At the ferry terminal we quickly unpack our stuff and take it in turns to burn out the hand dryers in the toilets to get our socks and underwear dry. So many people think we are brave, setting off on bikes to travel around the world. If only they knew..........
Well, as it turns out, some of them do.
After checking in we are directed to the front of the queue outside where the cars and camper vans await the go ahead to board the ship. Freight is being loaded rapidly and we are all waiting on one side out of the way. We start chatting to Willemijn and Tom, who are in a small VW van, and who we met in the hold of the ship on the morning we all alighted here.
And then a man walks past carrying a plastic shopping bag. We are not sure if he's a passenger or not. He pauses, looks us over and then approaches. He quietly asks us a few questions, finds out what our plans are. When we mention Cuba his eyes light up. Oh, we'll like it there, he assures us. He's cycled there. He's cycled in many countries. His name is Steyn. "It means stone, in English." He pauses and reflects for what seems like an uncomfortably long moment. Then, looking right into our eyes, he says "You have chosen this life." We are struck deeply by this observation from a man who we have only just met. It's a comment that possibly says as much about him as it does about us. Or is it simply that he knows. He understands us. It's a very special moment for us.
The last couple of nights have been spent 'commando' camping in the town in shitty weather and left us feeling flat. Gayle isn't feeling well. We are outdoors so much and sometimes the outdoors is not a welcoming environment. We can't wait to board this ship so that we can shower and wash our sweaty clothes. And yet this is what we want. We want to be here. Steyn understands us.
Clearly he is barking mad too.
Well, as it turns out, some of them do.
After checking in we are directed to the front of the queue outside where the cars and camper vans await the go ahead to board the ship. Freight is being loaded rapidly and we are all waiting on one side out of the way. We start chatting to Willemijn and Tom, who are in a small VW van, and who we met in the hold of the ship on the morning we all alighted here.
And then a man walks past carrying a plastic shopping bag. We are not sure if he's a passenger or not. He pauses, looks us over and then approaches. He quietly asks us a few questions, finds out what our plans are. When we mention Cuba his eyes light up. Oh, we'll like it there, he assures us. He's cycled there. He's cycled in many countries. His name is Steyn. "It means stone, in English." He pauses and reflects for what seems like an uncomfortably long moment. Then, looking right into our eyes, he says "You have chosen this life." We are struck deeply by this observation from a man who we have only just met. It's a comment that possibly says as much about him as it does about us. Or is it simply that he knows. He understands us. It's a very special moment for us. 
Clearly he is barking mad too.
