"Arctracer" Letters

Update 1 - At Sea 4 February 2013

Hullo from my giant waterbed!

I've been mainly in bed for over 24 hours. Seasickness. Trying to stay hydrated.

The first 24 hours at sea were pretty good!

I did some filming on the first afternoon and then got out my journal to do some writing on deck. As I sat down, I looked to my left and a big seal was making his way up the steps of the catamaran! I ran to grab my camera (and Plastic Kyle MacLachlan). He (the seal, not Kyle) sat up tall looking defiant as I got a little footage. At Jerry's suggestion, I grabbed a broom and chased him back into the ocean.

When we started picking up speed, I sat at the bow of the boat, hoping we'd see some dolphins, but no luck.

Mom made palak paneer and rice for dinner and I was feeling well enough for two servings...so delicious!

After dinner I went to bed, where I stayed for at least 12 hours.

When I got up I was still feeling good. At some point Mom pointed ahead of us. She saw something...a fish? Within a couple minutes we realized there were porpoise(s?) - dozens of them came up next to and in front of the boat. We whooped and hollered to encourage them as they jumped and played around us. There were so many! Mom said she'd never encountered such a large school. They were with us for over 40 minutes.

Excited, I went to my computer to download photos and video. Bad idea! That was when I started feeling ill.

Being in bed at sea is an interesting experience. There are so many dramatic sounds and motions. As sails go up and down and wheels turn and we make our way through 3 meter waves (truth), my imagination has gone wild. At one point I thought Jerry had fallen and broken his leg. I checked on him and he hadn't fallen at all... I've also imagined giant fish jumping on and sliding across the deck and whales butting against the bottom of the boat. Unlikely...right?!

Speaking of imagination, I guess we didn't have Google when I was in high school literature because albatross look nothing like I expected them to. Yup, we've seen them. We've also seen lots of flying fish, which are so cool to watch! When I'm feeling better and one lands on board (which a couple have done already) I'll photograph Plastic Kyle with one.

We're making good time so far and the wind is now mostly at our back. I think a few of you will be interested in plotting out our course. Jerry records our coordinates on occasion. I'll give you the first one he took on Saturday before we left Walvis Bay as well as the noon readings on Sunday and today.

Saturday 2/2 22,51 S / 14,27 E

Sunday 2/3noon 22,09 S / 12,07 E

Monday 2/4noon 21,29 S / 9,44 E

I will try to write again in a few days. Right now it's back to 2 minute noodles and Gatorade (or the Namibian equivalent)...

Love & miss you!

Toodles,

Sailor Hilary