May 1, Day 9

Since our last update,we have had some of the most beautiful sailing we have done -and some very busy nights dealing with squalls and fishing boat traffic. We have given our days little "theme names" just to re-cap them in a short way. Day 6 was "We like it", or "We plead the 5th". This is due to that day being our fifth equatorial crossing. As is usual for an equatorial crossing, we saluted King Neptune (at 0500 in the morning when we actually crossed) with a tot of rum. Elisabeth and I had cognac. The real treat was that the day was beautiful, and we had a lovely little celebratory party that evening, complete with nice chicken burritos and one (only one - we are a dry boat while underway) nice cold Tsing Tao beer. Thus: "We like it".

Day seven, was "Halfway!" or "Sadly, no animals". Reaching halfway to destination is always a big milestone, especially when it is a crossing like this. Many days, transgressing from one hemisphere to the next, crossing through the ITCZ, etc. So,Halfway, is a big treat and special day. "Sadly, no animals"..... The governments of Marshall Islands and Kiribati sell the right to over-fist their waters to the massive, military strength, fishing fleets of the US, China, Korea, Taiwan, Japan and others. These fleets are incredible successful in clearing all life out of the ocean. It is a clear case to these governments selling the souls of their waters for short-term gain, long term loss. Thus, if there are no fish, there are no dolphins, porpoises, birds etc. The food chain is vacant, only the jellyfish remains. Sad but true. Even sadder is to see the politians of these island nations all driving big American SUVs while the island infrastructure remains a shamble.

Always wishing you the best, Rod and Elisabeth, "Your Rock and Roll Argonauts"