PRE-DEPARTURE, DAY 2
The feeling of excitement has been growing amongst the crew as we finish preparing for our voyage to Mindelo. Today was all about weather briefings, routing, and pilotage, and looking at some of the other safety equipment that Falken has to offer. The crew took some last-minute downtime to pick up any luxury items, and local shopkeepers commented on how many boats were waiting out the weather for a more favourable window. It's been a perfect combination of sail training, preparation, and familiarisation, and as the sun returns to us, we are ready to embark on the epic journey ahead. The excitement is tangible! / 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.
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!