Pacific Spirit: SailBlogs

Wild Island in the Coral Sea

ulrika — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 11:07:00 -0500

After a beautifully calm cruise down from Papua New Guinea the wind died off completely about 20nm north of the Willis Islands around 200nm from the mainland. With no wind we weren't going anywhere so we decided to drop anchor just behind the northern most cay after motoring the last few miles. By the time we arrived a 5kt headwind was blowing from the southwest but the forecast predicted this would swing East so staying the night would be a good plan. What luxury! Not only great weather so far but a full nights sleep after 3 days of 4hr shifts on watch. (Continued...)

lullaby in birdland

ulrika — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 05:25:00 -0500

Black swivelling silhouettes against a cloudless yellow-blue sky where the sun has just melted into the sea; shearwaters, sooty terns and boobies swoop with effortless precision around our mast looking for a perch. A runny mound of guano on the solar panel left behind by last night's guests remind me of the less romantic aspects of these graceful air- acrobats, but I still cant stop myself from loving the company. (Continued...)

Our ship full of boobies heads south

Duncan — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 06:22:00 -0500

We have managed to time our crossing perfectly, today the sun was shining and the sky was blue with a few little fluffy clouds. It doesn't get much better than this I reckon. As the sun was setting a flock of birds swooped down to visit us. We decided we could accommodate four of them on them on board so they took up positions on the bow sprit and the solar panel. It's amazing that they don't mind people at all and we could get right up close with just a curious glance from them. I think they're just happy to have somewhere to rest out here in the middle of the coral sea. Tomorrow we'll be in Australian waters and close to some coral islets so maybe they'll venture off for some fish for breakfast. (Continued...)