COMMENTS FROM VISITORS BOOK ______________________________________ These are unedited comments from the Wallaby Creek visitors book. Most have a contact for you to verify or ask a reference. You have to also realize that Wallaby Creek is not the ordinary shiny plastic cruising boat; and Alan can be an unusual personality warped and twisted by years of happiness, good times and good companions and unfettered by normal conventions. So keep that in mind as you read..... October 2004 Greg Chinik - on with Will and Larry Barcelona to Gibraltar- I hope that I am remembered for more than I clogged the toilet a record of 4 times! But I did fix it myself 3 out of the 4 - I really appreciate you (Alan) fixing it the worst time though- I'll never forget the continuous stream of cuss words coming out of the head when you worked on it.- And the fact that you ultimately went overboard to fix it. When I get back maybe I'll put my mind to work on a better marine toilet! And to Nathalie - Thank you for your hard work keeping the boat in fine order and for being so tolerant with all of us guys. I wish you both the very best on this journey. PS: Note for the future crew: While on the boat I highly recommend the compulsory 2 apples and 1 banana a day diet that Alan put me on! Greg Chinik, 30 years young, Atlanta, Georgia, USA. gchinik@yahoo.com October 2004 Alan and Nathalie, thank you for one of the most memorable and enjoyable months of my life. Thanks especially to Alan for letting me know how big of a "poof" I am. (Even though I am not the one who wants to cut back to one bottle of rum a week.) I hope to return to Wallaby Creek again sometimes soon. PS: As cook of the worst meal of the month, I feel obliged to warn all future cooks not to skimp on the celery. Alan loves him celery. Will Witherspoon, Seattle, USA. capn_willy@hotmail.com July 2004 Genoa, Italy Un grand merci pour cette semaine passee en votre compagnie. Nous vous felicitons pour cette premiere partie de tour realisee en temps record et surtout pour Lisa: C'est toujours un grand plaisir d'etre en sa compagnie. Nous nous rejouissons beaucoup de vous revoir tout bientot en Suisse. And thanks a lot to the captain! Isabelle et Alain Semoroz, Switzerland July 2004 Read Sea to Genova - a most fruitworthy experience! Warm regards. John Metcalfe, 65 yo, Australia, gfmetcalfe@pnc.com.au July 2004 Anzio, Italy. La prochaine fois on ecrira plus c'est promis! Plein de bises. Pascale et Alessandro, France-Italie July 2004 Piraeus, Greece to Messina, Sicily. Italy Matt, Zach and Mike Thank you for the great experience! I had a great time seeing whole new contries I'll never get to see again.I also hope I get a chance to read the book too! Mike Murphy, 12 yo, USA Thanks for the change and the view. Can't wait to read the book. Matt Wolf. 24 yo, USA mwolf22@hotmail.com Greece to Italy proved to be a most adventurous and learning experience. Found ourselves neck deep with many sorts of native greasy Greek and pistol totting Sicilians. The boat proved her worth as did her permanent crew. Hope to see Wallaby and her crew again, sailing the world and living the dream. Zach Zindke, 24 yo, USA May-June 2004 El Gouna, Egypt to Piraeus, Greece Alan, Nathalie and Lisa: Thank you very much for a memorable two months. I will think of you and Wallaby Creek often -at least three times a day when bells summon me to my classroom and 31 kids. You have shown me that my dream of boat ownership and liveaboard cruising can become reality. You have obviously found the secret to a happy life and I have really appreciated your willingness to share it. Best wishes for a continued happy life and good sailing. Mark Evans, 52 yo, Australia mark411@ozemail.com.au March-May 2004 Djibouti to Port Said, Egypt Fish on the spear; fish on the bite; good compagny and not a nappy in sight; I guess we all could have done without me getting arrested at Marsa Themelet but that is just another story to tell so all is good. Thank you again Wallaby Creek. Till next. Henry, Australia henryw9@hotmail.com January-April 2004 Phuket, Thailand to El Gouna, Egypt Alan, Nathalie and Lisa, You have given me such inspiration to continue following the road less travelled. I can't possibly thank you for everything, but I can start. Thank you for sharing your home, your stories, your rum, and your sailing knowledge so freely. Thank you for keeping me entertained, for listening to all of my theories, for teaching me to spearfish, and for showing me the joy (and horrors) of having a baby. It is a shame I don't miss people because you would be worth missing. See you in the Carribean. You're all welcome to crew on my boat any time! Nathan Sady, 28 yo, Boston, USA natesady@hotmail.com January-March 2004 Phuket, Thailand to Port Sudan, Sudan Thank you Alan and Nathalie for an unforgettable experience. I'll always look back foundly at our time at sea and driving around on land with Alan in the car. I suspect our paths will cross again. Brent Charlebois, Canada tbrent@nucleus.com February 2004 Sri Lanka to Oman Excellent experience, unforgettable moments - shame God invented Canadians! - But will see you when "Yogi" goes home. Good winds shipmates! Marc Ducket, England February 2004 It was a great experience even if we missed all the places we planned to go! Daniel Balmer, 32 yo, Switzerland wallaby@daniels.ch