What do you want to leave when you’re gone? This week, a megayacht, the Liva O, sailed into town and was truly a sight to behold.
Moored so close to shore, a Norm Wagner mused that she must be trying to steal his WiFi!
Of course, that boat has her own WiFi, along with a spa, gym, on-deck beach club, and underwater viewing lounge with giant lights that shine into the abyss below, allowing people on board to view sea life with champagne in hand.
At 388 feet, it dwarfs the Kwuna and most other vessels seen in these parts, except the “big ferry.” It looks like the love child of a battleship and a cruiser.
As a huge fan of the reality show Below Deck, I’m fascinated by the likes of this Liva O. What would it be like to work on it? What would it be like to tour it? Who owns this vessel?
Jags was quick to do some digging and discovered it was bought in 2023 for $250 million by German-American industrialist Stephen Orenstein, who is worth over $2 billion. That is a sum of money most of us can barely comprehend. It is fascinating to consider that his wealth came from supplying food to U.S. troops in Germany in the 1950s as the Cold War waged. From soldier rations, to owning a boat like that — the family must be proud of their legacy.
No one can miss noticing a boat like that, especially around here.
It leaves me to ponder if that’s really what life is all about. Would I want to be able to leave my great-grandchildren a superyacht? I’d have to admit I wouldn’t say no… but that really isn’t my aim.
I aim to leave a legacy of good people and (I hope) a few of my art pieces that survive along the way.
Between you and me, gentle reader, I often keep lesser doodles and incomplete
art and imagine an auctioneer at Sotheby’s in the distant future regaling an eager audience with the tale of how it was found tucked under a distant descendant’s bed and is now worth millions.
While I wouldn’t say I feel the need to leave my descendants a super yacht, I wouldn’t be sad to leave them the means by which to purchase one, should they wish.
However, my artistic brilliance aside, the reality of my legacy will likely be far more humble. And that isn’t such a bad thing. Perhaps it is actually the best.
On my walk today, I paused to take in the beauty of the little flowers that the late Tlellian Susan Wright planted in a rotting stump by the river.
That legacy of beauty lives on, inspiring me to remember a kind and gentle woman who loved to teach and be active. Those are the true riches we leave behind.
Rumour has it (though rumours should always be regarded just as such) that the owner of the Liva O is scheduled to arrive at the end of the month to tour Gwaii Haanas.
It’s just the crew on board for now. Oh, to see that on Below Deck! Am I right?