The Five-Year Voyage. Exploring Latin American Coasts and Rivers
by Ladd, Stephen
pub Seekers Press., 938 E. 31st Street, Bremerton, Washington, 98310 USA, 2022 - -     -   isbn - 978-0-9669337-1-0 - - ISSN 2021-903105     - Contents p. 5-6 - - Acknowledgements - Further Reading p.382-383 - - Picture credits p. 384 - - total 384 p.
This is the story of an American couple sailing, rowing, and motoring Thurston a Sea Pearl, modified to cruise from Florida to Argentina, and mostly back.
It includes coastal travel and much South American river travel.
They often spent longer times in many locations, not just passing through.
They made at least 2 trips home to USA having Thurston safely stored.
One of those times due to visa requirements having spent the longest time they could on
their first visa and needed to be away for months before a second visa could be acquired.
They often stayed to the limit of the visa they had in the country where they were.
They truly experienced where they traveled.
It also includes the birth of George, their first born child in Brazil, and traveling with him.
Their travels were coastal, often close in ducking in to bays and river mouths at night.
They were mostly comfortably successful coastal cruising and snorkeling on reefs watching fish.
Most of the South American travel was up and down rivers. They were very comfortable with river travel.
A minor amount of their travel was at sea. These sea sailing sessions were the most stressful for them.
This is much different from the experiences of most sailors, who are more relaxed at sea.
This is most likely due to the type of boat they were using, and the areas where they had more skill.
Realations with various authorities were discussed and were -interesting-.
The style of travel could not have been accomplished years earlier. The use of the internet and Google maps and aerial photography.
Financial affairs were much easier than earlier years. Now there are cash machines and international transactions are easier.
Being in contact with friends at home in USA was also easy.
Internet cafes and wifi which was often available in even small towns made communication easy, even sharing photos.
Chapters are
1. An Idea that would grow
2. South to the reefs
          Florida, Cuba, Mexico, Beliz
3. ... and Panama, still no motor
          Guatamala, Honduras, Hicaragua and Costa Rica
4. To Venezuela with a secret weapon
          The Caribbean coasts of Columbia and Venezuela with a Honda 2 HP
5. Up the Orinoco, down the Negro
          Amazonia via the Brazo Casiquiare connector
6. Up the Maderia, down the Paraguay
          Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay and Argentina
7. The Rio de la Plata
          Buenos Aires and Uruguay
8. Lets have him in Brazil
          George is born near Iguassu Falls
9. Up the Parana, down the Arguaia
          Back to the Amazon
10. Homward, Solo
          Out the mouth of the Amazon, through the Guyanas and Antilless
          capsize in the Dominican Republic
11. Lessons Learned
There are 10 good outline maps which show their route and progress.
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Stephen and his wife Ginny live in Washington State with George and their second child.
They are building another boat which might be involved in other adventures in the future. -

see also

Ladd, Stephen
      Three Years in a Twelve-Foot Boat - for his earlier travel when he sailed alone.

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~ 2022-05-11 ~

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