We are here....and we're going there

Aloha 6th graders!

We are experiencing our first rainy night since the start of the voyage. Luckily, the rain is light and intermittent, but the sky is completely covered with clouds. The moon is making a valiant attempt to come through the clouds, but it is no help to us as a navigational aid.  The rain, when it is squally, brings good winds, allowing us to play a little game of tag with Hikianalia. Each va'a had a tri-light at the top of the mizzen mast.  As we approach from the stern, we see the white part of the light.  As we come along the left side, we start to see the red port light...a sign that we're moving faster and passing them.

As I write this, the wind has completely died, and we are being spun in a circle.  Hikianalia seems to be experiencing the same problem, and so our course of action currently is patience. It's one of the biggest lessons of sailing; you can't always control your destiny.  You are at the whim of the ocean and wind, and you just have to go with what they dictate. It can be frustrating, but it is also a reminder to enjoy the moment, whatever it is.  It's ALWAYS a beautiful day out here, rain, shine or wind, because the experience is worth it.  Something to remember even back home! Hikianalia has been sending out position reports that are very professional sounding.  In response, we sent one to them stating "Position: we are here, course: we are going there."  Now tell me that our position report is not just as accurate! haha

Today began cloudy, but warmer than normal.  It was the first morning in the trip where I got up for watch and didn't need to put on my jacket. In fact, it warmed up enough for me to do a load of laundry, although tonight's rain isn't helping it dry.  It is a fresh water rinse, though.  Laundry is done in buckets of salt water, and is hung up on the rope part of the railing.  Rainui washed his shorts the other day and hung them up right where the sheet line for the head sail crossed.  I warned him about three times that he would lose his shorts, and sure enough, a good snap of the line took them overboard.

Last night was the advent of the Snack Wars.  We have a community box of snacks: ccokies, chocolate, trail mix and other goodies.  The goodies are supposed to be split between the watches, but one watch decided to pilfer extra snacks, including the sacred Tim-Tams, which were in a SECRET hiding spot.  After the pilferage, we decided to split the remainder of the snacks into three equal lots. We also removed the Tim-Tams from their hiding place and replaced them with a "note" from the mother of one of the bandits reminding him that too many Tim-Tams are bad for his health.  In retaliation for that, the bandits came and took pictures of us sleeping.  What that does for them, I'm not sure.  Anyway, that seemed to end the war for a bit.

This evening, we had a cloudy sunset, very red and orange, but also a red rainbow across our bow.  For the Tahitians, a rainbow is a good sign; the ancestors are with us.  As we enter into their waters, I guess it is a good sign.

There is a cold front forming to the west of us that will create good wind, and the weather experts are advising us to turn north, but also slow our progress so that we can take advantage when the winds turn from the east.  We are on a course of 55 degrees this evening, starting to make the turn for home.  As of this afternoon, we were 850 miles or so from Pape'ete, on a straight line course.  However, our course plan is not straight, and is dependent upon the winds.

Our current position is 30 degrees 30 minutes S, 154 degrees 31 minutes W.

See you soon!

Ms. Fuller