Dec 03-January 2004 Thailand C'est la deuxieme fois que nous avons la chance, ta grand-mere et moi de passer nos vacances de fin d'annee avec vous trois a bord de Wallaby Creek. Nous avons a nouveau vu de magnifiques regions, pu nous baigner dans de belles criques aux eaux claires. Certes cela nous change beaucoup de notre vie habituelle mais c'est toujours avec un tres grand plaisir que nous venons a bord pour avoir le privilege de partager quelques semaines avec vous trois. Merci. Un merci particulier a papa qui a navigue dur pour nous amener a James Bond Island. Camille C'est avec et "pour" Lisa que j'ai decouvert les joies de la navigation. Petit a petit, je prends confiance grace a la dexterite du capitaine. J'admire les prouesses culinaires de Nathalie et decouvre la "formation" de caractere de Lisa. Au reveil de sa sieste de l'apres-midi, elle decide que c'est maman qui DOIT aller vers elle pour la porter!! Elle ne decolle PLUS de sa place et CRISE a en perdre le souffle pendant 10 minutes! Mother-in-law! November 2003 Thailand Safest journey on the rest of the trip. Moments can change lives - I've had 5 days of moments! Thanks! Geoff West, USA geoffisms@hotmail.com October 2003 Malaysia to Phuket, Thailand Thank you Alan and Nathalie for sharing your floating home with me. I've had a great time and wouldn't have want to miss any of it (except possibly Penang!) . Not a lot of real sailing but there was a lot of real learning about the harder side of travel on a sailing boat. No regrets and I will always remember the 5 weeks and the lessons I learnt. Bob Simpson, 50 yo, UK r.a.simpson@talk21.com (keep the tickets rolling in!) October 2003 This was my first sailing trip ever but certainly not my last...- I had a great time and hope to see you some time again! Thank you! Anna, 26 yo, Finland kickie@brevet.nu October 2003 Yippy Skippy! We made it, and sail without the engine, finally. The last month has been a great insight into the lifestyle of the floating gypsies. You guys can rest assure that you'll see me again, hell on high waters. PS: Remember US Yanks like guns, so be very careful next time we run into each other. Cody Blake, 23 yo, USA codyblake0@hotmail.com October 2003 Melacca To the Phillips Gang, I wish you all favorable winds and seas on your journey. I have learnt so much travelling with you even though for only a short time, it's been great. I hope to see you again when I embark on my sailing trip. Regards Ian Lenton, 30 yo, Australia Ian@barkads.com.au September 2003 Singapore Alan, Nathalie and Lisa: Like every island you anchored behind, every village you visit, each is different and special. So too is man - different and unique on account of his fancies and fears. Travelling with you has reconfirmed for me that the man who is driven by his fancies and not stalled by his fears is a free man! I wish you freedom and calm seas! Highest regards Owen, 26 yo, USA owengabrielson@yahoo.com September 2003 You're welcome any time in Romans or Corsica, the most beautiful island in the world! We'll let you know about the baby! Thanks again! As if a few words could relate those hours watching the sea, swimming among colourful fish, looking for sharks (still having seen them) or arguing with a true Aussie about things of life, or just hours spent laying in the sun letting our minds wandering...More than discovering this part of the world, new faces, new tastes (indian rotis..), new sceneries, that didn't even exist for us months ago, we have discovered your way of life, through your eye and your stories of travelling the world. Thank you for that! Elise et Dominique Hurbin, France, dominique@hurbin.com August 2003 Sandakan, Malaysia A second "visit" aboard Wallaby Creek and just as rewarding as the first - relaxed, fun, informative, interesting - Great being treated as one of the family - Hope to see you again - Best wishes Alan, Nathalie and Lisa Bob Brown, 60 yo, Tronto, Canada rebro41@hotmail.com Aug 2003 After 9 years, what a sight -Wallaby Creek came back to look for me where they had dropped me off. I am not sentimental but I nearly cried seeing Alan pull up in front of Tawau Yacht Club in Borneo as I own him the best thing I have ever done that is crewing on W.C. Likewise I could see Alan and crew nearly crying but for a very different reason -having had promised free beers ass day & night upon arrival the whole damn yacht club went up in flames within minutes after Wallaby Creek dropped anchor and with it all the cold beers were lost in front of their eyes. Again I have had the pleasure of sipping a rum cocktail in the cockpit while watching the sun set and the moon rise and even tho it was only a few days this time I felt as home on WC as I did all thos years back. THANX! I'll be back! Scorched earth policy. Cocktail hour 6 to dead . Jerry, Borneo a.ka. The Kraut, Last Mate, Lost crew borneo_tours@hotmail.com July 2003 Darwin-Bali What a great experience meeting the three of you and sharing your life on Wallaby Creek for a month. You are a lovely family and great sailors. I've got so many memories to take away with me. The best of everything for your voyage westwards....Happy sailing into the sunset and maybe see you again in the Med All my love Sandra, London, GB sandrabenet20@hotmail.com July 2003 Alan, Nathalie and Lisa you are a wonderful family. It