Sea. Peace, one with self, nature at its rawest!

Leaving behind New Caledonia 21 June shortest day of the year, where festivals of music 🎶 💃 are entertaining thousands of locals & tourists.

The dawn awakened beautifully, our anchorage surrounded by rich green vegetation spilling with red soil to salty basin below.

Safety procedures complete, we  exited the Havannah pass … steep swells .. troughs open … waves spraying the boat with salty foam. Calmer waters on the other side of pass had us Sailing, Main & Headsail trimmed, we began our voyage slotting into passage mode. Our watches arranged , mine 12 -3….I soak up the sun on the bow before watch.

The day was glorious, great sailing passing Île des Pins (Island of Pines) on our starboard to gain the angle to turn & head for Fiji.

Life onboard began with 2 new crew, an uncertainty of what lies ahead for all us, personalities need to gel & a weather prediction is just that, realistically we are now in the hands of the Weather Gods & Murphy.

Fish on at sunset, sushimi, crumbed fish, crew ideas called out … taste buds tantalised…Skipper took a moment to slow the boat as it was a struggle to reel fish in, pop, lost it! Oh well meat potatoes, beans & jus it is.

Sleep is a must, as midnight sees me back on deck…the auto pilot whirs & disturbs, my belly flips…my subconscious says please don’t be sick … the conditions are great … what’s going on body…many years travelling without feeling the slightest bit ill, but lately it appears more often.

I finally dose listening to soft meditation music, but all too soon I wake again tossing & turning, the alarm bell sounds, time to relieve crew.

The wind has died, the main sail only remains & the port engine is started to continue speed at 5-5.5 kts. Dark clouds surrounded, they look more ominous then they are … they pass with no rain or increase in wind, no necessary adjustments to sails.

I start to take in my 360 deg view!

Green tea & lemon 🍋 to soothe my throat & warm me.

The stars are magic at sea they always send me back to my childhood when I lay on the grass looking up at the twinkling city….It’s a moonless night the dark skies highlights the sparkle of the stars & the brilliance of the Milky Way splayed.

Unlike a fire staring into the flames 🔥 I am mesmerised for hours gazing ..the wind abates more …

Planets & Satelites are often a source of frustration in the tired hours on watches … is it a boat ? You almost convince yourself it is, even though your thought process eliminates all reasoning it’s too high … too bright … you start to think of altering course or calling this imaginary vessel 🚢 & just like that it disappears!  Planet Venus is the culprit this time!

My watch is over sleep beckons again … I lay in the saloon bed … only doze as  I am on call for new crew on watch.

The voyage is ending I spent 4 1/2 days at Sea … no vessels or radio communication the entire passage … only the stars ✨ ocean … a few birds, rainbow 🌈 sunsets to keep me company along with 3 others on board & it always makes me a little sad … how lucky am I to experience nothingness your totally in a world of your own.

Totally In the hands of nature, sometimes it tests you, but I am always in awe & humbled I am travelling in my home on a vast ocean …. & I’m not scared! I love it!

A yoga experience at Sea. Peace, one with self, nature at its rawest!

(photo credit Endles Smiles )