acurate real life like representations.
Otherwise cool :-)
Marianne,
Thanks for the great post and photos.
Zac, I'm sure it was difficult leaving Cape Town and all your wonderful newfound friends. Glad you had a great time. We'll be praying for your safe journey to St. Helena.
Godspeed,
Dick & Gin
Congrats Zac. My apologies to everyone for my long delay. 2 1/2 weeks of Jury Duty, on top of my other problems has done me in.
Tomorrow I am going to be reincarnated into a functional person again.
Bill Mann
If Zac's sat phone runs out of power can he reach you or hams on his SSB radio to keep in touch?
Marianne:
Thanks! We needed that. So many days without a post. Yes, we know and agree that preparations for the St. Helena leg are top priority, but .... withdrawal, you know.
I was thinking of you, dear lady, as I read the post. Somehow I was inside your head when you noted that soon Zac would reach the Pacific and turn right towards home. I admit to misting up a bit thinking what those words must mean to you, Laurence, and Zac's gaggle of home-bound hero worshipers! Yaaaa!
@ Bill Mann: Bill, give Zac a break. I think that his hair is still as long or longer than it was when you started to ... ahen ... comment. Give the boy a break, He's still 17 and experimenting with his "looks". You do remember that phase, don't you? There's no need for him to look like a Marine recruit on the second day of boot camp. Welcome back. Your absence was noted and you were missed on the board.
@ Everyone in Cape Town: Zac's blogs have made a believer of me. You folks have been beyond any expectations of hospitality during his visit there. I've heard that it was a nice place, but nothing has brought it home so obviously and strongly. On behalf of all Zac-Packers, Thank You!
@ Jen and all who contributed photos: Please do not think for a minute that Mr./Ms. Anonymous speaks for all of us following this adventure. All the pictures are fantastic and appreciated very much. Besides, what's wrong with arty? Maybe that person should stick with illustrated magazines from the early 1900s or earlier. Must be a fan of Matthew Brady. I am, too, but let's face it. That technology is 150 years old.
The soap box has now been put away.
The Croaker
I agree with Croaker of the Pond, Jen's photo's are amazing...
Also, is her time and expense she's endured to capture them...
Daveh & Skipper
dave@davehickson.com
Good to see Mike and Zac together. I didn't recognise Mike - his hair's grown.
Hello All,
It sounds like Zac really enjoyed his stay in SA and made some really great friends.
A big THANK YOU to Jen who has come through with some great pictures. I really appreciate looking at all your pictures. I'm sure we'll see many more sometime in the very near future. You have an amazing talent capturing Zac on pictures, Great Job.
So your sailing again Zac? I'm sure it's going to take a little while to get into the groove again being on land for so long. I know you'll miss everyone in SA but the trip home must continue. It's been a while since I closed with this ending below!!!
Sail On,
Douglas Pistone
MDR, California
Marianne,
Thanks for the update. I bet Zac will have a tough week transitioning back to sailing after such a good visit. I didn't connect that Zac had gotten a hair cut but did notice that I could see his face really well.
Fair Seas!
SteveB
Birmingham, AL
Marianne,
Thanks for updating us and posting the great photos. Your heart must be warm knowing that Zac is on his way home.
Jen,
Your photos are always fantastic and help us all to see the beauty of this wonderful world that Zac is experiencing!
Zac,
So happy to hear you are under way again and have lots of good food to keep you energized. Sorry to hear about your phone charger, hope you have other means of communication as asked by a previous blogger.
Stay Safe.
Mona
Tucson, AZ
Thanks so much Marianne for the update, and to everyone who has shared their pictures with us – all have been wonderful and add so much for us watching this from afar. Too bad about the communications problems – it is nice to get an actual Zac update, but hearing from Marianne & Lawrence in the interims has also added unique perspectives that we wouldn’t have otherwise. So great that Zac got to enjoy Cape Town and get some good fun and rest in along with the hard work at repairs and provisioning. I am still in awe of the encounter with both Mike Perham and Minoru Saito… incredible. And working on his book – yeah! I cannot wait for that! Are there any other deals in the works, TV/movie/etc.?
Marianne -- Do you have an address for a future port that we can send letters/packages to Zac? Too late for St Helena, I presume, anything else along the way?
