Yep - we're the big fat yellow dot. For the keen viewers of BBC's Pointless among you, you'll spot Vanuatu in the top righthand corner. Always good for any question requiring obscure countries. Other quiz shows are available. Getting to this point hasn't been entirely plain sailing - for the first couple of days we were ever so uncomfortable. We had 20 knots of wind directly on the bow, so we couldn't sail. With 2m swell and 2.5kt of tide going against us, we were doing an painfully slow 3-4kts speed over ground. One member of crew was seasick for about 3 days. Although we have never suffered ourselves we have all the sympathy in the world for people who do. We've both had students who can't even remember their own name, they were so badly affected by it. It's such a shame because it ruins the magic of sailing.
Just as we were craving a return to the Canaries (well, not quite ;-) ) the wind changed about 7pm on the 1st. It veered to a lovely South-Easterly. 30-35kts and we were finally able to turn off the gentle hum of the engines and sail. The swell picked up to about 3m beam on, so bit uncomfortable but at last we were on our way with a steady 7-8kts speed over ground.
It was my watch from 0000-0200, and the night was perfect. I've always loved night sailing, but the pacific really showed off that night, the stars swallowed the sky and the phosphorescence in the water was sparkling like fairy dust tumbling from every wave. All the crew were asleep and me smiling to myself like a fool, feeling completely thankful and in awe that I'm able to experience this.
4 days on, we are still under sail and haven't once had to use the iron topsail. The swell has picked up to about 3-4m and the wind is 35-40kts. Although beautiful, the pacific is really not to be messed with, it's so powerful with every wave that strikes us. It maybe just me but it seems more powerful than any other sea we have sailed in. The heat is obviously rising every degree closer to the equator. The cabins are sometimes unbearably hot. Two members of crew are now a bit sea sick and I think people are starting to get a bit bored, Even Franco has picked up a book to read! I've never seen him do that for pleasure. I will get a picture just to prove it!
The wildlife watching is a big fat disappointment. We've been keeping a sharp look out for any exciting sharks or whales but NADA! In fact, this morning is the first time we have seen a pod of dolphins since the first few days! We have caught several fish, none of which were too exciting, just tuna-like fishies and today we caught a GINORMOUS amazingly coloured fish, it had blue, yellow, purple rainbow like scales and was about a metre long. No pictures because it escaped. Secretly I was so thankful, because despite everyone telling me that is was the best tasting fish, I couldn't have watched such a beautiful creature be killed. We came to Australia with the excitement of a 3 year old at Christmas in the hope to see some awesome sharks, whales and crocs. So unfair. (Editor - if you do see a croc, don't go for the closeup!)