was a great trip and I'll miss the sometimes soggy nights in the V-birth. I wish I could keep going but I'm sure Alan will say hello to all the " black bastards" for me! Best wishes and thank you so much! XOXO Meg, Annapolis, USA megalt@hotmail.com July 2003 Thank you Alan. Nathalie and Lisa for taking me into your floating home with such grace and patience. I had an amazing time and wish you all the best in your future journey around the world. I'd also like to thank the rest of the crew for all the good times. I am glad we met and hope to see you all in the future. Kyle Mc Mahon, BC, Canada kd_mcmahon@hotmail.com June 2003 Darwin-Bathurst and Merlville Islands I have probably learnt stuff all about sailing, caught next to no fish but I have had the best time with Alan, Nathalie and Lisa. They even said my cooking was OK, how polite. I fully expected to make everyone sick at least once. What I did learn is to take it easy and I think I have a new view of what is/isn't important in life. Thanks for sharing your life and your boat (home) over the last month. There was not a time I didn't feel " at home" with your kindness and hospitality. Now, the downside. I've discoverd a big taste for rum and Coke and want to go sailing on Wallaby Creek again. Stuff work!!! I 'm sure next time I see youthat Lisa will be telling Alan exactly what to do. She is an incredible little girl. Don't forget I am telling everyone about the croc wrestling and the one meter barra I caught.Nathalie you are the best cook! See you in Barbados! Alex, Sydney, Australia April-May 2003 Cairns to Darwin I came on Wallaby Creek with high expectations, and they were fulfilled. My personal confort zone has been considerably extended, and the experience has given me answers to so many questions that I had in my head - about life, about the value of relationships and about what I want my future in sailing to be. And that's without all the fun and adventures and great scenery!! And what adventures? Too numerous to mention but here are my top 13: 1-The thousands of nesting seabirds sitting on their eggs and flying around darkening the sky on Michealmas cay. 2-Snorkelling on the 20 m dropoff of pristine Pullen Reef in incredibly clear water, then losing the anchor in the middle of the night and driftingout of control. 3- Surviving a shark attackon Ribbon Reef#7after alan speard a large sweetlips I pointed out. 4-Getting bitten on the hand while feeding a giant cod at The Cod Hole. 5- Doing 70 miles at 7 kts downwind in 3-4 m waves, in 30-40 kts of wind, after leaving Lizard Is. 6- Finding the arboriginal painting on Bathurst Head. 7- Rounding Cape York, the northemost tip of the mainland. 8-Hooking and landing a bonze whaler shark at Booby Is, filleting it, then cooking and eating it. 9-Three days and five hours passage across hte Gulf of Carpenteria in idyllic days and moolit nights. 10- Being sucked through the hole in the wall at 10.6 kts then idyllic calm days in the Wessel Is. 11- The ruins of brittish settlement at Port Essington. 12-Being terrified when up Trepang Creek in the dinghy, by the biggest croc outside " Sweetheart" in the Darwin Museum. 13- The beauty of Alcaro Bay with a sting in the tail a croc submerged one metre of the beach making a play to snatch Lisa. Thank you Alan, Nathalie and Lisa for allowing me to sail on Wallaby Creek. Alan, I have the greatest respect for your sailing abilities, and your ability to take strangers on your boat, to live with them and provide a great experience. Keep up the good work. Grant Da Costa, Melbourne, Australia gdacosta@netspace.net.au April-May 2003 Alan what an experience this was for me. I will have memories to last a lifetime especially watching that monster croc go down the bank into the Trepang river. will thank you and have a great time sailing the open sea. The Tarzanian Coconut Kid , Tyson April-May 2003 Thanks for more fun and good adventures. Once again had a great time and hope to sail with you a 3rd time. Happy sailing, see you in Thailande!! Thanks, it was an interesting trip! Again good experience sailing with you. It's awsome. Peter&Koy, Thailand April 2003 Memories of lifetime are made of the best of people and friends, and have so many of each with Wallaby Creek. I will be back for more. John, USA Feb-Mars 2003 Barrier Reef QLD Australia The last two months went too quick. I really appreciate the opportunity to stay the extra month. I hope I have the chance to repay the hospitality. I've been infected with sailing bug it is like the malaria it will be my blood forever. so I am like Arnold Schwarzenegger "I'llbe back". Everytime I see a dolphin I will think about Alan, Nathalie and Lisa and the warm memories. I think you have it figured out - as Lily Tom said-"The trouble with the rat race is , even if you winyou are still a rat". Old greek saying- Only mountains never meet again- Peace, Love and Understanding Canadian Dave dave_cdn@hotmail.com Feb 2003 It was a big surprise. Seasickness sucks but the snorkeling and the fish and the islands and the great meals and the laughs out weight any disconfort. Would like to do another trip sometime in another part of the world. I imagine Lisa will be able to give me crap in french the next time I'm back and Alan will be using the "F" word less frequently. Thanks Nathalie for making me feel so confortable