day 2

2024-6 | FALKEN | Jamaica-Cuba
Emily Caruso
Emily Caruso

EmilyCaruso

Passage Blog
Wednesday, April 17, 2024

The pole made an appearance overnight as we waved goodbye to the lights of Jamaica that accompanied us for the first part of our passage yesterday. As always, the first night involved some coaching on the helm as each of our crew settled into life under sail aboard Falken. The weather appears to be favourable in terms of facilitating our aspired stop in Grand Cayman, and so as I type, we continue to make fast speed and a good course to our waypoint there.

Chris made a delicious vegetarian feast last night, and Natalie surpassed herself once more this morning with a surprise breakfast of French toast for a delighted crew. There are rumours from the on watch that dolphins made an appearance at dawn, which never fails to lift the spirits after the first night at sea. We are already halfway, it would seem, and spirits are high on the good ship FALKEN.

- Emily

EmilyCaruso

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Seasickness

But maybe, I thought, with some drugs I could stay ahead of it. The first 48 hours I felt horrible. But luckily with 3 health care professionals on board and in a very encouraging environment, my body found its way. Anyway, someone offered me a patch (unavailable in Canada) and someone else gave me some pills for nausea and now I feel much, much better.

22/8/2026
Seasickness

Dolphins and Bioluminescence

We had a good run with the sails but weather has changed and we are once again chasing the wind. Everyone is getting a chance to practice helming in big swell; starting to get a feel of the wind and water and how it pushes and pulls the hull. A pod of dolphins came to visit at night, splashing in the bioluminescent water, and again in the day, dancing in the bow wake. For now enjoying the calmer sea state and falling asleep to the rumble of the engine and the gentle whooshing of the water on the hull.

21/8/2026
Dolphins and Bioluminescence

Greetings from Lala Lemonshark

The brave crew is toughing it out and staying cheerful despite being tossed around. The engine is off and we are true sailing-main and jib. In the first 12 hours we saw two pods of Orca and four humpback whales, two of which were 20 yards off the starboard beam!

20/8/2026
Greetings from Lala Lemonshark