Boat Launch!

Wow! What a perfect end to an amazing almost 1 year in China. Last Friday Eliot and the guys he has worked so hard with launched the very first boat out of the China factory. It was quite the event in Fuyang complete with camera crews and fireworks. Traffic was stopped along the river where they were launching due to a lot of spectators trying to figure out what this thing was they were putting in the water. The boat was christened by yours truly. I was quite honored that they had asked me to do it. This is a huge milestone for these guys and they should be so proud of everything they've managed to accomplish in some very difficult circumstances. Thanks you guys for letting me be a part of it, it meant a huge amount to me.


~At 6am and already 80 degrees~


~Setting it up and getting ready for the splash~


~Trying not to sweat on the boat~


~There's something really unsettling about seeing something this big suspended in the air~


~John, the Chinese company owner, staying cool~


~Of course Champagne~


~And it floats!!~
(big sigh of relief from those responsible)


~First run out on the Fu Chun river, way to go guys!~