and your easy friendliness. Devra, Canada Feb 2003 Airlie Beach Alan, Nathalie and Lisa after months of planning and more emails than I care to think about I finnaly made it to Wallaby Creek. Thanks for a wonderful trip from Cairns to the Whitsundays. I particulary enjoyed some of the beautiful anchorages we found. The weather cooperatied at least for the first 4 weeks. The Great Barrier Reef is an experience I will never forget and all the fish Alan speared tasted great for lunch and dinners especially the $140/kg coral trout. The wind was steady, southeast which made us use the motor more than just pure sailing. The few problems we encountered were ingeneously solved by Alan. The food, ambiance, stories, and our interesting discussions will be memories that will be with me forever . Thanks for your hospitality and for making me feel part of the family. Lisa was a joy and she will most certainly grow up to be a great sailor with arborigeny feet if Alan could decide. Good luck on your trip around the world and I hope that I can join you for one of the legs. Keep on sailing! Ole Gilbo, Ohio, USA KGOJG@aol.com Sept-Oct 2002 Solomon Islands Alan, Nathalie and Lisa Thank you so much for allowing me into your home for the past 9 1/2 weeks. The experience has been truly rewarding for me. Adventure, laziness, sickness, daily chores....all wrapped up in one trip in a beautiful setting that few get to experience. The GOOD (Yanks) and the BAD (Aussies) combined to make a most memorable first for me ( both aboard and ocean sailing) while the Swiss as usual remain neutral. Happy sailing! I look forward to checking in with you from time to time to see how the trip around the world is going. Chris, Alabama, USA auhillbilly@yahoo.com Sept-Oct 2002 Thanks alan for giving me the right vocabulary to deal with a lazy crew. Learning a lot on the trip to help me I ever get off my butt and sail my baot in Hawai to somewhere else .Like that say your crew will be stronger at the end of the trip than the start cause whatever doesn't kill you make you stronger. Luck on your round the the world sail. May see you again. JB, Hawai Sept-Oct 2002 Thanks to Alan, Nathalie and Lisa for the experience and provinding the opportunity to sail with you. 2 months later I am leaving the boat all the better for it. alan's casual approach to the whole thing is a good way to go I think we are all leaving the boat relaxed and happy. Good luck and stay real (as you are). John Kewley, Australia Sept-Oct 2002 Thank you Alan, Nathalie and Lisa and Wallaby Creek for letting me share such an interesting and stimulating different sailing venture. We all had our moments and our highs and lows during our two months together. But I know our experience of living and of life was enriched. I hope you continue to have fair sailing and lots of fun.Cheers. Philip Westlake, NSW, Australia westal@idx.com.au October 2002 Thanks to Alan, Nathalie, Lisa for the experience and providing the opportunity to sail with you. 2 months later I am leaving the boat all the better for it. October 2002 Thank you Alan,Nathalie, Lisa and Wallaby Creek for letting me share such an interesting and stimulatingly different sailing venture. We all had our moments and our highs and lows, during our two months together. But I know our experience of living and of life was enriched. I hope you continue to have fair sailing and lots of fun. Cheers Phililp Westlake, NSW, Australia westal@ida.com.au July 2002 The last two months have truely been one of the highlites of my life. True adventures are hard to come by, but fortunately I found a boat with a family that love life and everything it has to offer. I felt really at home on Wallaby and hopefully I have found friends that I will have for a long time. Fair winds on calm seas Aussie John Neller July 2002 I am so glad I sailed aboard Wallaby Creek with rough and tough , rude and crude Alan Phillips And his Aussie "poofter" mate John Neller. I will now need to go back to "yankee land" or "USA" for some intense psycological counseling. Or maybe they can prescribe me some good medicines to help me get over that traumatic experience. I recommand Alan do the same. Alan, Kevin Bloody Wilson's song " Do you fuck on first date?" should not be your wedding song, nor should it ever be played again on your boat. Nathalie you are a great mother and Lisa is a darling baby. and enjoyed playing with Lisa and letting her pull my hair everyday. I hope you have many exciting adventures together sailing and enjoying life. Happy sailing! Miss Yankee doodle, Michelle Coper, Ca, USA Lababeinspain@yahoo.com May 2002 Alan,Nathalie and Lisa Thank you for your hospitality and giving me the view of a lifestyle many people dream about. I'll now go back to my normal life and see if the dream still persists. Thank you Alan for trying to change my view of sharks- I think I'll get there in time-Thank you Nathalie for that last dive on Saxon Reef, I really enjoyed that. Enjoy your trip to New Guinea and please look after your beautiful daughter for me. If you are ever in Melbourne give me a call and Alan you can play with my lawn mower and my shoes. Hopefully we will meet again. Maybe I'll just trun up one day with my own cruising yacht. Best wishes to you James Dunn, VIC, Australia May 2002 Alan, Nathalie and Lisa Thank you for the great time and