As if to make up for it all, there are those special moments that keep me sailing.

Finally clear of the clouds, last night was magical sailing in warm and soft tropical breeze. Stretched out in the cockpit watching countless stars, the southern cross just over the backstay letting me know I was headed home, listening to gurgle and splash of the boat moving gently through the water, and falling asleep knowing that I was happy to be exactly where I was.

This morning, I saw my first dolphins of the trip, and was happy to have the company if only for a bit. Later, a cruise ship steamed into view and I socially tacked and passed by to say hello and take a picture. They will definitely be in Tahiti before me, but I still was enjoying the glow of a great day and figured they should be jealous, not me.

The wind is dead now, I have only covered about 50 miles, and am bobbing about waiting for it to return. The weather forecast is iffy, but I am enjoying another bath water warm tropical night and a great sunset.