We are finally on our way to the Marquesas in French Polynesia. It will be our longest leg at sea at 3000 miles. It was bitter-sweet leaving the Galapagos as we had such a great time there seeing all the amazing animals, up close, very close, but we also knew it was time to move on and see more great places. We managed to fit in a tour before we left that took us to Isla Lobos, where we snorkelled with sea-lions, spectacular fish and turtles. The sea-lions would swim right up to us, face to face, and then dart away. One hung upside-down, bending right over backwards, just hanging there, observing us. We found one magical spot of glistening silvery-white sand that seemed like a rockpool-nursery where they swam about us. Afterwards we went to Leon Dormido, or Kicker Rock. A magestic 120m rock formation rising out of the deep, composed entirely of volcanic ash, compressed over the ages. There is a split in the rock that we could snorkel through, supposedly filled with hammerhead sharks. Unfortunately we saw none as they were too deep (lurking down there somewhere!) but we did get treated to some galapagos sharks, a school of tuna and a pair of eagle rays that were spotted like leopards.

Finally we made our departure from Wreck Bay after three weeks stay. Not long after we left we got a big bite on our trolling line. Isabelle worked hard to reel it in and it was a beauty. A huge yellow-fin tuna that was big enough to feed us for a week. We were just trying to gaff it though when it broke the line. Chafe i think. So we lost lure And fish. I hope the hook at least rusts out quickly for that tuna. We redeemed ourselves late the next day, not long after we'd cleared Isabella, the last of the Galapagos chain, when we snagged another yellow-fin. This time a little smaller but big enough for three days feed. We've had sashimi the last two nights.

We're enjoying the steady winds, so far, of the trade-wind belt and a nice smooth run westwards, and miles and miles of ocean around us.

Saw some dolphins today that seemed to delight in jumping clear out of the water, making long, graceful arcs.

It's now our third night. Full moon, placid seas, just had sashimi for dinner and the banana cake is just coming out of the oven.