Day 3
Saturday, May 5, 2024
Another day of stunning sailing onboard the good ship FALKEN. It has been fascinating to witness the change of temperature since our departure from Cuba. Although the sun has been present every day since then, it has clearly cooled down to a lovely temperature, even needing a hoodie at night! We're still upwind and we're still very quick. Today we crossed our halfway point of the trip and we only have a little less than 600 nautical miles to go—just as far as a Fastnet Race.
This morning we were very fortunate to witness an incredible moonrise followed by an even more stunning sunrise! We have also been very lucky with the stars and we've been stargazing every single night, identifying different constellations and learning about different stories and mythology.
Everyone onboard is doing great and the helming has been super smooth; everyone has definitely qualified for upwind helming! Hopefully, on tomorrow's blog I can tell you all about the beautiful downwind sailing that is coming...
- Alex
laline96@gmail.com
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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.
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.
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!