By Masako Watanabe • Pacific Daily News • December 6, 2008

 

Chinese impressionist and abstract painter Mo Zhai has been sailing for almost two years now to achieve a lifelong dream: Traveling around the world -- solo -- on a non-motorized boat.

 

Zhai embarked on his journey Jan. 6, 2007.

 

Guam became an unintended part of his itinerary.

 

 

Romantic journey: Chinese artist Mo Zhai poses for photos on his sailboat, the Rizhao, as local Chinese residents gather to bid him farewell. Zhai was in Guam for a week to repair his sailboat during the last stretch of his around-the-world solo voyage. (Masako Watanabe/Pacific Daily News)

 

Zhao was heading from Hawaii to Taiwan when he found hydraulic fluid leaking. He decided to stop on Guam for repairs Nov. 28.

 

During his nearly two-year-long journey, Zhai visited 20 ports in 16 countries, he said through a translator.

 

He had a planned course, but had to make occasional unplanned stops due to weather or repair needs, he said.

 

He set sail from the southern Chinese city of Rizhao for which the yacht is named. Rizhao also means "sunshine," Tamuning resident Steven Zhao said.

 

"I had virtually finished my around-the-world solo navigation when I stepped onto Guam soil because of a little challenge in my journey from Guam to China," Zhai said through the translator. "I never imagined (Guam) is a very beautiful island with beautiful colors in the ocean and the trees."

 

The first Chamorros he met were fishermen at the Hagåtña boat basin, who gave him barbecued fish, he said.

 

He said the journey is his longtime dream come true.

 

"Many years, I always dreamed of doing this round-the-world trip by myself. Of all the methods of transport, like plane or train, the most free way to travel is by sea," he said through the translator.

 

Every stop he made, such as in Brazil, South Africa and Indonesia, he never had a visitor's visa, but was always granted a waiver, he said.

 

Traveling on a sailboat gave him the freedom to arrive and depart any time he wanted.

"Don't need any tickets," he laughed. "I also think it's a romantic journey," he said through the translator.

 

After being warmly received by the Chinese community on Guam, Zhai resumed his journey yesterday.

 

He set sail for KaoXiong, Taiwan, about 10 a.m. yesterday. After Taiwan, the last of his trip will be to reach home.

 

His newfound Guam friends were on hand yesterday to see him off.

 

"Now I don't want to leave," he smiled, as they snapped his pictures and waved goodbye.

http://www.guampdn.com/article/20081206/NEWS01/812060319/1002