Location: Underway to Mauritius
It’s been seven days since I moved into the staysail cover, that is, in my hammock strung under the staysail boom. It’s been nice, incredible sleep, and the first thing I see when I wake up is the beautiful blue waters and coconut palms swaying in the wind. Swapping my fan for the ever-persistent south-easterly tradewinds has been quite the upgrade. But today I got evicted and its back down to my cozy bunk for a while! Today was our last day in Cocos. We raised the anchor right after lunch and are officially on our way to Mauritius. This morning we got our last time on Direction Island, everyone went ashore to touch some sand, play volleyball and collect sea glass.
I spent my morning searching for the manta ray we saw within our first few hours of arriving and haven’t seen it since. I was unsuccessful but got to fend off some small reef shark gangs, and at one point, I turned my head and nearly ran into a massive sea turtle that snuck up on me. It surprised me, but I stayed still, and it came even closer, within arms reach, and just watched me. I thought it was coming up for air and I had been in the right place at the right time, instead all it wanted to do was stare at me for a while, until it spooked and swam away. It was a really special experience. After returning from the island, we began passage prep, secured the deck, and put away all the dive gear. Then we departed our little oasis, away from the calm waters of the lagoon and out into the high seas. Farewell land, farewell green things and fruit, farewell ocean showers, farewell walking in straight lines on the boat, farewell coconuts and Riley. I’m excited to be back on passage again, to be moving with the wind, and to chase the sunsets. I’m excited about what the future has in store for us and how being surrounded by this ocean every day will change how we think about the world.
How perception of time begins to warp and routinely takes over. How surreal it feels down in your bunk at night, knowing there’s miles of water below your bed. What a unique experience. Next stop, Mauritius! To Peter Jovial Sky bamboo and indigo, I love you, family! I hope you’re having a blast in the California sky! Can’t wait to talk to you guys again! Give bamboo and gogo a treat from me. Pop, I hope you send your project by the time I’m back. I can’t wait to hear about the bathhouse, Mom! Miss you guys so much. Attached are some underwater photos from Cocos. Bodhi