Pacific Odyssey - Leg 2

It has been a very full and wonderful day. For Jose it started early with his watch, all in costume, surprising him at 0130, tackling him, dressing him up, and setting a duck tape hat on his head, very cleverly crafted by Darcy. For at least an hour the best stash/ birthday party took place, while all the other watches slept unknowingly on. There was hot chocolate, Ghirardelli chocolate, mini oreos, chocolate covered macadamia nuts, candy, almonds, just to name some of the fare enjoyed. Forewatch sat around the helmsman, laughing, talking and completely enjoying each others company; it was very good. We continue to sail toward the equator and will reach it in just over 2 hours. Unfortunately we are moving too fast to be able to swim across the equator as well as it will be close to midnight.  We lowered the trysail and raised a single reefed main and jib topsail and were able to keep the same course and increase our speed, and...turn off the engine! Aaaaaah, what a difference that makes. The motion is still very intense and one can never not think about it, but the general feeling is more peaceful and the ship seems to move more freely. By now, the jib topsail is down again, lowered by Chris and Rob, as we were heeling over quite far and taking on too much
water. The water continues to spray over the entire foredeck and down into the hold, foc´sle and even after cabin hatches. It was a good day to sit on deck, watch the ocean, read a book, chat with friends, and enjoy the perfect temperature. At about 1630 the girls and 4 guys dressed as girls, sang a personalized song to Jose, written by Karen and Elske. It went to the tune of ´Those were the days´ switched to ´Those were Jose´s.´ Very funny and everyone joined in the chorus. Katie picked a favorite breakfast, yogurt and granola with fruit, while Jose chose the supper, Shepherd´s Pie. Gillian did a great job. Arwen and Mary baked close to 100 chocolate cupcakes and iced them.  After dishes we had a suprise dance party for Katie in the hold with strobes and headlamps flashing, other lights off, and Tav and Jose providing the beat on the drum. Katie loved it. It was Jose´s turn to tell his lifestory and be interrogated today and forewatch took good advantage of finding out everything they could; it was good fun.  Tomorrow will be another full day with the equator crossing. We are sailing along very quickly, making good time, at times up to 7.6 kts, probably the fastest we´ve moved this leg. The sky is clear and there are many stars and a glorious, huge, orange moon. Today has been a day of laughing, I still hear a group of girls laughing on deck, some getting sprayed and laughing harder, a good sound. Until tomorrow, enjoy your non-moving beds, good night, Bonice.