Pacific Odyssey - Leg 7

It is still warm out, there´s a gentle little breeze blowing, and the
sun is just setting; this is one of my favorite times of the day in the
tropics, and because we know there are so few remaining, everyone is
savoring each moment.   We have had another intense but good day of
introductions from crew. Trainees are instructed in health and medical
procedures, safety and emergency procedures, dory handling and rowing, bosu=
n
related procedures, galley procedures, lesson schedules, watch routines, an=
d
they have a tour of below and above decks in their watches, with their watc=
h
officers pointing out to them where everything is.  There is a lot to
remember, but in a few days much of the knowledge will have come into play
and will become a part of their shipboard life.   At 1430 hrs trainees were
free to explore Honolulu, visit the beach, and do last minute errands.  The
sun shone gloriously today; it was very hot.  We have a few sunburns and
cases of heat rash; the aloe vera is making its rounds.  We are fortunate t=
o
have both a registered nurse (Leighsa) and watch officer trained in
Wilderness First Aid (Sarah B) on board; we are well looked after.
Christina had her hair cut professionally; it looks great and will be easy
to look after on the passage.  The nearby surf-clothing store ´Honolua´ is
having an amazing 50% off sale and many of the crew and trainees are
checking to see if there´s anything there they may need. After dishes a
group is going for ice cream and to see a film at the $1 Movie Theater, a
great deal, but I´ve heard some of the movies are not that good.   We are
leaving Honolulu at 0230 hrs tomorrow morning   It should be a nice sail
over and take about 12 hours.  We are looking forward to leaving the city
and being on the water. I am looking forward to getting to know the new
trainees and to building our community.  We will be working in our watches
tomorrow, standing 4 hours at a time.  Tomorrow I will introduce the watche=
s
and the trainees in each watch, a wonderful idea from Adam´s mom.  Thank
you.  I would like to wish my little nephew Salal a terrifically fun day on
his 6th birthday today, May 10th.   Happy Birthday Salal, so much love from
Simon, Noah, Jacob, Arwen, Becca, Elsa, Auntie Bonice, and Uncle Tony; we
will see you soon.  Tomorrow is Mother´s Day and we would like to wish all
mothers, grandmothers, and stepmothers an incredible day with their childre=
n
and family. Here are some personal wishes from trainees and crew.
-      Happy Mother´s Day, see you in a few weeks, love from Antony.
-      Happy Mother´s Day, thank you for everything! From Tristan.
-      Have a good day, get dad to take you somewhere, Blake.
-      Hope you have a wonderful Mother´s Day, love Chris Epps.
-      Hi mom . . . I can´t think of anything else to say . . . love Steve.
-      Greetings from Honolulu!  Have fun with Baby Brother! Chris P.
-      Mom, thanks for loving me so much! Love Jordan T.
-      Hi mom, thanks for always supporting me and know that you are loved
and appreciated for all that you do, love Raven.
-      Happy Mother/Oma´s day.  It was good to talk to you both, love Adam.
-      Best wishes for a wonderful Mother´s Day; I look forward to seeing
you soon and trading stories with you and the family.  God bless and love t=
o
you mom, Emily.
-      Thanks for everything you are and do.  The trip was wonderful! Miss
you, love you, Happy Mother´s Day, love Caley.
-      Mum, here is a bunch of love from the middle of the Pacific; you are
amazing, love Adrienne.
-      Mom, you´re the best; I miss you lots, love Maddie.
-      Thank you for everything mum (and dad)!  I wouldn´t be here if it
wasn´t for you =ADall my love and God bless, Rona.
-      Happy Mother´s Day Colleen, I´m looking forward to sharing
experiences; not long now, love Gillian.
-      Happy Mother´s Day; have a wonderful day with all the family, love
you so much, Katie.
-      Happy Mother´s Day! Thank you for bringing me into the world and
never taking me out, no matter what I did, love James.
-      Aloha mom, have a great day; I hope it´s sunny for you today, Mark.
-      Mom, you rock my socks, love Selena Rose!
-      Hey mom, have a great Mother´s Day and send my best to grandma, love
the good twin.
-      Hi mom, Happy Mother´s Day from your favorite son Sean.
-      Hi mom, Happy Mother´s Day.  It´s not long now, love you, Tony.
-      Have a great day mom, love lola.  I have a massive heat rash, not so
great, ha ha, Keith.
-      Happy Mother´s Day! Have a fantastic day, love Sarah B.
-      Mama, ik wens je een fantastische dag met Monique, Bob, Silas, en
Salal; wij zijn bijna weer thuis, sterkte. Thank you for all the love,
support and encouragement you have given all of us during this entire
voyage; what a day we´ll soon have!  Love Bonice.
-      Happy Mother´s Day; I can´t wait to see you, love Christina.
-      Thank you for your support and encouragement.  I have treasured the
time we had together in Hawaii, love Leighsa.
-      Hi mom! I can´t wait to see you in Victoria.  Thank you for your
love, support and for being such a wonderful mom! Sara R.
-      Hey mother dearest! It´s amazing, only 5 weeks left before I get to
see you again.  Thanks for your endless support and love.  You´re the best!=
!
Susan.
-      Mom, so good to see you again; love you lots, Jordan C.
I think we actually got everyone except for Jose, whose mother is still her=
e
in Hawaii with him.  He will be able to hug her in person.  Happy Mother´s
Day to all of you; we wish you a perfect day.  Until tomorrow, good-night,
Bonice.