Jennifer Figge

TODAY WE’LL CELEBRATE THE NEW YEAR THREE TIMES: once for the Hungarians, my Captain Tamas and his First Mate Sara (at 4 p.m. PST), once for the Spainiard Dr. Javier (5 p.m. PST), and once for me (11 p.m. PST, for Colorado time).

We have champagne, fireworks and streamers to bring in the New Year and celebrate the start of our voyage. The best part was to observe the Spanish tradition of eating 12 grapes at midnight — one for each month — for good luck.

I also swam 9 and a half miles today! What a great way to start.

Happy New Year to all my friends, family, loved ones and all.

Jennifer