Pacific Odyssey - Leg 5

Well, we´ve done it, we´ve untied our lines and now we´re bouncing and rolling around on the ocean once again, though this time it is very, very cold.  Haruji and Iishi were at the dock to see us off. Haruji has been an amazing friend and very helpful.  I think he enjoyed coming by the ship, visiting with Jordan and skipper and seeing Noah, Jacob, and Simon playing, climbing and swinging so comfortably on the deck and in the rigging.  Haruji is 72 years old and still working as boss engineer with 3 shops running well with a good number of men working for him.  We left Naha at 1300hrs under a partially cloudy sky.  There were a few times this morning when the warmth of the sun made it through and it was very pleasant to sit on deck.  Robyn baked ginger molasses cookies as soon as we were out at sea: they were delicious.  We celebrated Valentine´s Day today with some being more into it than others.  Greg called it ´lonely bachelorhood day´ but admitted he didn´t mind the chocolates people put in his ´mailbox.´  Arwen and Sarah B. made mail envelopes for everyone on board and taped them by their bunk.  Who ever wanted could put some valentine wishes or goodies into them.  We were wonderfully surprised how good and inexpensive the chocolate in Japan is.  We are glad to be on our way, quietly getting used to being at sea again and doing our best to stay warm.  Life aboard ship has moved to below decks: a big change from the past 8 months.  We are now happy for the extra heat put out by the engine and wishing it would again give us running hot water in the crew head.  On Antony´s watch we raised the trysail, the foresail and the jumbo.  The wind is blowing fine on our starboard bow and so we have left the engine going to help keep us on our course to Shanghai.  It is only 2030hrs but the foc´sle and the hold are quiet, nearly everyone is asleep or reading quietly in their bunk with a headlamp.  The motion is quite intense and after 2 weeks on the beach, it takes awhile for everyone to get used to it again. The watch officer on watch and the helmsman are bundled up against the cold and keeping each other company.  Until tomorrow, good night, Bonice.