Date:
15 March 2010
Position: Marina
Da Gloria, Rio
De Janeiro
- 22:55.16S
045:10.19W
Just after the Downstairs Skipper and I got married –
only 31 years ago, but what seems like a lifetime – I was taken by her to meet
the outlaws in Buenos Aires. On the
way, we stopped over at Rio de
Janeiro. I was captivated. Overlooked by the massive
figure of Cristo Redentor, arms outstretched atop the
Corcovado, planted amongst verdant mountains and
surrounded by spectacular beaches with the evocative names of Copacabana and
Ipanema, the entrance to one of the most beautiful island-dotted harbours of the
world is dominated by the Pão de Açúcar, Sugarloaf
Mountain. It is indescribably beautiful. I dreamed that one day I
would sail my own yacht into Rio de
Janeiro, the Cidade Maravilhosa – the
Marvelous
City. But it was a pipe-dream. One of
those unachievable ambitions, it was the unreachable star.
But today, that dream came true. With tears in my eyes
(really) with my best friend, wife and DS (all the same person) at my side,
accompanied once again by Andy Williams belting out The Impossible Dream, Mina2
sailed my dream into reality as we coasted into Rio harbour.