Rocket Launched into the Trades

Ahoy land lubbers!

First Mate Pheebs here, tho as Mary loves to remind me, there’s not a second mate onboard FALKEN :) . But Mate Pheebs just don’t have the same ring to it! We are moving happily along at a very steady clip on our passage to Hawaii! Falken is in her element and absolutely eating up miles as we soak in the stiff easterly trade winds. The first 12 hours of our passage delivered consistent SOG of 10kts, much to everyone’s thrill and delight on board. For FALKEN veterans, it felt like coming home to an old friend. And for our first timers, the exhilaration of sailing a ”real boat” (as they’ve all affectionately been calling her) was palpable. Mary and I were very happy to welcome on our apprentice Emily who will be sailing home to base in Hawaii with us. Our first few days of passage went off without a hitch and we were able to enjoy a relaxed but efficient pace in getting all our briefings done and everything set to go for the passage.

One of the beautiful things about french-influenced nations is the absolute abundance of croissants and banquettes at our disposal to spruce up the galley fixings while alongside. We actually had a Christmas miracle take place in anticipation of Mary’s birthday (she loves how much of a deal I’m making about it). Right after we said goodbye to the leg 6 crew, we wandered into town and found what Mary claims to be the best almond croissant of her life. Having seen the proverbial light in pastry form we faithfully went back to the same pastry every that we were alongside, hope burning brightly in our hearts that we would once again be graced by these legendary almond croissants. Alas, it was to no avail, and as the days started ticking away until our eventual departure from Papeete, we saw the hope dying in Skipper Mary’s heart. On our final morning before we welcomed the guests onboard, Mary, with one last flicker of hope and belief, ventured out in the off chance we would see these croissants glimmering in the boulangerie windows once more. But she came back empty handed. Emily and I ran out for one final provisioning run and to our sheer and utter disbelief, we found the croissants in the bakery! The baker’s even told us that they thought us of this morning while baking them and were hoping we’d stop by (after harassing them for days and days about them). So the crew of Leg 7 were welcomed on board FALKEN with the most heavenly almond croissants on the face of the earth and if that doesn’t set the tone for an epic trip, I’m not sure what does!

My glow from yesterday was certainly how smooth we all got off the dock and it was one of the most streamlined departures for a huge crossing that I’ve seen. We had to check ourselves out of customs and all traveled as a squad to the Papeete airport. The customs officer very kindly set aside each passport of all the June birthdays we have (three of which are on this trip alone! New record?) and said he would charge us a $50 fine each for not having the party in Tahiti and inviting him. We negotiated and thankfully walked away unscathed. The crew got everything prepped and ready to go so smoothly, and we were escorted out of the harbor by a pod of dolphins en route to Moorea! So magical! We have so much to look forward to, between Mary’s, Joey’s, and Ted’s birthdays on the horizon, an equator crossing ceremony and perhaps a visit from Neptune, as well as summer solstice at sea (we’ll be in the N. Hemisphere by then!) and for Emily and Kip to sail home! So much to celebrate and loads to be grateful for. Stay tuned!