I have always loved the ocean. It fascinated me as a little girl, while exploring the beaches in South Africa, and it fascinates me still. I became a scuba instructor so I could share my passion with others, and my children share the same. I remarried in April of 2014, and now not only have a wonderful husband to share the magic with, but have added 4 more children to my 7. My husband Danny has the same sense of adventure as I, and together we have purchased a 46ft Leopard Catamaran with which to explore the world…one ocean at a time. ~Belinda
Adventures of a Tribe 
May 14, 2015 at 3:58 am
Awe, I miss you guys so much! It looks like you are having fun there. My sister just went back to Idaho so just have Emma text me if you guys want to go to bear world. She can only take 3 at a time though. BTW I love reading your blogs they are so awesome!!!!!
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May 14, 2015 at 4:00 am
Thank you McKenzie. We love and miss you.
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May 20, 2015 at 1:51 pm
Thank you for joining us on our adventure! We feel blessed to be able to share these wonderful adventures with our children.
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May 20, 2015 at 1:04 pm
I am so excited to hear of your journey. It’s just not the same here without you guys. I look forward to reading of this wonderful time in your lives what a gift you are giving your children. I also look forward to your return.
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June 9, 2015 at 5:25 pm
Dear Ms. Govatos: Please allow me to re-introduce myself. My name is Don Dana, and we met a couple of months ago at the hot tub in Blacklake in Nipomo. I was at the hot tub again this past Saturday and saw your kids there. I remembered them and they recognized me. They were telling me about your upcoming adventure; it sounds not just exciting but an incredible ongoing lesson in the school of life. Jude gave me the address of your blog; I hope it is ok if I follow along your trip.
I must say I am very impressed with your children; they strike me as much more responsible and intelligent than kids their own age throughout San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties. You should be proud. Tell them all I say hello, and that I am working on a solution to the plaster in the pool. If any of you wish to write, I can be reached at dondon_1055@yahoo.com. Happy trails, sincerely, Don
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June 9, 2015 at 11:44 pm
Hi Don,
Thank you so much for your kind words. I do remember you. We are so proud of our creatures and love them very much, and love learning from them. We would love for you to join us on our adventure. Feel free to comment or give insight any time.
Every day will be more exciting than the next!!
Sincerely, Dan and Belinda
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June 27, 2015 at 4:38 pm
Belinda!! I was ready to go on my run this morning when i got your sweet text….. So I couldn’t wait, but came to my computer to check your AWESOME blog…. needles to say i took so much time reading and dreaming with every picture in your blog! That i did not go on my run today. What an adventure!!!! SO FUN!!! looking at your kids faces was easy to catch their happiness and content!! As a mom i couldn’t helped but wish i was in a position to offer such a fun, exploring life… Now my friend be safe, continue to be happy and thank the Lord every day for giving you so much….. Truly happy for you
And thanks for the yummm recipes!!
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June 27, 2015 at 4:47 pm
Boy I can’t believe how home sick I am!!! The fruits the plants the color of the flowers, and the beautiful colorful “stores” brought so so so much memories to me!! I am so so so happy and proud of my inheritance
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June 28, 2015 at 12:27 pm
As you should be Claudia. I am proud of my inheritance too. We live in a beautiful world filled with beautiful children of God.
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June 27, 2015 at 4:59 pm
Thank you Claudia. We do have tons of fun as a family, whether it’s on land or at sea😀
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July 2, 2015 at 3:03 am
Love reading about your adventure. Tell Capt Dan fellow GLPer here with the same ambitions….just a few years behind you guys. Keep up the postings as it keeps others motivated!
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July 3, 2015 at 12:29 am
Thank you Fred, Dan sends his regards. Come join us anytime – we can have a floatilla.
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July 6, 2015 at 3:05 am
Like I already told you…. I know you are strong and very capable… of being “alone” but again i sure hope time will fly! 🙂 I also hope your time with your dad will be sweet and full of good memories! Cheers
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July 6, 2015 at 3:11 am
Thank you Claudia.
