May, 2012
We’re trying to slow down a bit, which goes against our instincts. We need to slow down to try to make it to the east end of Hiva Oa at about 7AM on Friday. We want daylight for what should be a spectacular 20 mile ride to the bay where we’ll anchor. Along the way we should be treated to lush green volcanic peaks, some 3500 feet high. I can’t wait! I’m also sorry to see the passage coming to an end.
Last night was one of our most beautiful at-sea nights. I woke Cyndi to see an almost perfectly horizontal Cheshire grin of a moon setting with Venus right along side. The sky was filled with stars and so was the sea. The stars in the sea were from bio-luminescence, plankton that gives off light when disturbed. Normally, it’s millions of tiny, tiny lights that form a cloud of green glow. Last night it was fewer, larger, individual flashes. Sometimes there was what seemed to be a cluster that would light up Frisbee-sized disk of water off to the side or back of the boat. These flashes were intensely bright green. In the distance, small breaking waves would glow with bio-luminescence. There was a nice warm breeze – the temperature dropped enough to cool us down from the hot day. Our bellies were full of a great fish dinner.
We caught that fish the day before. It was a nice sized Mahi Mahi – maybe three and a half feet long. We have had fish for every meal since then. Last night it was grilled fish with canned green beans. This morning, it’ll be fish and eggs, again. We are really hoping to catch one more fish before we head into the anchorage. It’ll be nice to be able to prepare a few meals on a boat that isn’t rolling like a mechanical bull. Hey, wouldn’t that make a great cooking channel show? Iron Chefs on a Bull! “Stephanie, this will be difficult – he’ll prepare crepes while the bull is set at 9. I don’t think it’s been done before.” Alternatively, how about “Iron Chefs on a 38 Foot Boat.” I’d watch that.
OK, I see I’ve been at sea too long. That’ll change soon enough. -Rich
