Location: Underway to Palau
The sail to Palau continues, and we are all grateful for the fair winds that are propelling us forward. A lull in the wind required a brief stint motoring, so it was with joy that we raised the sails again to silence our engine. There is no doubt in the competence of our crew in sail handling now. Everyone is learning their knots, adjusting our sail trim with ease, and not even a midnight jibe or two can faze anyone. Islands have been spotted far in the distance, and we must remind ourselves our journey is still only beginning it will be many days before any one of us will set foot ashore. After a night full of ghost stories on late-night and early morning watches, some thought a ghost ship had come to ferry our souls to the underworld when a ship abruptly appeared on our radar 10 miles away and rapidly approaching. Yet the ghost ship was no less than the RV Nautilus itself, the famed exploration vessel searching the deep seas for new discoveries. We wished them fair seas with a VHF call, and they responded in kind before fading off into the distance in search of something new. Our day was full of blue skies and gentle breezes, with the calm sea state being very productive for learning and a break from the excitement of the heavy sea state of the past week. Every day is new and exciting, and we are growing closer and closer as a group. Bula and see you soon!