Pacific Odyssey - Leg 4

It is late in the afternoon and we are squeezing in a final swim at the
pool while Skipper sends off last night=B9s log from the internet cafe at the
lodge.  I will send today=B9s as well, as we=B9re not sure when we=B9ll get the
chance to send again.  We=B9re still having trouble transmitting the detailed
logs. The weather seems to be changing; although the temperature is still
hot, the sky is cloudy and the wind is steadily picking up.  We are leaving
Madang early tomorrow morning.  Antony and Caley were successful in
obtaining a Chinese visa for Caley.  Scott also was successful; we are
thankful.  Trainees are again filling a day with swimming and relaxing at
the pool, visiting the market, doing laundry and finishing off Christmas
presents. Some of them are beginning to think about packing up their bunks,
at least making a start.  We spend so much time during the day and night on
deck that the bunks become a collection depot, rarely being cleared for
sleeping, except for when the rain sends everyone below.  Even then,
trainees often sleep on the table or on the floors where it is cooler (at
least that=B9s what they claim; perhaps the task of clearing their bunk is to=
o
daunting).   It will be difficult to say good-bye to the trainees that are
leaving; some of them have been with us since Victoria and Hawaii, they are
like family.   Even the trainees that joined us in Fiji, it feels like they
have been with us for a longer time.  After so much intense time together,
it is hard to leave as well, although many of them are continuing travels
and they look forward to that.  For those going home it will be nice to see
family and friends again. Simon is quite preoccupied with the fact that
Tristan is leaving.  He talks about it to me regularly and has plans to mak=
e
him a care package for the plane and a new boat for him for when he returns
to the Grace in Japan as bosun=B9s mate.  It=B9s very poignant.   Skipper and
Karen each spent a few hours this morning cleaning their laundry by hand.
It=B9s now hanging all over the ship, nearly dry.  Crew got together this
morning and set a schedule for the next few days; it looks like a great few
days, with lots of good food and fun activities.  Besides that, we will be
anchored in a quiet bay where we=B9ve been told there is good snorkeling, goo=
d
diving, and good swimming off the boat . . . just what we ordered.  Karen
took her watch for ice cream this morning; one kina (about 40 cents) for a
large scoop.  Skipper received word from Duncan our shipping agent that we
are being given our dock space for free; this is amazing as initially we
were told that fees were $460 US per day!  It helps that the ship works for
a non-profit society and is full of students plus, I think they like us
(smile).  Karen is on morning clean up this week, her final week before she
takes over Sara Brizan=B9s place as volunteer watch officer.  She has been
busy with preparations for the Christmas days, making all kinds of things t=
o
make the boat more Christmas-like. We are grateful and she loves to do it.
This morning she hung a beautiful little Christmas ornament in all of the
crew members bunks.  We are going to Bagabag Island, 35 nm away.  We will
anchor in New Year=B9s Bay.  Around the corner from this bay is another bay
named Christmas Bay.  We inquired into staying there but apparently there i=
s
a village with 2000 people and though we would like to visit with them, the
plan was to find a quiet place to celebrate Jesus=B9 birth together.  This is
it; it looks like rain soon.  We would like to wish everyone an amazing few
days, and a beautiful Christmas day.  We love you and will be thinking of
all of you.  Good bye, Bonice.