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December 7, 2004
Montevideo, Uruguay.
The wind which carried us with such a good speed in the direction of Uruguay and permitted us to make record crossing, has unfortunately disappeared. The last two days we had to use our diesel for ten hours daily in order not to lose time in choppy sea but to sail to Montevideo at the beginning of week and to work efficiently.
We did not have any good wind during our last night in the Ocean as well. We used our engine up to three o'clock in the night, then we put our sails and at dawn we again started our engine. All these efforts allowed us to reach the harbour, where is located the Yacht Club Uruguay, at 11:45 (local time).
Mr. Gennady Kees and Mikael Sapizhuk, the Russian diplomats, had arrived very soon. We discussed with them the plans of our planned stay here. After the diplomats we were visited by the head of the Cofal Company – Viktor Trimbitsky – he will be responsible for our supply. Tomorrow we will have a meeting with our Russian Ambassador in Uruquay – Yan Burlyaj.
December 3, 2004
Rio De Janeiro.
...Dozens of yachts were swinging around our yacht. They belonged to the members of the elite yacht club Rio de Janeiro, to which mooring place we arrived late at night.
At first two Russian diplomats, meeting us – Alexander Nalyetov and Valery Kukharuk paid visit to the Commander of the Club to settle the questions with our stay. The yacht club Rio de Janeiro is a private and closed organization, only the members of the club are allowed to stay here. And the yacht "Apostol Andrey" is staying here for the second time. The commander of the yacht club received us very cordially and informed us what are the technical facilities of his marine and promised to provide all possible assistance. They told us that we did not need to pay any money for anchoring, as all yachts, going to the Antarctica can stay here free.
On Saturday there was a birthday of Sergey Zhukov, who was going to fly from Rio de Janeiro to Moscow. He invited all to the restaurant. Alexander Nalyetov made a very good present to Sergey – he organized a visit to the restaurant, which was visited by President Putin during his recent visit to Brazil. Sergey, who was very pleased, was sitting in the president's chair.
On Monday we finished all remaining work. Finally we came to the port to register officially a departure of our yacht. Now we were free and in the course of 72 hours we had to leave the harbour of Rio de Janeiro. It is curious to note, that in Russia after you register departure you have to clear out a mooring place in 72 seconds.
Yours sincerely
Nikolay Litau
14.12.2004
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