Location: Underway to Christmas Island
By 10h30, Bali was behind us; its white sand beaches and orange roofs were growing smaller and smaller as we motored out of Serangan. By 11h00, the forward and main staysails were raised, their lines coiled and hung, and the horizon seemed to be beckoning us with clear skies and endless ocean blue. By 11h30, I was seasick. Faced with the sheer inhospitality of salt water, today was hot and sleepy. Chef Amanda (not Drazka) made blueberry oat bars for breakfast, a delicious kale meatloaf that I lost over the starboard side rail, and then two salads for dinner. Huzzah! I paint an ugly picture but its not all bad; usually after a day on passage my stomach settles.
I took a brief break to sit on deck and feel the wind on my face, which always helps up above, the constellations are revealing themselves (one star at a time). First out is always Scorpius and the red blinking light of Antares, the scorpions heart. Venus sits nigh in conjunction with the moon nearby. The Summer Triangle hangs eastward, and I make particular note of Altair. I was just informed Ali saw whales this morning. What else? Classes were light. We took personality quizzes in Leadership and, based on our answers, were divided into four groups. I ended up in the Yellow group (cardinal fire) with Travis, Hannah, Kiley, Philip, and Amanda. We are the go-getters who lead in a style of not thinking, just doing. In the Red group (cardinal earth) was Drazka, the logistic planner. The Blue group (cardinal water) featured Ava and Bodhi, the dreamers among us who see the big picture. The Green group (Cardinal Air) was Ainsley, Ali, and Charlie, who led by managing people.
Marine Biology was light because all of the screens decided to stop working aaaand I just lost my dinner over the starboard siderail too! As we sail, so too do we suffer. Kackie brought me some electrolyte juice with salt and a rice cracker. Tomer held my glasses for me, and Travis kept me company. To my fellow Argonauts reading or re-reading this in some months or years time: thank you for making this trip what it was. The view is quite remarkable once your meal speeds out of view. As the boat cuts over the waves, hundreds of tiny bioluminescent plankton light up and trail off astern like stardust. Its dark enough now that you cant quite tell the faraway ocean from the sky, and we might as well be floating on an upwind gust. In five days time, well be moored at Christmas Island. Oh, how I love Christmastime. Ill see you there, brothers, and look for you in the green forest and sky blue. Go to Julias for Thanksgiving! Do it! Mum, however many cuddles youve been giving Sheba on my behalf, its not enough. Go now. Sheba brrpt!