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April 8, 2016 at 1:57 am
Hello, my names drew I’m from the states and sailed down to grand Bahamas island in the grand Bahama celebration cruise ship. I went to an awesome bonfire tonight and met your oldest daughter. I’m a nautical enthusiast and ocean lover, we talked about your adventures at sea and how much I’d love to live at sea. I love Ships and being at sea gives me great peace. May God give you smooth waters and safe sailing! Drew
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April 8, 2016 at 2:16 am
Hi Drew, thank you so much for contacting us. The ocean is a beautiful place and we are always excited to meet others who share the same passion. Hopefully we will meet some day. If you are going to be around another day, feel free to stop by tomorrow – we will be back and forth between the beach and the boat as we watch the fishing tournament. Take care, and thanks again. Belinda
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April 8, 2016 at 2:24 am
Where do you guys stay? I’d love to visit your vessel and meet you guys 😀 I enjoyed sitting by the fire and talking…. They said you Guys were back at the boat tonight, I said darn! If love to meet your parents 🙂
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April 8, 2016 at 3:22 am
We are in the Flamingo Bay Marina. The only catamaran docked there.
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April 8, 2016 at 12:22 pm
Awesome 😀
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April 12, 2016 at 8:05 pm
Thanks to Capt’n Dan, Jude & all your wonderful family for your visit at the Flamingo-bay marina, you really put life in our quiet little paradise, especially appreciated the talk about the Rolling Stones we had by the pool & those unbeleivable stories you’ve had as a pilot for the rich & famous, sport teams such as my dear ”Habs” Montréal Canadiens, etc..& a big thanks to Aidan for your help bringing my boat to the marine yard, it was fun so, good sailing to all of you & keep posting wonderful pics & sharing extraordinary expériences with all of us. CHEERS!!
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April 12, 2016 at 11:29 pm
Thanks Denis, we really enjoyed meeting you too. Hopefully we will meet up soon again! Safe travels to you where ever you go.
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April 13, 2016 at 9:58 pm
Hello capt’n Dan,I laugh each time I say that cause it remind me of Forest Gump..I was wondering if you & all the beautiful creatures had managed to leave Freeport? I’m stil in Nassau & quite windy here but sunny, enjoying my last week in paradise (island) before returning to Canada friday morning & face reality & cold.. saw your pics of the kayak fishing tournament on your blog..amazing & love the pickle! if you have time I’d love to get the Stones pics or video from Havana..send it to my e-mail adress denisrob64@yahoo.com and if you ever come to Montréal, let me know & I’ll be your guide & host..por favor! Thanks & Cheers! D.R.
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May 18, 2016 at 10:06 am
It was a pleasure meeting you and your family on Spanish Wells. Soo jealous of your adventures! I think it’s everyone’s dream to drop everything and sail!!!! You can honestly say you’re “just living the dream!!” Take care and be safe!!! Good speed!
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May 30, 2016 at 4:01 pm
It was so great to meet you guys at Thunderbolt Grotto! What is the pickle’s Instagram name? Best of luck on your adventures!
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May 30, 2016 at 7:35 pm
It was great meeting you too! @kindofa_bigdill is the instagram 🙂
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August 23, 2016 at 10:30 pm
Greetings from Blacklake, Nipomo, California: This is Don, I met you all at the pool at Blacklake a year ago or so. I have enjoyed reading about your travels and adventures, it’s a part of my morning tea routine 🙂 I came across some books in my library that I thought may interest you. I realize space on a boat is precious, so I’m not sure if books are practical in this digital age, and these books are not current, from the 70’s. But what I found is “Knight’s Modern Seamanship, 15th ed.”, “Sea Sense by Ricard Henderson” and “One-Design & Off-Shore Yachtsman Encyclopedia of Sailing.” if you can use those, I’d be happy to send them to you. Otherwise, if maybe there is a school or charity place that would want them, I can send them. I don’t want to throw them away, but I do need to thin the library out a bit, and was hoping maybe these can help someone. I look forward to reading more about your adventures. Fare thee well, Don Dana
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September 21, 2016 at 11:44 am
Thank the kids for showing us where to jump from!!!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smdpSYDJZHE Hope you guys are doing well!
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September 21, 2016 at 9:58 pm
The kids say you’re welcome. Great video. They had fun showing you!
