Life onboard Gaualofa
We have Te Matua a Maui on our aft beam, Hine straight ahead, Haunui starboard quarter and Uto SW of us. Our support boats our cruising along thru the fleet doing a great job
After a long talk with the boys and contemplation of the idea: taking a bath in waters of 17°C and icy winds of 15°C, it was agreed that today would be bath day. Wet towel baths weren’t enough. Amid laughter and yells of being doused by cold sea water, it was done. The crew of Gaualofa were ready for another day. Taking a sea water bath on the va’a is a bit of a mission. Picture this- rocking boat, cold winds, icy NZ water and using a bucket. Oh and did I mention the bathing occurs on the nets at the bow? The nets at the bow are set up catamaran design, but with bigger holes. So one wrong step and your whole leg goes thru, it’s a pain trying to get it back out while you’re only wearing a lavalava and being thrown about by the movement of the va’a.
My team consists of Faapau, Taleni and Salai. Taleni and Salai have improved immensely since we left Samoa in late March. There’s usually no need to explain to them why we have to trim sails, aim high/low, drift effect, etc. Faapau and I sailed together last year and were on the same watch team as well. So we work well together almost automatically reading each other’s next moves. Salai’s the comic relief in our group, always cracking jokes.
Lolesio is making pumpkin soup with coconut cream, lime, chilli and basil. Smells pretty yum. Lunch was roast sandwiches and quinoa salad.
We sighted our first albatross earlier today. Sun’s about to set another hour and half then it’ll be dark. The past night shifts were uneventful, just cold and constant laughter. Looking forward to what tomorrow brings.
From Gaualofa, with love.
Soifua
Marc Gondard
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