Pacific Odyssey - Leg 3

We just finished Sunday service amidships on deck, under the tarp with Jordan´s ´trouble light´ creating a cozy glow. Each crew member chose a song from the SALTS songbook and explained why the song meant something to them. We then sang the song; it opened our ears and minds to the lyrics and what they could be saying that we hadn´t noticed.  We are anchored outside the reef at Aitutaki, quite far from the beach.  We arrived at 0800 hrs, anchoring our bow in 90 ft.of water, with our stern hanging over a 260 ft. drop.  The ship continues to roll gently and regularly from side-to-side, hopefully lulling us to sleep tonight.  Last night, starboard sleepers hugged their leecloths while portside sleepers hugged the hull; there was lots of motion and we were all aware of trying to sleep.  Yesterday there were many of us who did not feel well, were seasick or were in need of sleep.  It was a very slow moving day, people were tired from their days ashore and were dealing with the energy required to live aboard a very moving ship again. It´s been much more difficult for the new trainees to get used to being out at sea without an initial longer stretch away from the islands.  Katie did an amazing job in the galley, french toast and bacon for breakfast and lasagna with ground beef for supper.  We haven´t been able to get ground beef since Hawaii, so we were all looking forward to the lasagna.  The weather was much cooler and though we were heading towards the equator, we were decked out in hoodies, fleece, long pants and raingear for most of the day; it felt strange to be so cold.  We were happy to see the sun again this morning, to be able to jump off the side of the ship, to play on the swing, and to clean ourselves on deck again.  Skipper and Jordan found someone with a powerboat who took the trainees ashore in 2 loads through a very narrow and swiftly moving pass.  Most of the crew stayed aboard, doing odd jobs, schooling for the kids, and catching up on writing.  Gillian made pizza for everyone with the help of Arwen and Kelsey.  Graydon was feeling lowly and stayed to sleep, while Caelen read and is thinking about learning a wider version of the Turk´s
Head knot.  Trainees said the island is beautiful; very quiet but with enough to do and see.  Several hiked a small mountain and had an amazing view of the island, the lagoon and the motus.  Tom, Carolyn and Krista, and perhaps some others, kayaked across the lagoon to a ´paradise-like´ motu and relaxed in the sand and the sun.  Tom said it was the most beautiful place he´s seen so far.  Others walked or hitched a ride around the island, found a nice cafe to write postcards etc., a good day by the sounds of it.  Skipper, the 3 boys and I took the zodiac to the reef and snorkelled for an hour or so.  Jose joined us after awhile.  We saw 2 moray eels, a very colorful parrot fish and lots of other beautiful fish, some as big as 45cm, sea turtles raising their heads for a breath before they dove down deep again and some interestingly shaped coral.  The wonderful temperature of the water is something all of us appreciate and will think of when we are back home again.
Tonight after service, Skipper gave a summary of the time remaining on this leg and the possible stops between here and Fiji. We are nearly halfway through this leg; the time goes quickly.  People are starting to sleep on deck again after quite a few nights of sleeping below because of colder and windier weather.  Carolyn and Krista would like to wish their grandma a wonderful birthday, tomorrow September 11.  Happy Birthday Grandma, from Carolyn and Krista.  Also, Kelsey has an amazingly wonderful best friend, DQ, who is having a birthday tomorrow as well.  Kelsey wishes you the greatest of days, she´s thinking of you.  Happy Birthday DQ, from Kelsey.  We will be staying here tomorrow, leaving early the following morning for Palmerston Atoll, where we will deliver the goods to the Marster families.  Along with what I already mentioned the other day, we also have a 100lb tank of propane to give to them; it could be an interesting visit. This is it, until tomorrow, good night, Bonice.