Playa Flamingo, Costa Rica
In-port
I came into my role as an Apprentice expecting some surprises, but I can’t say that taking a spin in a gyrocopter was on my 59° North bingo card.
Yesterday was filled with cleaning, passage prep, taking inventory, and a wee bit of time in the pool here at Marina Flamingo. As I was brushing my teeth before bed, Alex and Adam called me up on deck to tell me I should go flying with JC and Teresita the following morning, just as they had done right before I arrived. JC and Teresita are joining us for the passage to the Galapagos, and live just down the road from Playa Flamingo.
I was hesitant, only because I signed on to be of use, not to (literally) fly away and leave Alex and Adam to fend for themselves whilst provisioning. They assured me that it was “just grocery shopping” (an understatement) and asked me “when else are you going to have the chance to fly in a gyrocopter?” (a more valid point).
Two other crew members on this trip, Jeremy and Gayle, joined as well. I was with JC, who flew me up and down the coast, pointing out beaches, islands, the surrounding towns, and estuaries. As a map nerd, it was so awesome to get a bird’s eye view of this landscape. I wish I could share more photos.
Most of all, I was shocked at how smooth the ride was for such a small machine! Perhaps JC is just a pro pilot.
We all enjoyed a lovely coffee on the beach in Tamarindo, after which I was dropped off at Falken to resume my actual duties. These are duties that I feel lucky to have, though— I’m certainly embracing the current Falken sauna. It helps that Adam keeps our water bottles full of ice—an in-port luxury.
I’m so excited to meet the rest of the crew. While the time in the marina and in the sky has been lovely, I’m ready to set sail!
Zoe (Apprentice)
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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!