We have just arrived in the Port of Houston, right where the dream unfolded last August!
The ‘dance of the cranes’ will now only be a vivid memory…
We truly want to thank you for following along on our ‘freighter journey of a lifetime’! I want to especially thank the staff members of Lima City Schools who encouraged me to share this journey, so that our kids of Lima could ‘see the world’!
I also want to thank the “Men of the Rickmers’ Shanghai” that made us feel right at home amidst the daily hardships and challenges of their work at sea.
For us, it has been an amazing experience. We have traveled for nearly five months, approximately 30,000 nautical miles, visited over forty-five cities and over twenty ports around the globe. We have gazed across the hull of a ship carrying nearly 63 million dollars worth of cargo as we watched dolphins entertain us in the waters below. We have rolled with rough seas, experienced a serenity and calm unexplainable, watched sunrises and spectacular sunsets, and even found joy in the ‘rains’ of our final day at sea (see video clip attached).
We are truly grateful for this immense blessing of having the opportunity to experience a unique glimpse of the people and the challenges faced in today’s world.
It is time now to bid you farewell. We certainly hope that you have enjoyed traveling with us.
And the MOST amazing thing of all about this journey……Bud and I are still speaking to each other after five months of major ‘one on one’ time:)!! Most of our friends have lost that bet…
Again, thank YOU for taking the time to log on and follow the journey with us. May the spirit of adventure always be with you!!
Bud and Karel Oxley
Fremont, Ohio USA
Rickmer Shanghai Passengers
Oxleys' Adventures 
Welcome home:)
Karel & Bud, I have truly enjoyed the world excursion through your eyes. Thanks for sharing your experiences & adventures. “Happy New Year…now we’ll see what 2013 brings! Looking forward to seeing you both back in Fremont!
Welcome home and THANK YOU for inviting us along on your journey. Your blogs were entertaining, educational and exciting and your pictures were wonderful. Can’t wait to see you when you stop by LCS. Miss you!
Sheila
What a fabulous trip, Karel. So many wonderful memories. I am going to miss the updates. You were all over the map. Can’t wait for your next adventure!! 😉
I carried Elizabeth’s pick memorial ribbon with me the entire way:)!!!
Hugs!!
What a wonderful adventure. Thank you for sharing it with us. I will miss getting your posts. So, how about coming to Rotary and giving a presentation about your trip?
Welcome home.
Welcome home
We enjoyed your sdventures. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks, hope to see you in Fremont one day!!! Happy New Year…and thanks for following along!!,
hello sir and madaam,hope you enjoy your trip with us,by thge way did you get the souvener i left to gerome,ived wait for you before i sign off in mexico,by the way were negative on the test….best rgds and all the best..happy new year…….bosun noel carbonell rickmers shanghai
We wish you A Blessed 2012! What a great adventure-thanks for sharing.
Welcome home.