Fiji to Vanuatu

We sailed off the hook in

Fiji

and sailed most of the way to

Vanuatu

, only using the engine when the wind died out completely. The seas were calm and it was very comfortable sailing. The ship was not rolling, we did not have huge waves of water washing over the deck, and we did not have to hold on as we walked about the ship. Even when the wind blew Force 6 for the better part of a day the sea did not pile up into huge swells.

We had a couple of workshops in which the Captain instructed us on some rigging work: how to make seizings and everything there is to know about blocks and tackles. For starters, the word “tackle” is pronounced “TAY-kul” on sailing ships. We learned how to disassemble a block, grease the inner parts and put it back together again. We learned what it means for a block and tackle rig to work for advantage and for disadvantage (yes, sometimes that is necessary).

On this passage I offered the massage classes that had previously been postponed on our passage from

Tonga

to

Fiji

when the weather was too rough. With calm seas and not much happening Sunday morning, I taught two classes the basic techniques of Swedish massage. Class was held on the cargo hatch on the main deck and there was a lot of interest from those observing in addition to those taking the class. I would have offered a third class in the afternoon for the people who were on watch during the morning, but it was pre-empted by a Power Shower. I’ve had several people request that I do the class again since they missed it; probably when we are going from

Vanuatu

to

Bali

.

Since we still did not have sufficient water for fresh water showers, and we had been at sea for five days, we were delighted to have a salt water shower followed by a half bucket of fresh water for a final rinse.

After the Power Shower, the Captain announced that we would drop the skiff in the water and everyone who wanted to take photos or video of the ship under sail would have the opportunity to do so. Winds were light and we were sailing with all sails set including the stunsails, a total of 23 sails…a rather impressive sight. In the five minutes from when he announced this plan to when we were starting to lower the skiff into the water, the wind picked up and the ship’s speed went from 3 knots to 4.5 knots. Concerned that the ship might go even faster if the wind continued to fill in, the Captain called “Avast” and we cancelled the operation.

Sunday afternoon was also our last Marlinspike party in the South Pacific. We were all given a

Picton

Castle

pareu (sarong, lava lava, pareo…it’s all the same thing, no matter what it’s called), and told to dress in South Pacific style. Rather than the pareu, I opted to wear a grass skirt and ‘ei (headpiece) that I had purchased in

Tonga

. With it I wore a halter top that is a remnant from my high school days in the ’70s; the halter top made as much of an impression as the grass skirt!

On this passage I’ve been on the 12 to 4 watch with Greg, our second mate, and Amanda as lead seaman. Also on my watch are Bernie, Bruce, Erin, Ivan, Jack, JD, Jeff Hicks, Margot and Ollie. Getting up for the midnight to 4 am watch is not always easy, especially when the wake up call is so pleasant sounding that I fall right back to sleep again. That happened twice in five days…oops! Now the watch preceding mine knows to make sure I’m awake and JD, who bunks above me, also double checks to be sure I get up.