[av_one_full first min_height=” vertical_alignment=” space=” custom_margin=” margin=’0px’ padding=’0px’ border=” border_color=” radius=’0px’ background_color=” src=” background_position=’top left’ background_repeat=’no-repeat’ animation=” mobile_breaking=” mobile_display=”][/av_one_full]

[av_one_full first min_height=” vertical_alignment=” space=” custom_margin=” margin=’0px’ padding=’0px’ border=” border_color=” radius=’0px’ background_color=” src=” background_position=’top left’ background_repeat=’no-repeat’ animation=” mobile_breaking=” mobile_display=”][/av_one_full]

[av_one_fifth first min_height=” vertical_alignment=” space=” custom_margin=” margin=’0px’ padding=’0px’ border=” border_color=” radius=’0px’ background_color=” src=” background_position=’top left’ background_repeat=’no-repeat’ animation=” mobile_breaking=” mobile_display=”][/av_one_fifth]

[av_three_fifth min_height=” vertical_alignment=” space=” custom_margin=” margin=’0px’ padding=’0px’ border=” border_color=” radius=’0px’ background_color=” src=” background_position=’top left’ background_repeat=’no-repeat’ animation=” mobile_breaking=” mobile_display=”]
[av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” custom_class=” admin_preview_bg=”]
Sweating our guts away, we were getting thinner and thinner in that hot climate. On the other hand, the boat took some better shape. The local carpenters had to be convinced of our way of building. They would start with the keel and the whale, that would define the shape of the frames. We defined the frames from the lines plan on the loft table. Again, Mark´s stretched all his sketching skills but you don´t change centuries traditions overnight; they couldn´t see it. Only when the ribs where put together, they started to see our reasoning – a new horizon for them and how proud they felt !! We thought them reading the technical drawings, making simple sketches, calculating, English words, new construction methods and they thought us how to make the very practical handtools, PIC sharpen an adze on a stone, work with hardwoods – especially Itauba. Very interesting to see the interchange of knowledge ! After Henkie, the one and only who had the guts to start with us, his brothers quickly followed. Every week paid, normal hours and learning something was appealing even for the most stubborn carpenter ! Building was fun; we even managed to adjust the stem a little bit to allow for easier tacking later on. Building was going fine; the life around was a fantastic new world to inhale and many joyful moments. You see: following your dreams always easy but wasn´t that stupid !! We went in town, a trip of 2 busses and 3 hours later you were in town. Then we could get stores, pinga and food but also letters from home, a fax from Olivier (yes a fax! Who remembers??) and sometimes goodies via DHL. Then 3 hours back again, having a little party when arriving with all the goodies ! When life is simple, there is lots to celebrate !!

But on all fun comes and end…. At the end of 1994 we got worrying figures from Pirmin, our friend the accountant. It´s almost done guys… the piggy is skinnier then yourselfs ! Oh Oh…. Well, we knew the time would come, but so early; we just started ! Well ok, we took all pictures, wrote many plans, researched target groups, a plan for donations & friends of the Tocorimé. Packed it all in nice PowerPoint presentations, took a plane and off I went, back to Holland. Mark and Cale would stay on building until piggy’s bottom was scraped – then we would see again…
[/av_textblock]
[/av_three_fifth]

[av_one_fifth min_height=” vertical_alignment=” space=” custom_margin=” margin=’0px’ padding=’0px’ border=” border_color=” radius=’0px’ background_color=” src=” background_position=’top left’ background_repeat=’no-repeat’ animation=” mobile_breaking=” mobile_display=”][/av_one_fifth]