Pacific Odyssey - Leg 6

It has been a beautiful day and I feel we are starting to fall into the
routine that makes a longer passage so wonderful.  Everyone is feeling well
and is involved in all aspects of normal ship routine i.e. standing watch,
doing dishes, eating meals below, participating in lessons etc.  It is all
very good.  We were happy to see Gabriel vertical again and eating with us
below decks; he even volunteered this morning to be interviewed by a
Victoria news reporter via satellite.   A woman by the name of Vivian
contacted the Pacific Grace this morning and interviewed Skipper and several
trainees, looking for initial impressions of this voyage.  Sara R., Raven,
Sophie, and Gabriel all had a chance to say something.  Tristan and Gillian
braved the cold sea water and showered with the bucket this morning, a full
shower, hair wash and all . . . brrrrr.  They both said it was cold but very
refreshing and they felt better after having cleaned.  The rest of us
continue to clean in the heads with rubbing alcohol, baby wipes, soap and
water, or . . . not at all.  As we approach Hawaii, we are hoping the water
will become warmer and showering will be less traumatic.  Trainees continued
studying their pins today, standing by lines, shaking them, staring up and
up, trying to see to which sail the end is attached, and remembering the
name for that particular line.  Sara R. started knitting her second sock and
Molly is on her way to building a hat.  Jose shared his mongolian Yak
cheese, a gift from Jenny, a good friend in Beijing, and told stories of his
time there.  Wil and Kaitlyn, two new trainees, traveled to Beijing and
Shanghai before joining the ship in Osaka and it was fun to swap stories.
Emma, Wil, and Steve were interrogated in their watches today.  Katie made
pizzas for supper with help from Kira, Leighsa, Wil, Maddie, Susan, and
James.  Pizza is a big job and a big treat; we appreciate it.  The sailing
today has been fabulous, exactly the kind one dreams of.  The wind has
picked up again and is blowing onto the starboard beam.  We sailed all day
under the four lowers, trysail, foresail, jumbo, and jib, making a
consistent 7.5- 8.5 knots, lovely.  The seas are more regular, there is a
gentle side-to-side motion with big seas coming from the stern, lifting up
the ship and moving forward under her, then being expelled at the bow.  This
continues over and over and over again . . . it is perfect, like trade wind
sailing, I wish you could experience it; it continues in this way for hours,
we aren´t even aware of it after awhile; our little community goes on with
its various duties and activities while the ship keeps on its steady course.
The sound is mesmerizing; the water repeatedly makes big swooshing noises as
the ship surges forward with the sea underneath her, and the wind is heard
blowing through the rigging and along the belly of the sails . . . one can
sit and watch the water and listen to the sounds for hours  . . . this is a
part of offshore I want to remember once I´m home.   Today we saw an
albatross.  We also saw a flock of flying fish skimming over the sea before
re-entering the water; it´s beautiful to see the sea birds and the flying
fish.  For me flying fish indicate that we are moving south to warmer waters
and the albatross reminds us we are far out to sea; both are comforting
thoughts.  It is a nice night, there are stars and though it is colder, it
is not icy cold like the nights near China.  Last night the stargazing book
made it on deck and trainees were looking for constellations.  There is no
moon which means stars are easier to pick out.  Jose, Gillian and Molly
played guitar for Mug-Up tonight in the hold; this group sings well and we
had a fun evening.  Katie made a big pot of steamed vanilla milk to go with
the singing.  Yes, it has been a good day.  Until tomorrow, good-night,
Bonice.