It was 11 years and 3 days when we last dove into the waters of Bassas. We have been looking forward to making this our last atoll of the circumnavigation since we started our trip, and as we were going round the globe, told everyone of this amazing place. Luckily the weather played with us, and we could spend two days at this remote place.
What makes this atoll different to other atolls across the globe (which we have experienced) is the scale of the experience. The atoll diameter is longer, the fish are more enormous, the waves can get more gigantic, the anchorage is wilder, the closest distance to any humans is further, and you have it all to yourself! The good and the bad of this last statement, of course…
We had an amazing time, and again we were brought closer as a family by all the challenges we faced.
We had two anchors out, and as we were lifting the aft anchor, myself and Joop were on the dingy and the kids onboard. The waves were big enough as the wind was already blowing 18kts and we had the influence of the tidal stream leaving the atoll against the waves, so the sea was choppy and busy. As I looked back to Goody, I saw the two boys standing on the deck. The yacht was jumping everywhere, but they had their balance, after the years of practise, and Johannes was standing close to Dirk. But they were out there, looking at us.
Later on he said to me, he was afraid of our safety while they were on board alone. But they were there. The whole anchor exercise only lasted approximately 10 minutes (as we had done it before a few times during the last 5 years), but I was proud to see my two boys handle the challenge, and I realised I think they are ready to face the challenges of living on land.
We were very fortunate to have been given the opportunity to experience this amazing place again, and as Bassas was disappearing behind us, I said to Joop, now he may take me home, I am ready.