the time to contemplate and re-evaluate aspects of my life. It sure was a great way to analyse the"rat-race"and many personal issues. I have learnt to view many things I have accepted as truths in a different light. I know I will return home with a different approches to my life. Good luck to the three of you in your bullet proof Wallaby Creek protected from all the elements can throw you and from the tribulations of the world out there. I have really enjoyed the island and reef hopping and the sailing was quite different than what I expected and I am used to. If you ever venture down south I will put in a good word to customs for Alan and should be able to get him registered as a token, honorary "proof" on a temporary basis. Anyway if you ever do give me a call and we will catch up or you can stay for a while. You never know, I might join you on a future trip. John Bowling, Belair, SA May 2002 Well what can I say. It was fun making us sail into the wind with 25-30. It was fun fighting sharks and catching fish and it was fun drinking rum and telling lies. It's a good life and you are good people and perhaps we shall all cross paths again. So long Joe H. April 2002 Well Alan you have declined my offer to complete your web page with my section "what Alan won't tell you".I guess this is my chance. But then again anyone who has spent even one day with you would know this crude, rude, racist, sexist, homophobic old Aussie bloke somehow remains likeable. How, I still can't figure out. Alan, you have transformed my identity. I now understand that at the ripe old age of 22, I am six years past my prime, With no hope of catching a husband ( unless you can somehow have your book published in the next couple of years) I am destined to live my life as an old lonely spinster.I am now officially a Desperao. Nathalie and Lisa enjoy this wonderful life you have together. There is nothing more beautiful than a relationship between mother and daughter. Nathalie you are a great mum and bake a fine cake. Take care and happy sailing! Jess Jessica Cameron, Friday Harbor, WA jesscameron@hotmail.com August 2001 Alan & Nathalie ( I am a lovely thai girl and 24 yo now) 1 month with you guys and a cranky boyfriend dosen't seem long. I am sure if I stay longer I will catch some fish for cooking. This trip is really excellent and impressed to me. You make me feel like stay home. Thank you for your kindness and everything you did for me. Sorry when I was cranky and clumsy ( three buckets guys) which might make you upset because you have to buy new ones. Thank you for the birthday cake and the boom-ma-lang. I hope that I will want to live like you with Peter one day.Lot of love Alan can you say pom-ruk-kum with Nathalie every day Koragoch Sakarin koragoch@hotmail.com July 2001 Alan&Nathalie Thanksfor a great week. I am sorry it was such a short time. The stories I've heard make me envious. Maybe I can stay longer next time! I hope all goes well for the next chapter in your lives. I am sure Lisa will be a welcome addition to your crew. Thanks again. I've learnt a lot and had a great time. Now, I'll go home and see if I can talk my partner into selling our trailer-sailer and buying a REAL yacht! Take care Scot Steward, QLD, Australia sskk@ozemail.com.au June 2001 Alan&Nathalie Thanks for the experience.I got what I came for. Had a "smokin"good time. Maybe I'll see you again in a few years. Good luck Lisa, you'll need it. Steve Olson, USA steveno@Micron.net Aug 2001 Thanks for everything! The experience the conversations, food drinks, fish and not burning down the whole yacht. It is a life I could live and hope to before it is all over. I think we will meet again and would love to share some more sailing adventures with the 3 of you. It has been a great month that I'll be able to remember to pull me through the shitty days. I hope to be back! Enjoy life! Peter Tate Bankok,Thailand, California, USA petertate26@hotmail.com Feb 2001 A wonderful trip! Alan and Nathalie you showed me some of the real Australia and some great Aussies. I hope with my heart that you continue to have the most wonderful life with baby, you are both wonderful and terrific, there will always be a warm spot in my heart for you. Thanks for the adventures. Bob Owens Cheyenne. USA bobowens@wealth-plan.net P.O.Box 5061 82003-5061 Nov 2000 Flew into the "coup" in Fiji and relaxed in Vudu Point Marina for a few days waiting for Beemer to arrive. Then off across the Pacific to Australia. The sailing couldn't have been better, 1,500 nautical miles in 12 days with Wallaby Creek exceeding her hull speed frequently. A truely spectacular cruise capped by the captain landing a magnificient fish as we entered Australian waters. And when we arrived in Brisbane I had the pleasure of spending a week at the best address in the city. Alan and Nathalie you are wonderful. Thanks for this brief exposure to the life of a yachtie and for sharing your home with me. In every way it has been a terrific experience John Malamberg. Concord . USA. jamman7@hotmail.com Nov 2000 rsbeemer@hotmail.com republic of texas Thanks Capt and Nathalie for a wonderful sailing experience. I wish I could have helped more and I appreciate your patience. I hope someday to see you again. You are truely a sailor. Youn de mon!!! Beemer Aug 2000 Thanks Alan and Wallaby Creek for at last allowing