On the 15th May Jessica Watson, aboard her iconic 34 ft yacht will sail into Sydney Harbour to a hero’s welcome. As the youngest person to sail around the world Jessica Watson’s voyage on Ella's Pink Lady is a reminder to any seasoned traveller of the highs and lows that are part and parcel of great adventure.
Even if you’ve never left your home town Jessica’s round the world story isn’t just about travelling, it’s about allowing yourself to dream and dream big, then having the courage to know that it can be realised. Jessica is only days away from turning 17 which makes her a Taurian, and in the astrological world she bears characteristics of being calm, fearless and generally focused. Without question Jessica has all of these qualities; qualities that have served her well as she faced high seas, bad weather and negative publicity. Jessica dream of being the youngest person to sail around the world, non stop and unassisted is now a reality. Having been away at sea for nearly seven months Jessica still isn’t sick of it, but she is looking forward to a toilet that flushes. I’m sure you can relate to Miss Watson’s experience in some form; think of family camping trips, boys weekends away, what is it with boys and toilet paper? Or perhaps like myself you’ve have the pleasure of squatting it bush style, in the contraptions and corners that they classify a toilet. Let’s face it, regardless of where you’ve had toilet issues we all the convenience of the luxurious Australian dunny. As Australian’s there’s also something else we love, and that’s a brush with some form of authority, police, customs, airport officials, flight attendants, parking inspectors, bring it on!
Even when your sailing around the world in a pink number that sails be warned, Customs are never far. Jessica had her own surprise visit from Customs, not Sea Patrol style, but in a plane! On a routine flight they dropped in to say hello to Jess, but not without an official word of warning; to ensure that she checks into the appropriate authorities once she arrives in Sydney. Again, a brush with authority in the strangest sense, considering she hasn’t stopped anywhere. None the less, brushes with authority bring out our Australian larrikin nature; just tune into your local radio station to hear tales of Australian airport stories, rides home in the paddy wagon and other overseas adventures you might have had of your own in attracting the interest of customs, for whatever reason that might be.
Aside from the fun, frivolous and some times frightening stories that travelling brings; it does have a certain place and purpose, amongst all of us. Whether you get away once a year to ‘the’ ultimate camping spot, or you’ve come to know the personal stories of cabin crew on your favourite airline, or you are achieving that dream of the ultimate gap year, each opportunity to travel away still gives you that space, time and freedom to be and become. With these magical ingredients great things can eventuate, and that’s the time and opportunity to dream, and as we’ve all learnt from young Jessica Watson on board Ella’s Pink Lady, dreams can become a reality.
