Pacific Odyssey - Leg 5

Our passage has taken longer than usual and we are all thankful.  It has been an incredible day: the sky was clear and blue and temperatures were warmer during the middle of the day.  People were taking advantage of being on deck around the wheel, feeling the warmth of the sun and being able to shed some layers of clothing.  This is our final time together and we are savoring every moment.  We anchored last night for 5 hours to wait for slack tide at a narrow passage called Kurushima Kaikyo, East of Hiroshima.  The tide runs through at a terrific speed and within minutes of slack it was working against us at 5 knots and we were just making 1.5kts against it.  Today the traffic of freighters and fish boats has been heavy and steady and watch officers and Skipper are monitoring ships constantly.  Trainees and crew spent the day standing watch, reading, knitting, sleeping, writing, listening to music and playing games, either up on deck or below in the hold. Ilya scraped, sanded and oiled our oldest deck box, an original one from the Robertson II.  It looks good. Fore watch cleaned and painted the winch for work watch.  It is good to have a few more chances to sit around the table in our watches: in Hiroshima fore watch and port watch went out for a final supper together.  At 1930hrs we sailed under the Akashi Kaikyo Ohashi Bridge, the largest suspension bridge in the world.  It is the largest in terms of distance between supports. It´s 2 kilometers long and covered in lights: it is beautiful.  In Osaka there are several family members and friends who will be visiting the ship: we are very excited and counting off the days.  Antony´s parents and former trainee Tristan and his dad will be in Osaka for several days.  Tristan is returning as volunteer bosun´s mate and sailing with us to Victoria.  Our e.t.a. is 2100hrs tonight: we will anchor for the night and tie up tomorrow at first light at the Universal Studios dock.  Until then, good night, Bnice.