me to sail the South Pacific. It has been as nice a I could imagine even though I would have liked some more open ocean sailing. I guess I will have to come back before an ocean passage to truely enjoy Wallaby Creek blue water capability !! I wish you the most favourable winds that will help you carry on in your lifetime journey of freedom. It takes courage to be a truely free man. I will keep on checking your web site to see your progress Tight lines and sweet sailing. Giovanni KARA Sankhulani kara15@mail.com Wallaby Creek was definately an experience for me to remember for ever and ever. The Italians added some entertainment but you make Wallaby Creek what she is.... your absolute honesty, funny stories, and constant abuse - I loved it all. I know that you don't think as highly of me but I hope you don't hold any grudges- it was all an experence !!! Anyway good luck with the Italians ( at least they work ) and the rest of your travels. LOTS OF LOVE KARA July 2000 Amira Posner Canada AmiraPosner@hotmail.com Dearest Alan sailing with you has definately confirmed my belief in a higher power. I know you think Kara and I are useless idiots but you have to admit and acknowledge the entertainment we brought. I admire you, Alan, for the lifestyle you have, the person you are and your honesty that is pure.... so very pure. I will never forget Wallaby Creek and it's sailorman for the rest of my life. I will pass down stories about you to family and friends for as long as I live. As far as I'm concerned you are legendary.. I will most definately send someone but hopefully my Aunt. Ifv the Italians start to annoy you just throw then over board. Take care, Alan and thanks for the BEST TIME OF MY LIFE. Amira Sometimes words are not enough to express one's feelings... Thank you for the wonderful months. I'll be back for more ! Take care and be happy ! You are in my heart and will always be. Love, Love, Love Nathalie nditoro10@hotmail.com June 2000 FIJI CRUISING THE COUP WITH YOU. DID NOT MAKE ME BLUE AU CONTRAIRE I'LL BE THERE WITH NARY A CARE AT THE NEXT BLOODY COCONUT ISLAND Fantastic trip see you soon but not too long INKY Professor of law at Montanna University. SAILING THE TONGA ISLANDS 2000 Thanks to Alan for bringing me under the sails of Wallaby Creek. Sharing the best part of you was great. I appreciate the love and conversation that we had. Wallaby Creek would be the best thing for any man. I hope that I may share other adventures with Wallaby Creek. May God be with you. Tim Hyten Bionicyber@Iwon.com Las Vegas USA. AMANDA RUST dalang@post.com www.amanda-rust.homestead.com/open.html Well Alan - you have failed miserably. You promised that I would find a husband on the crew. Kind of difficult if you and Nathalie are the only crew. You promised I would gain weight- even fed me T-bone steaks to insure your quest. Now I am a 90 lb weakling. I've lost more weight than I did in the USA. You even promised that I would come face to face with a shark. The only sharks we saw were the men in Nukuolofa. So what do you have to say for yourself EH ? No worries - THIS WAS THE BEST TIME I HAVE HAD IN YEARS, even with the squalls, gales , seasickness and massive quantities of meat. Take care and keep a lookout for the Dolphin Extermination Society. Your friend Amanda Rust. BOB BROWN TORONTO CANADA Most enjoyable two months ( except day 1 ) great crew. I learned quite a bit about real sailing without a lot of extra frills _ especially enjoyed the unbiased views of our APC ( always politically correct) skipper. I hope to be onboard in the Pacific in the future. FAIR WINDS AND GOOD SAILING ! BOB. DAG TORSOY dagtorsoy@yahoo.com Hate to be leaving the lucky ship WALLABY CREEK all to soon but duty calling back at home. Tasman Sea crossing was exciting and different. Thank you very much and best of luck from eskimo land. JOHN WALLER Trans Tasman crossing - Eden to Bay of Islands. Head winds mostly. Mottly intinerent crew from five nations. Skipper crazy with fine taste for rum who beats his crew. I WOULD SAIL ANYWHERE WITH HIM. MORAG & PAUL morag@talk21.com A great two weeks hard sailing - all that bashing and cooking into the wind reminds us of sailin in Scotland. The wildlife show was spectacular throughout but keep working on that conservation angle! We both had a great time and look forward to some easy sailing in the Pacific next year. Good luck with the rest of the journey. SUSAN susanod76@hotmail.com I haven't time to write a long note as the dinghy is leaving in 30 seconds. Thanks for the opportunity to see Australia - I had a great month but now civilazation is calling - I will remember it all fondly TED LAVERTY ted_laverty@hotmail.com SKIPPER Thanks for everything - the weather, the barron landscapes, the laughs, the whales, the seas and the dramas. Somebody wise, famous or respected probably once said you can choose your friends, have a fair idea about your family.....but your fucking crew?...no chance!.. Anyhow Alan thanks again. Never caught my barramundi so I will be back. Cheers. NATHALIE DI TORO nditoro10@hotmail.com Alan, merci pour ce mois en mer, pour les dauphins, les baleines et...le poisson frais tous les deux jours!... Beaucoup de moments resteront longtemps dans ma memoire! Enjoy life and be happy. KISSES XXX RUSS BAMPTON russellbampton@hotmail.com Goodbye again WALLABY CREEK. The