Pacific Odyssey - Leg 3

We are now officially in the eastern hemisphere, as of about 2000 hrs.  It´s been a good day; many smaller events forming a full whole.  The wind strength has varied, changing between stronger and weaker, giving us the opportunity to do some more sail handling.  Skipper is trying to arrive at the island of Ovalau by 0700 hrs tomorrow to clear in to Fiji; then we will continue 80nm further to Lautoka, on the island of Viti Levu, the main Fijian island.  The weather was beautiful today, like a perfect summer day in Victoria, cool in the morning and evening, and comfortably warm during the middle of the day.  We were glad to see blue sky again and feel the sun´s warmth. The sea is gentler, the boat rocks quite comfortably with just the occasional cocky wave surprising and wetting us.  Tavish, Jacob, Noah, and Simon had a papaya and lime party on the foredeck this morning, all of them squeezed between the port rail and the jibboom.  They got unripe papayas the day the four of them bought fishing lures and today it was ripe enough to eat.  The papayas were quite big and there were 2 of them; the boys were happy and full.  We caught two more Dorados this afternoon, quite big, about 25 and 30 lbs.  Tavish, Jacob and Noah filleted them and one of them is being marinated in teriyaki marinade in the freezer, while the other one is ready to turn into fish nuggets.  Someone said today that it is normal for Dorado to travel in twos.  Several of the crew and trainees were practicing strength exercises by hanging on the line below the main boom by the wheel, and bringing their body through their arms, and continuing through to the ground and back again.  Skipper taught a few of his tricks from his gymnastic days 25 years ago.  It was fun to watch and fun to participate.  Jen, Caelen, Paul, Jose, Noah, Elske and Skipper were some who challenged each other.  Today quite a few trainees finally had the chance to go bowsprit hanging.  Trainees don a harness and clip on to the foreward end of the bowsprit, lowering themselves into the water and then letting the boat drag them through the water.  It´s very fun.  We only allow it when we are under sail and when our speed is below 6 knots.  Some of those who tried it are Tom, Krista, Kelsey, Jen, Matt, Caelen, Tristan, Paul, and Graydon.  Claire went out on the bowsprit for the first time and was very proud of herself.  Tom, who repeatedly gets seasick, climbed up the mainmast without feeling queasy.  He brought the deck bucket along with him just in case he needed to throw up; he didn´t want to surprise those of us underneath him, what a gentleman.  As it turned out, he felt fine and was even able to go down below right after, for lunch, without any bad results.  Simon completed all of his Junior knots today in front of Jose.  He was also able to explain when the knots were to be used. Jose has decided he is ready for his very own logbook and thinks Simon may be the youngest member of any crew to learn all the knots.  Today Tom visited the resident barber; he´s getting ready for his trip to New Zealand.  Paul also stopped by for a bit of a trim.  It has been wonderful to have more time at sea; we´ve been able to spend time with our watches, chatting around tables at mealtimes.  This seems to be when we really get to know each other.  My general impression is that trainees leaving the boat would like to remain longer, but that, for many of them, there are some good things awaiting them.  Like I mentioned earlier, quite a few are continuing their travels, and this is exciting.  It will be quite different for them to be suddenly on their own, making more of their decisions, and having a much less disciplined schedule.  Karen had her watch each write something positive they´ve learned about each of their fellow watch mates on a card, which they kept.  She also had each of them write themselves a letter about the trip, which she would mail to them, from a foreign port, later in the voyage.  Sometimes the changes one has undergone aren´t apparent until one is home and in a completely different context from the boat; life on the ship becomes the norm very quickly.  The night is very dark; the moon is still not showing, though there are a few clear patches where the stars are visible.  We haven´t had many good, clear nights lately to stargaze; hopefully we will still get a few.  This is it until tomorrow, good night, Bonice.