there are sub-tropical penguins you can see without having to go by remote South America or Antarctica (pretty expensive jaunts, last time I looked, too)

Penguins live in the Galapagos, and (I think) around New Zealand...much friendlier destinations than coastal Antarctica, by any estimation...

-5.75,-4.05
"God gives men a brain and a penis, and only enough blood to run one at a time." -- Robin Williams

There is the South Atlantic Yacht race every year in January. Get a crew position. 63 days to the start of the '09 race, probably '10 would be a better target.

Here's the URL:

http://www.southatlanticrace.co.za/

Through africa? Anti-malarial pills & do not swim in fresh water north of the Reef (27 deg South). There used to be groups who travelled together overland from London to Joburg, company was called Adventure Overland.

Good luck

I like it. Have you considered taking a sailing course? My brother completed a week-long one this summer and already had an offer to crew a boat to the lower 48. There are opportunities like this all the time, where a captain will give you a place to stay and feed you in exchange for manning the vessel. I don't think this would be a very feasible way of getting around in the Indian Ocean because piracy is such a problem, but maybe when you're somewhere else it could be a worthwhile option.

I hope you're thinking about writing a book at some point, because I'd buy it. This is such an interesting time to be traveling with an open-ended itinerary.

Sean Paul,
Your blogging is at its best when you are on the road. Your posts and photos are extremely informative and wonderful.
Thank you,
Joaquin

"You have no respect for excessive authority or obsolete traditions. You're dangerous and depraved, and you ought to be taken outside and shot!" - Joseph Heller

neophytes for cruising. But no owner in his right mind would take on a newbie in a competitive race.

Sean-Paul, you appeared to enjoy your outing in a power vessel when you were in Singapore. Do yourself a favour and switch to sailing--much more environmentally friendly, uses no fuel except wind. It's really great being out on the water with only the sound of wind in the sails.

Until you gain competency, suggest you concentrate on cruising but if an owner is willing to train you in racing, jump at it. Yacht clubs usually need crews and are willing to train people, but from my experience that's at the local level and you wouldn't be welcome on a racing boat until such time as you're highly competent. There is an exception to every rule--if you weigh more than 300 pounds, you'd be welcome on fairly large and sometimes small racing boats, but limited to being movable ballast! :-)