This voyage has been a cornucopia of unexpected blessings. I did not expect to find the people in Mexico and Polynesia to be so amazingly generous and heartwarming and serene. I did not expect the experience of diving with hundreds of sharks, I did not expect the gripping beauty of the islands-this list goes on but the one truly wonderful and unexpected blessing has been getting to know so many outstanding young people.

The Pacific is full of young single handlers, crews on bigger boats and the boat hitch- hikers phenomena I had not heard of but is prevalent. These kids are all brave, adventuresome, independent, interesting, curious, and exceedingly polite and a joy to be with. They are the first to bridge the generation gap; they are not bound by age or nationality. When they come to me it is with respect and courtesy yet on their own terms.

On one of the shark dives with four kids one of the new comers was asking about me and made the comment, wow, you are my parents age. Rikke, who had spent al lot of time with me by then, patted him on the shoulder and said, He hears that al lot.

For the last several weeks I have had the pleasure of having two amazing young girls from Slovenia aboard. This has been an experience so far beyond my expectations that it will stay with me forever.

The two of them form a unit that is bound on so many levels. They move together, sing together, speak strange tongues together and act as a school of fish in their unity.

They both have a passion to learn and are extraordinarily inquisitive and quick to learn. I have yet to see anyone on the boat learn so fast. They have mastered and perform tasks at an alarming rate. I have grown to trust them at these tasks and although I keep a watchful eye, let them have at most of the things that must be done on the boat.

After a while I started to see the individuals, two distinct personalities and two very distinct ways of traversing lifes paths.

Lucka is the easiest to get to know, no hidden secrets, no subtle innuendos she is more like me in her wide open, this is me take it or leave it stance. You always know where you stand with Lucka. Lucka takes no prisoners, when she is not happy with you, you know it and her charm is so over whelming that even a tough old codger like me takes notice.

Ahh but when she connects to you it is with intensity that I have not experienced and have grown to cherish. We sit up late and ponder the world for hours, we tease, we laugh and laugh and laugh, we delve into the depths of my soul, into places I have not dared to tread.

Lucka has a classic beauty that transcends the ages, her piercing eyes grip you and then send you laughing as she goes from teacher to jester. As I write this I see her long gorgeous toned body gliding through the water a sight to behold.

It has taken a bit longer to know Urska but now I have begun to unlock the secrets it is like opening the doors to a new world. At first I described being with Urska as walking into a room full of butterflies. I was panicked that I would scare or hurt them and felt uneasy around her. Her take your breath away beauty was disarming to me. I still find myself in awe and at least once a day find myself staring and just going wow! but now see the beauty as deeper and more radiant with the knowledge of who she is.

Urska defines the word sweet. Not a mamsy pamsy sweet like a soft crushable kitty and not a sweetness that can be discarded like a Hallmark card. Her sweetness has a punch, it is strong and it is demanding.

I have wanted to write this for days but did not have the adequate description until it hit mewhile listening to my favorite music. Anyone who knows me knows this does not come lightly; Urska is sweet like Jerry Garcias guitar. They both pick you up, make you dance and bring a joy not found in many places. They both make you want to get the most out of life; they both demand focus and open new doors. They both make you glad you are alive here and now. They both force you to go one step higher.

Together and as individuals they have had a profound effect on me. They simply make me want to be a better person. They make me want to learn, grow and lovea kick in the ass I needed.

From the time in Mexico to the first landing in the Marquesas Islands and now with these two amazing ladies, I have been drawn to young traveling people and them to me. Not being one who usually hangs out with or even likes younger people I ponder this twist of fate. Maybe it is just that I am single and the only single folks out here are a generation behind me, maybe it is that I tend to be very active and only youngsters can keep up. Ahh but I think it is the hand of the good Lord ushering them into my life to teach me great thingshe does that you know.