Pacific Odyssey - Leg 3

I am writing today, September 3, about yesterday, as I wasn´t feeling good enough to write late last night.  I will still write tonight too, if all continues well.  Yesterday was a busy day despite it being our first day at sea.  People were definitely tired from full days ashore and from getting accustomed to the motion at sea.  We arrived at Maupiti Island at 0430hrs and hove to until dawn.  Once the light was good, Skipper moved towards the very narrow pass to have a better look.  There is an outflow current and a cross-flowing current which move very quickly.  There are also unknown currents working deeper below the surface in and around the coral that Skipper could feel controlling the boat.  The surf was breaking 8-10 ft. on the reef on either side of the pass with spray shooting sky-high. Skipper spent an hour jockeying back and forth, studying the pass.  In the end, he decided the risk was too great.  We turned around and began, somewhat disheartened, our 50nm crossing to the Cook Islands.  The reception and exchange at Maupiti may have been similar to our experience at Mangareva in the Gambier Group last offshore.  To bring a group of eager students to a less visited island . . . we try not to dwell on it.  In the morning there were light winds, which slowly picked up throughout the day, offering us a menu of rain, strong rain squalls and wind squalls which called for regular sail handling. The reefed main went up and down several times, as did the jib.  The port course has been up for most of the time along with the fore and jumbo.  At night we lowered the main and set the trysail.  Just before supper we had an incredible rain squall, so hard and so long that the crew and trainees were able to scrub down and rinse off; a real bonus.  Chase has been a huge help to the crew today; the lazyjack came loose from aloft and he spent quite some time up in the rigging, rocking back and forth, setting things aright.  He was also the one who bow-lined all the trysail lanyards on to the mainmast in the absolute pouring rain.  Talking about it later, he said it was wonderful, totally exhilarating, he had the right attitude.  At 1330 we mustered in the stern and had a Sunday service.  We discussed the word ´odyssey,´ in relationship to each of our own, individual wanderings through life, physically, emotionally and spiritually.  We looked at Moses´ wandering in the desert, how long he wandered and where his direction and leadership came from.  Stephen shared part of his life ´odyssey,´ which was very interesting and applicable.  We celebrated Graydon´s 24th birthday.  Arwen baked chocolate chip mint cookies and there were more than enough for everyone to have their fill; some of us enjoyed them for breakfast.  Katie would like to wish Matt´s parents, Jamie and Judy MacDonald, a very, very wonderful and Happy Anniversary, for September 2. This brings us close to tea time, which we are trying to reinstate now that we are out at sea again.  Jose created a set-up where we can safely set teapots, honey, and milk, even on a steeply heeled deck.  For now, this is it, sorry it is late, I will continue tonight,
Bonice.