next time I see you, it will be from the deck of my own yacht. IT'S THAT GOOD !! JONATHAN MURPHY murphy_nomos@yahoo.com To pinch a phrase from a great dolphin lover whom I know you will at once feel an affinity with, Alan " so long and thanks for all the fish ". Dolphin pod as we crossed the NT/QLD border was incredible. I am a convert; sailing is the only way to travel. Being on WALLABY CREEK has been the most inspiring part of my life. Witness this list of accomplishments; 1 Read MOBY DICK 2 Learned to play backgammon 3 Learned to drink rum Hopefully this has just been a foretaste of things to come, it would be great to be aboard WALLABY CREEK again. Thanks again for a wonderful time. Good company, a full belly, strong drink and fair winds, who could ask for more. See you later.. SARAH MLINERNEY bradain@aol.com It is a great gift to cross paths with such a fabulous crew of people. WALLABY CREEK will always be with me. MANY THANKS ELLY The sexy sailor from Holland ellywerkman@hotmail.com Ooch aah another hard day on WALLABY CREEK. Shall we go swimming, fishing, sailing, lay in the sun, play backgammon, have lunch, make love, or do nothing. Alan, Jan, Russell, Richard thanks all for a great time. I will never forget the Great Barrier Reef. A whole new world for me. My slogan in life from now will be; " work is for people who don't know how to cruise "! Love from Elly Call me when you get to the Pacific. RENA PERKINS rena1@together.net We hadn't expected to do anything like this at all, yet it has made the trip _ an absolute high point...... perhaps a life changing one (?) Thank you for the welcome and the easy hospitality - I am not one to emote, but it has meant a lot - I am sure to be back _ happy sailing !! CHRISTINE PIANTA In "life' there are men who really live their life the way they please. In Alan, I find a rude and horrible man who I enjoyed a lot in common with. Alas even though I am 20 years his junior I will try to do my best to emulate the Great Pirate !! I look forward to the next time ! KATE katypops@mailexcite.com Nice one Alan ! Ta for blue skies, blue seas, top reefs, sharks, tasty fish, barbies, croc spotting, backgammon etc. Hope the thought of my slow motion falling out of the dinghy keeps you tittering!! LOVE AND KISSES XXX ERIK STAHL BOULDER COLORADO 303 530 2336 Thanks for the trip, I will certainly remember and cherish the experience for the rest of my life. If you ever make it to the States look me up and I'll buy you a beer at the 'lariat saloon' and we'll listen to Jimmy Buffet. Take care. BEN GILLINGHAM MELBOURNE AUST 03 9337 8125 Thanks for the best two weeks of my life; I never thought it could be so good. DIANNE You'll always be the best of my memories of Australia Don't change a thing. LOVE DIANNE. BEN PAYNE LONDON 0181 699 0618 Thanks for an adventure of a lifetime, and educating me on how to be an ozzy man. Remember to send your daughter to Europe. P.S. Abos and dolphins need love too ! STEPHANE FRANCE Ca faisait longtemps que je revais d'un trip en voilier. Ce reve etant realise, je pense deja a renouveler cette fabuleuse experience! Ayant je pense "SEA LEGS " il m'est donc possible desormais d'envisager une aventure plus longue! Le plan Nouvelle Guinee me fait vibrer et j'espere etre parmis la "crew" en juillet-aout! Bref, j'ai passe 10 jours fabuleux, c'etait tres enrichissant, en un mot, la jouissance extreme! L'horizon c'est agrandi! Merci! Sacre bleu! Et les croutons!!? TONE VAN DER BERG twangie@casema.net Almost six weeks wasted in paradise, watching sunsets the moon, a million stars. Low technology but plenty of cake mix and instant paradise- just add a little wind and water. The snorkeling was absolutely amazing ! After six weeks the outside world ( some call it civilization) seems so far away and so unimportant. Who needs a telephone a computer or a government. One bag of rice a fishing line and a bottle of rum is all you need. Like the song says " the only drug we need is paradise " Alan, keep on sailing the oceans, look after Buddha and maybe one day we will meet again. Denise Thomas Sydney 02 9671 6647 A captain who gives up his cabin, catches and cleans the fish, and EVEN allows me to thrash hin at backgammon....what a guy... so long as he keeps up the cooking he might even "catch a wife" one day.... 4 great weeks aboard...and the most charming words were not from the captain or crew...but....Kevin BLOODY Wilson !....now that's real charm See you next time and thanks Katy Chaytor 6 Normanhurst, Ormskiric, Lancs, ENGLAND Katy 579211 = Nell 792270 = for a good time **** Neil 575237 = The maverics of Alan's 'LONELY HEARTS CLUB' CHIN CHIN MATES AND GOD SAVE THE QUEEN If you sail on the Wallaby Creek...god bless you xxxx Dead chuffed xxx well pissed on Alan's rum. and I will not learn how to cook in order to catch a husband ! then we set sail from Rockhampton, the Pommes brought aboard some proper music we all took shifts of steering but someone let Nell have a go she ran straight into the coral reef what a bloody good show it wasn't long after that that the anchor dragged I HOPE TO SEE YOU AGAIN SOON. LOTS OF LOVE XXXX Lindsay Murphy, "Helston" Viggory Lane, Horsell,Woking, Surry, ENGLAND Thanks Alan for a brilliant time - I now like sharks but you will never convince me about the dolphins Lots of love. Stephen Scully Left soon