Sept. 26th: Spun Sunrises

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19 49.90 S
155 15.29 W

Volpaia Time: 0845

Speed: 7.6 knots
Wind: 03 knots SW 235
Course: 249T
Seas: 1-4ft
Motoring along
Crew: Sleeping. Cyrus & I on deck & I am writing

Comments:
The wind died. Just went away. So we began motoring last night. The bad news... we are motoring and there is now the constant drone of the engine. The good news? The wind is so light and conditions so nice, that Brett was able to grill Wahoo on deck last night for our Jamaican Jerk grilled fish tacos...complete with his homemade corn tortillas & fine selection of hot sauces. We also enjoyed a colorful ceviche for lunch... yes, dad, complete with some of your dried habanero mixed in (or "Donned Up" as they put it). It was a bit of a shock to sunburned lips, but well worth it!

The boys are sleeping. It is that perfect morning for our night watchers to get some good rest. Cyrus & I woke to a circle of clouds and streaking rain surrounding us. Rainbows peaked through the storms lit by the tangerine sunrise and a tropic bird floated by for a rig inspection, staring down at us he squeeks his good morning. Peter & Colby were on watch as we took over at sunrise. As if he is speaking to himself, Peter states, "I never thought sunrises were as nice as sunsets." Long pause, "But this morning I changed my mind". The rising sun spun the clouds to gold in dazzling wisps of color... the ocean reflects gold. Now, the sun hides behind the darker clouds.. this makes for perfect sleeping... a cooler, darker morning and calm seas. I expect there will be well rested crew among us shortly. The water has turned to long smooth rollers that the Pacific is famous for. Like a sleeping giant, it is as if the ocean is also resting... breathing in.. we drive up the hill... breath out... we glide down the hill. Muscles slowly stretch and there is a yawn, and Volpaia easily slides up and over, down and around, lazily making our way to Rarotonga. This is the only place we can stop as the islands have few protected anchorages and are impossibly shallow where there is protection. We can only fit in the small port harbor if it is not too crowded. It is not a very protected harbor, so we will be careful and will not be able to stay long. We just hope to top off some produce and re-fuel before making our way to Tonga. ~ Brooke

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