It was rough seas and rolly with no wind as we left land and so we motored all day. Then we began the long sail the next day as we lost sight of land.
The sea puppies (dolphins) came to play 2 days later. We've often been blessed with their playfulness but never by so many at once. At least 100 came from every direction towards the boat, leaping and frollicking and rolling over to look up at us. There were so many and we were having such fun that none of us even thought to try to take pictures of them. Blessed we were…
Full moon rising out of Yemaya, teasing us as she ducked in and out of the clouds. We all honored her and i (Willow) took the 1st night watch (9-midnight) to celebrate her fullness and get my monthly dose of energy and Light….
Dolphins came again the next day to play and swim alongside the boat---playful and aware of the laughter and joy they brought us. But once again -- no pictures, so you'll just have to trust us.
We had many squalls and rainstorms throughout the journey and almost always at night. We each had 3 hour watches which is an easy time period to stay awake and watch. But with storms throughout the nights we each had our share of challenges at one time or another. We would like to report that it was an easy trip but have to say instead that it was a continuing challenge of high winds and seas without much rest. Richard had told me that with the big waves of the open ocean it would feel like a "Big old easy chair" as the boat rose up and down on them. Well….. i waited expectantly every day and night for my "easy chair"---and it may be out on the Atlantic somewhere but it never made it onto EcstaSea.
The winds were so strong that we sailed with the sails reefed for most of the journey. The waves were 15-25 feet high and instead of long time periods between them they were close together, choppy and coming from every direction. They were what old sailors call "confused seas" and they sure confused us!
A little over a week in the whisker pole (used to hold the sails out to the side as we sailed downwind) broke off the mast causing alarm and action on all of our parts. Thankfully no one was injured and we re-adjusted and adapted the sails to continue without it.
A continued learning for Richard and i is the "being with what is"and controlling the thoughts of "it shouldn't be this way". Of course it "should" be this way because it "is"…"The wind shouldn't be blowing this high and the waves shouldn't be so rough"---of course they should be, because they are!
One of the main reasons to "be with what is" is to alleviate the suffering we inflict on ourselves as our minds oppose and resist the "reality" of the moment. It also wastes vital energy in opposition, depleting ourselves of the resources and energy needed to create again. It is impossible and absurd to resist the forces of nature, and yet we do so in our minds. It is true that the moment (reality) may be painful, but it is with the minds conversation and resistance that we creat suffering for ourselves. What an amplified opportunity we had to live within this learning once again.
We also noticed that we were unconsciously agreeing with those around us who often say that especially on a boat "shit happens". We finally saw that the more we said it--- the more shit happened. Duh….what part of Law of Attraction did we forget???
We also had the continual opportunity to "not take it personally". Yemaya (ocean) with her frenetic, powerful energy just does what she does, without any regard for us. We felt punished by her and began the mantra of "harmony without resistance"as we felt her waves shoving us around. Xavier reminded us to "become the ocean" and it helped us especially as we were tossed to and fro as we tried to sleep. We focused on rolling and moving in harmony with her as we relaxed into her movement.
The Captain and First Mate relaxing into it….
Richard had told us about the whales that had visited him during his previous Atlantic crossing. So we were all calling them forth and anxious to see them. Well within a flu uew minutes of the whisker pole emergency the whales came to visit. Many of them, riding on the big waves behind the boat to look out at us and then gliding alongside closer and rolling over to show us their white bellies. They stayed a long time and we felt they came to reassure us that "all was well" and to change our anxious fearful energy into light and playfulness. Xavier took hundreds of photos to get just a few clear ones. They also came a few days later to bless us again. In the picture see the one with it's tail out of the water and it's white underbelly showing…
We also saw lots of flying fish throughout the sail. Unfortunately for them a few landed on the deck of the boat but fortunately for us we got to see them up close and personal….
Xavier also celebrated his birthday by cooking us a favorite creole dish of curried meatballs and rice and i made my favorite brownies. Thanks for another trip around the sun, Xavier….
Both Xavier and Mariusz are great cooks and loved spending time in the galley as much as the rough seas allowed. Those of you who know our somewhat small appetites and odd aversion to too much food can imagine that we were often overwhelmed with the cooks enthusiasm around "bon appetite".
It was truly a gift that we all got along so well and we allowed each other's differences without a lot of judgement. Richard and i are so solitarily comfortable in our togetherness that it could have been overwhelming crowded on EcstaSea. But we were happy to know that in close confined quarters of the boat that we all managed quite well. We each had our "grumpy-need our space" moments but kindness and respect always abounded. We could not and would not have wanted to do this crossing without them. I lovingly called them "my Boys" and each brought unique skills and talents to keep us safe, well fed and light-hearted with laughter. Thank you Xavier and Marius…The color palette of the open ocean is blue on blue with touches of white. Varying colors of blue ocean and blue sky with white clouds and white foamy capped waves. The sunsets often blessed us with other colors of orange and yellow and if you were lucky enough to have the sunrise watch you would often see fire red erupting out of the sea and sky. The old saying: "Red sky at night, sailor's delight--red sky at morning, sailor's take warning"---what the hell does that mean????
This first picture is sunset:
The last night of our journey the waves flowing by us as we sailed toward land had the magic photo-luninesence sparkles in it. All night long, sparkly lights in the water welcoming us to the Caribbean. And it was finally a calm night at sea.
And then "Land Ahoy"!!! The island of St Martin coming closer and closer.
It was a fast journey as crossings go--due to the high winds and waves moving us forward. But as always on Yemaya, "time" is a mystery and "timelessness" prevails. Days flowing into nights, back to days….effortlessly. Sometimes feeling like forever and sometimes like just a moment. The mystery of time flowing like endless waves of blue, blue ocean.
EcstaSea continued to show up in all of her elegance in spite of some injuries. A strong, graceful Lady sailing in all of her power and glory through Yemaya. To her once again we say "Thank you".
Mariusz with St Martin in the background:
The journey was a rich experience -- one we are glad to have made. We are happy within ourselves, happy for the learnings and happy to be right here, right now….in the warm turquoise waters of the Caribbean. Now bring on the lazy anchor out days and keep the rum punch flowing! Here's a toast to EcstaSea and her thankful voyagers safe and happy in the blue, blue waters of the Caribbean!!!!!!
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