Pacific Odyssey - Leg 5

It´s been a great day: several of us commented on how the sun no longer feels as intense, although temperatures are still in the mid-thirties. The air and the water are becoming cooler and remind us of weather closer to that of the Hawaiian Islands.  Skipper heard that the temperature in Shanghai is -2 degrees Celsius.  Soon the ´sauna´ the Anderson boys have been sleeping and sweating in for the past 7 months will be the cabin of choice and Katie and Gillian will have 24 hour company in the galley. Last night our cabin registered 31 degrees Celsius: it looks like we will be experiencing a drastic temperature change in the next two weeks. We nearly caught a fish but it got away. Chase purchased a new reel, one that is good for heavier fish and we are excited to catch something on it. Anthony taught an intermediates lesson today while Jordan and chase took sights and practiced their celestial navigation. Crew and trainees are finding they are getting used to the motion quicker third time around, although there are still a few visiting the rail. We are sailing nicely under trysail, foresail, jumbo and jib. The sea is quite lumpy and water continues to spray over the starboard rail and get scooped up through the scuppers. Motion is somewhat mixed up: corkscrew-like, with the ship moving side-to-side as well as fore and aft. Bec, Caley, Graham, Robyn, Katie and Gillian braved the motion to have a bucket shower. Caley lost her conditioner and soap through the scupper and yesterday Karen lost her balance, fell on top of Brailey who was resting on a deck box, and lost her hat over the rail. The night is clear and the moon is shining brilliantly: the temperature for us feels cool and we have put on our sweat shirts, though it´s probably still 25 degrees Celsius. Until tomorrow, good night, Bonice.