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November 3, 2016 at 2:20 pm
We met the kids today on Oppenheimer beach in St John. Such well spoken and polite folks. They love their mom and it was awesome to hear their stories.
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November 3, 2016 at 9:29 pm
Hi Mr Carothers,
I’m so glad you got to meet our kids. They are amazing individuals. Their mom loves them very much too. Thank you for taking the time to chat with them. They love meeting new people as we travel around the world.
Sincerely,
Belinda
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December 29, 2016 at 2:21 pm
We met you on Bonaire when your boat sailed near Caribbean Princess cruise mooring nearby. you guys were busy scuba dived along the shore. Your family is so wonderful happy together. Wish it last forever.
Happy New Year.
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June 29, 2017 at 2:06 am
Hello,
I have a website introducing land hermit crab,
http://www.tonycoenobita.com/species_eng.htm
Can I borrow below picture from you?
If it is ok, please let me know your name, I will put your name on the picture.
Thank you very much.
Tony
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June 29, 2017 at 2:28 am
Hi Tony,
I am excited to visit your website on land hermit crabs. Feel free to use my photograph, and thank you for asking.
Belinda Govatos
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June 29, 2017 at 5:43 am
Thank you very much.
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June 29, 2017 at 5:52 am
Hello, forgot to answer, is it took in coco islands?
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August 5, 2017 at 11:11 pm
Sorry to hear about losing your beautiful boat. On the other hand, it looks like you had some fantastic adventures that you’ll share forever. Thanks for sharing the great photos and words via your blog.
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August 8, 2017 at 7:20 pm
Thank you Ken.
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January 21, 2018 at 12:51 am
Sorry to hear about the loss of your Cat. Welcome to Idaho Falls! My wife and I have lived here a year now. It’s not bad except for the cold.
BTW Family baptisms are great! We just were in San Jose CA for one of our grandsons who just turned 8.
I have a laser engraver in my basement if you guys would like something made. I’ll do it for free if you supply the wood. We also have some 3d printers if someone wants to learn. I’m a disabled vet and this is what I do in my spare time when not watching sailing channels on YouTube. My email is bill Karoly at Gmail. No spaces. Wish you best of luck in the future.
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January 21, 2018 at 10:19 am
Thank you so much Bill. We are visiting our son in Nebraska right now but will be back in IF by 2/1. We’d love to stop by! My cell number is 8087564243 and email belinda@govatos.com
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January 22, 2018 at 12:18 pm
I was wondering for your next boat if you thought
That choosing multiple water tight compartments
would be of interest or not?
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January 24, 2018 at 9:50 pm
Hi Mark,
Multiple water tight compartments would be awesome but it wouldn’t have helped our situation. Our problem wasn’t sinking it was repairing breached hulls etc. Are there cats out there that have water tight compartments?
I’m curious.
Belinda
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September 23, 2019 at 8:51 am
What did you end up doing with crystal blue did you’re family get her fixed?
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September 27, 2019 at 1:55 am
Hi David, we continue to restore Crystal Blue. It has taken so much longer than we’d anticipated. Not too much longer now and she’ll splash. I’ll write a blog on her progress.
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September 26, 2019 at 8:49 pm
I just caught up with your blog today. Back to the shipwreck and adventures that came after. I loved them all and the creatures are awesome!
I am wondering what happened to the sailboat you rescued. After your surgery I find nothing about it?
Keep your adventures coming I look forward to reading.
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September 26, 2019 at 8:54 pm
Hi Peter, welcome to the family. I was just thinking that I need to write an update on her. We are still slowly restoring her. Almost done actually. It’s taken so much longer than we thought.
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September 27, 2019 at 5:50 am
This makes my day just hearing your family never gave up on her honestly I have the biggest smile right now and I can’t wait for the next update on her
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September 27, 2019 at 6:10 am
Thank you Dave. She makes us smile too. We have taken the time to restore her exactly to factory specifications. We are so excited to sail her.
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August 6, 2020 at 2:30 pm
Just wondering did you ever get back on the water ?
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August 6, 2020 at 6:33 pm
Hi Jonny, not yet. I still hope to
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