In-Port
We’ve just waved off the last of the crew at Papeete Marina, and another passage comes to an end.
Instead of the daily brief, I thought I’d sum up this trip from the eyes of this land crab. As a total novice sailor, this trip has constituted a lot of firsts. Among many, it was the first time off-shore sailing, first night watch, and first time on a sailing boat with what at the start of the trip were a bunch of strangers.
Starting off - after 4 days (for me) on the dock, getting underway was exciting. Seeing Papeete shrink into the distance, with the open ocean in front, was quite something. Being a Disney nerd, Moana’s “How far I’ll go” was blaring in my head. Awesome feels!
First night watch was a total novelty, and a breeze without kids to put back to bed. It also came with the consolation prize of the most spectacular night sky I have ever seen. Miles and miles away from any light pollution whatsoever, the Milky Way was clear as day, and the depth and magnitude of the starts felt immersive. No picture could ever capture that, but I made a pale attempt.
Sailing around the islands we’ve been spoilt rotten by spectacular sunrises and sunsets. We’ve seen dolphins frolicking, swam in pristine waters, drifted over coral in the best snorkeling I’ve ever seen. We’ve seen octopus and sharks, and tropical fish in every color and shape.
Waking up to roosters crowing and the sounds and gentle rocking of the ocean has been topped only by a cup of coffee on deck in the first morning light. I’ve slept like a baby on this boat (bar one travesty of a night), despite the heat and the noise. Maybe having a 4 year old and a 7 month old at home makes any child-less sleep appreciated?!? Nah, I miss my boys like mad by now, and can’t wait to get home and give them a huge cud.
I have to say though, out of everything, the thing I was the most nervous about before beginning this adventure was being trapped on a boat with a bunch of strangers…and it was worse that I could have ever imagined.
Jokes :) Vastly different personalities somehow learn to co-exist and thrive even on this very intimate setting. I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to each of my fellow crew members, our stalwart and luvleh Skipper, and our very enthusiastic OHMYGODAMAZINGGG Mate for this grand adventure. You’ve each brought your own totally unique perspective and companionship, and we’ve shared a lot of laughs, weird games and crazy stories. Just remember guys, that da coconat-nat iza giant nat, and if yu drrink alat yu get verry fat.
Now, does Bermuda or Madeira sound better for next year?
Tack för mig,
Natalie
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Final Blog
Falken and her crew arrived safely into port last night around 8pm boat time, 10pm Prince Rupert time. Some spicy weather was anticipated, but luckily the 35kt gusts and 2.5 meter waves were no match for this expert crew. We had an exceptionally smooth docking, despite it being Alex's first time parking this year (!). We all agreed that this was a very special group of people—I for one am so impressed with how everyone stayed so positive, helpful, and appreciative of humor despite an arguably challenging passage. We'll all return home significantly saltier than we were when we left, a mark of a passage properly sailed.
Lessons and a Gift
The biggest lesson is the helm. The lesson here is that even if you don't think you can do it over and over again with no sleep, cold and damp, it has to be done and so it can be done. Flying fish are cool, dolphins are really really cool, but the coolest of them all are the whales. And most of all Alex: "Find your center Carla. Always know where your center is so you can come back to it". He means the helm but it applies to life as well.
Making the most of it
This passage has thrown pretty much every atmospheric condition imaginable at us. It reminds us not only of how much we’ve learned, but of how far we’ve literally come since that acceleration zone off the northwest corner of Oahu. The resilience this group has shown has been nothing short of incredible, and I couldn’t be prouder to be part of it. Maybe that’s why it’s the hardest passages we remember the most. Not because they were easy, but because they reminded us what we’re capable of.
