Location: Fiji to Palua
Waves, wind, boat… that’s all there is. As the passage continues, everything slips away into the cycles of watches and boat checks. The 22 of us may control the boat, but we are only along for this ride through a blue abyss. The weightlessness of a passage is surprisingly soothing. It was smooth sailing through the night, the slight waves (0.5-1.25 m) no problem at all. We did not even notice the trip computer ticking past 1000; everything proceeded as normal. Well, I say ‘normal,’ but there is no such thing on a boat. Our marine biology and seamanship classes ended as quickly as they began, but then it started to rain. Then it began to rain even harder, we were now in a squall. It was an exhilarating break from pace as we donned foulies and rushed on deck to tend to the sails. We powered through, shouting commands and wrestling with the lines and helm. Now drenched, we laughed about the whole ordeal over lentil soup and cornbread. It was a long day, but we made it together. It doesn’t matter what the time or date is, we all have a job to do and the present to enjoy.