after, one month lock-up, rejoined the Creek mid July. Gerhadd Reichart Hinterholz 17, 4310 Mouthansen, Austria 07238 4481 Jerry the diving instructor and last mate. Austria ( no roos!!!) I could be somewhere in South America already dancing the samba with the chicas down there or even back in Austria for skiing but no I had to meet this Aussie fellow in Hong Kong just to get shipwrecked with him all the time, being forced to drink beer and rum and even getting raped several times. And last but not least he is finishing my odysse here in Singapore by dropping me right overboard thank you. But still there were a few not that bad moments I still will remember as well like the great dive trips around Tubbaloha, final exams for Open Water Students, partying with other yachties or - just a few naked girls on the foredeck. I hope Alan you pick me up somewhere around the world - to smuggle rum and getting raped again!! P.S. dsa nadiste mal will idi aber echten wind sehem, Purzelbaume mit dem Boot probicren und - wenn wir wieder mal Seekarlen komben gehen einige Kilos warmes Rohes im Schaumbad vergenubzwerpelin - mit dem EICHKALZLWCHWOUF ! Teri Hooper,P.O.Box 1973 Aspen Colorado USA Well , what can I say? It's been a good trip second time around even though we've had our ups and downs. I made the right decision to come back to WALLABY CREEK, she's shown me some amazing water, lands and people. I've enjoyed our time together, Alan. I hope what you seek unveils itself back in Australia. Watch out for me down under next summer. If there's time lets go sailing. I leave a part of me to sail WALLABY CREEK forever. Best of luck to you, Alan. Happy Sailing to OZ with the travelling fish net. I wish I could go with you. Next time. Lots of Love OOOXXX Teri Hooper KEI W CHEONG, 113 Market St.,London There is a yacht her name is WALLABY CREEK I've been aboard her for nigh 4 weeks, We've sailed from Darwin and heading for Cairns Stopping at islands and other fair lands. We've stopped at Booby and Thursday Island too, All named by Cook and his Endeavour crew, And Flinders Island named by Flinders no less But the Lizard Islands have by far been the best. A secluded island with a swish resort, Gameships and diving the recreational sport. I had my last scuba lesson by the shore, When I got to the Cod Hole the air was no more. So I snorkeled instead in waters so clear With some potato cods coming to lear, Over a metre in length and the maior wrasse too Amost spectacular sight for the divers to view. Had a days fishing with Paul from Lizard lodge staff, Went in his motor boat which was quite a laugh. I had the first catch pulled with all my strength Found a bright coral cod eight inches in length. Then we raced back to the shore in about 2 seconds flat I wangled a hot shower and stopped for a chat And as the night fell we had beers on the shore Barbecued our caught fish, really yummy for sure. Now we've set sail again for destinations all new That's Captain Alan Phillips, me and the mottly crew With blue skies, blue seas, new islands to come Sailing lazing diving all the fun in the sun. HAD A WONDERFUL TIME THANKS LOVE KEI XX Maarten Delwel Montfoort, Netherlands The most relaxing holiday I've had in Oz, I think, 15 hours of sleep each day and some wild sailing and bushwalking, which I enjoyed very much. Thanks Alan. Heather James Canada Alan, thank you so much for your never ending hospitality! Our weather could have been better, however when we had good weather we certainly had lots of fun. The sailing was AWESOME - I could sail in that forever. I'll put in a good word for you and Wallaby Creek, however you will have to change your chauvenistic ways! All the best. Happy travels, Thank you. P.S Don't lose that "Reggae Dance Hits " tape. Rianne Van Rijn Aderweq 6, 2371 AM Roelofarendsveen, Netherlands Dear Alan. Sailing, diving, snorkeling, nice weather , nice people, 10 days in the Whitsundays. Sailing was great. Diving, the best. Snorkeling, awesome. Company, I'll never forget my 2 friends from England and Canada. Sailing, great. Only you crazy skipper could have been a little bit nicer for me instead of blaming me for everything. Alan you're a strange man but enjoyed being on your boat. Now it's time to meet my husband and tell him about you and Wallaby Creek! Take care of her she's wonderful Take care, see you. Love and kisses Rianne XX Min Chamberlain 2 Tremaine Rd, London Well what to say. Not knowing what to expect when I got on this boat I'm not in a position to say weather we did it or not whatever that's supposed to mean. I can definately say that I had a great time despite a few doubts at the start. Much fun was had, but as for you, Alan I don't think I'll ever get to the bottom of who you are, but that's my quandry not yours. I have REALLY, REALLY, REALLY enjoyed myself and will certainly aim to do more sailing in future because you and Wallaby Creek have definately given me a good start. Thanks. Min. ANYBODY READING THESE EXTRACTS FROM THE WALLABY CREEK VISITORS BOOK SHOULD ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT SHE IS NOT JUST A SAILING BOAT, SHE IS A COMPLETE WAY OF LIFE. IF YOU ACTUALLY WANT TO BE ANYWHERE OR ACHIEVE ANYTHING THEN THIS IS NOT FOR YOU. ( catch a bus )! PERSONS COMING FROM CIVILIZATION MAY FIND DIFFICULTIES IN SLOWING DOWN TO THE REQUIRED LEVEL OF LAZYNESS