In my thoughts & prayers. Peace, Your Oklahoma Well-Wisher
hello all----- MA thanks for the wonderful post ---- zac has been truly blessed on his journey --particularly so in CT. as always, he is in our prayers for a safe and 'wide eyed' filled adventure. btw ---- when i was zac's age (and had hair like zac)my barber always told me that the sign of a great haircut is when no one can tell that anything had been cut at all!!!!
john baker/w hollywood/ca/USofA
jbaker1226@aol.com
Hi Zac,
bon voyage! Have a good trip to St. Helena.
The broken sat phone charger is really a problem. How long will the battery pack you have last? Though I don't know much about St. Helena, I doubt that you can get a replacement for the charger on this small island in the middle of the Atlantic. Let's hope that you can get email working. Then you can relay your coordinates (and blog entries :-) via email and save the battery for special occasions.
The long stay in Cape Town with all the special meetings (I guess that's why they also call it Tavern of the Seas) must have been special, but I guess (and hope) that you were now also eager to get on sailing again "to explore new strange harbors, to seek out new ways of life and other civilizations" (slightly change quote from ??? Anyone?)
And Mike was on the Intrepid. Neither of you has written about that. And did Saito-san see your boat, too? So many questions. I hope you make a book out of your journey so that we can get all the answers.
Fair winds and following seas!
RK
and
Marianne,
thanks for keeping us up to date.
Ahoy Zac,
On your post of 13 February you mentioned that Minoru Saito was to continue his trip heading East.
Do you know if he'll be sailing along with Mike Perham? I thought he was heading east to round the horn?
Grant
Thank you, Marianne. Fair winds and following seas, Cap'n!
Wondering why Zac can't go from St Helena to Salvador Brazil or someplace then up the coast. It looks like SUCH A LONG TRIP from Helena to Grenada. Can't he just go straight west?
Well, you guys know best. BLESSINGS in the midst - of the ocean or at home.
LA in MN
Thank you Marianne for the great post. So glad to see Zac's face again and the photo with Mike is really nice. Glad to hear that Intrepid is back at sea. May there be fair winds for both Zac and Mike.
Will be praying for Zac's long stretch. May God's Word do a might work to encourage him.
Kathy
Bend, OR
Thank you Marianne,
Your post put a smile on my face, and a prayer of thanks to God.
I agree with Daveh, it seems this adventure is going too fast!!!! :) I too will have to resume some sort of life after Zac is safely back home....but then again there is the book to look forward to!! I'd like mine signed by the autor please :) LOL!!
@ The Croaker: 100% with you on Jen's photos!!!
@ Bill Mann: good to see you back. hopefully your reincarnation goes smoothly :)
Zac: fair winds and following seas young man! You've come so far and been blessed so many times, such an awesome adventure!
May blessings, God's angels are about you.
Hugs,
Anita Miracle
Waterloo, NY
Captain SV Wombat
Marianne thanks for the update and Jen we love ALL YOUR the photos.
Wow nice hair cut!!!
After a harrowing journey across the Indian Ocean and around the Cape it was ordainded that Zac would enjoy CT. I am sure that you have made relationships for life.
@BillM Welcome Back. Sharpen your scissors, he is still a long way from home and I doubt he will have another haircut before MDR
Homeward Bound!!!! Praying for a safe trip to St Helena and on to Grenada, where you can get to taste flying fish ( yes!! it is delicious and eaten by all the islands in the Southern Caribbean)
Prayers and Hugs
Sherna
Cool post, love the haircut!!! needed it. Must be hard to leave, hang in there, Good luck fair winds zac!
Anna
@Zac Pacer's
There is no need to get all out of shape about critique of Jen's photos. I am sure that she has attended some art classes and knows that art is all about critique. Artists take the good with the bad, the positive with the negative - that is what creating is all about and they teach you that in any art school. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and Jen should be able to accept all critiques. I am sure she is along for the ride - no matter what. Chillax Zac Pac-ers - you tend to get so out of shape about critique. Try not to get so out of shape about it.
Zac!....You cut your hair!!!! It looks good! and must feel light and airy...LOL!!
Nice to know that you are back in the water again....so, the adventure continues...Also glad you had a great time in Cape Town....lots of memories to run thru your head while you're out on the ocean.
Jen does such a nice job photographing you and Intrepid...I for one absoulutely LOVE her pics.
Your circumnavigation of the globe is awesome and I thank you again for taking us along with you. Good thoughts going your way for a safe and adventurous sail to St. Helena.
Marianne, only a mom would think of the hair clippings....so, being a mom, I'd buy a clip or two from Zac...LOL!!!
Betty E. from Lomita, CA
Thanks for the informative article and nice photographs,I likes this very much.
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