This afternoon we could already log 1000 nautical miles in the Pacific. Last Saturday we left Balboa. De wind meter was showing zero wind when we threw off the bow line and the engine slowly pushed us out of the marina. The thermometer worked much better with 33° C early in the morning.
SAYING GOOD BYE TO THE SLOW LIFE
As we gained more speed and the distance to the rock shone quay got bigger, we felt the energy coming back into our body. The numbers on the wind meter slowly got bigger. Even though it was only the wind we feel because we're moving, it was still better than the moist heat alongside the dock which made every movement painful and energy costly. We left the slow life behind since we left the marina.
The log and wind meter completely agreed the first 600 miles. Our speed was exactly the same as the wind. Only on day three we had some real wind coming in. Although at the first it came from the direction we were supposed to be heading, soon that changed. We hoisted the sails, we braced the yards and said the motor goodbye for a while.
ENJOYING LIFE WITHOUT SAILS
We really did enjoy every day, even without the sails up. Dolphins came to say hi to us and we even spotted wales and sea turtles! A bird of prey accompanied us for two days and other sea birds flew around the ship, hoping that somewhere the could catch a fleeing fish.
Our life at sea also has some less romantic moments. We do a lot of maintenance work and of course we need to keep on training for emergency situations. For a fire drill trying to get in a very warm suit is part of the job. But after finishing the drill there's always this moment to enjoy sailing to the fullest. And when the forecast seems to be right, the engine can stay put for the first 600 miles...
11°32’N 095°07’W