Louis Theroux is a BBC documentary fimmaker who exposes facets of life previously hidden to the average citizen. Most Americans, like us, have probably never heard of him because he typically exposes the absurd realities of fringe groups in the U.S., such as prostitutes, meth addicts, prison inmates, white supremacists, religious extremists, survivalists. And now, liveaboard sailors. He recently visited Wondertime to see what life is like for a family of four living and sailing on a 38-foot yacht. This is the final of three parts.*
…
[Several days later…]
Louis (voice over while driving): Today is my last day in Auckland. This afternoon I will board an aeroplane for the long haul back to London. But first, I’m going to make a final visit to the Wondertime family in their downtown Auckland marina.
(cut to Louis talking to family in cockpit of boat)
Louis: Well look at that! It finally stopped raining!
Holly: Yaaaaay!
Leah: I like when it rains.
Louis: Guys, I only have a little time this morning before I have to say goodbye and start on my way back to London. Can I ask the girls a few questions?
Holly: Yaaaaay!
Leah: Sure.
Louis: How old are you both now?
Leah: I’m seven and a half.
Holly: I’m…I’m… (whispers to Leah) How old am I again?
Leah (whispers to Holly): Hooooolly! I’ve told you a thousand times. You’re four and a half.
Holly (beaming, to Louis): I’m four and a half!
Louis: Ok then! What is your favorite thing about living on a boat?
Holly: I don’t like living on a boat. I want to live in a house.
Leah: Well, I like living on a boat. Most of my friends here live in apartments. That seems boring. Plus I loooove to fish.
Louis: Do you like eating them?
Leah: I do. But I like dissecting them better. You know, cutting them up.
Louis: What about you Holly? Do you like fish?
Holly: I love Nemo.
Louis: If you could sail anywhere, where would you sail?
Leah: I want to go to Fiji. It’s think it’s warm there and the water’s clear. I miss swimming and snorkeling.
Holly: I want to go to a beach. This city is not very cozy. There is no cozy sand here.
Louis: Well, it seems you are in agreement on that. Is there anything you don’t like about sailing on a boat?
Leah: Oh, I hate getting seasick. And I wish I didn’t have to share a room with my little sister. She’s always getting into my stuff.
Louis: What about you Holly?
Holly: Oh, I love everything about living on a boat.
Louis: Huh. Ok. Well, I want to wish good luck to all of you, where ever you sail to next. This is quite a life.
Sara: Yes.
Michael: Yes it is.
(cut to Louis flying over the ocean in airplane)
Louis (voice over): I wasn’t sure what I was expecting before meeting this intrepid little family that is crossing oceans in their home. It seems terrifying to me, and well, it sounds like it is to them too at times. But they also told me that the seven seas are full of cruising families like theirs and half the fun is seeing who they’ll meet up with in the next harbour. It’s a curious thing, really, how moving around the world at walking speed might just make it feel smaller.
*Not really. This is a work of fiction. But if Louis did interview us I’m sure it would have gone just like this.
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