Shortly after writing the last post, I met the true Indian Ocean and now am firmly in its grip. Its not a kind ocean, the swells today are up to 20 feet, the waves on top of those areup to 10 feet, the wind is thankfully 20 knots from the ESE(this morning 30 knots)and the sea state is utterly confused. Boats are jostled and tossed by the forces that surround it, forces that come at one from every direction giving one little in the way of strategic sailing. One simply has to 'get through'. Add to the mix, squalls that usually appear at night and one has a condition that, even if my fellow stoic sailors wont admit it...is nasty as hell. So, this is day three and have 10-12 more ahead. I can only hope that Shearwater is up to the task as she is taking a beating. And as for me...while uncomfortable and sleep is a little elusive, so far nothing alarming. But, its the dangers that dwell in the head, the... 'what could be' that is the most challenging.