SAILING THROUGH PARADISE, Log #13,
Women's Expedition, Leg 6-97

Nov. 8, 1997 0830
Latitude: 17.40S,Longitude: 177.06 Log: 9561 Water Temp: 80.1F, Air: 80F
At anchor, Mana Is., Fiji

Ellie:

After a BBQ tuna dinner and a brief rest, we pulled anchor off Cape Washington at 2200. With pairs of sailors at the watch, we were able to sleep despite the rocking and rolling and 25 kt winds. Having our lee cloths in place gave us an added sense of security in our bunks. I knew it was my time to take the helm as my clanging alarm awoke me and apparently everyone else. I donned my harness as I climbed up to the cockpit and quickly clipped into the padeye. The skies were clear and the winds warm, giving a more comfortable experience on my 1st overnight crossing. As each watch was completed, I had a sense of accomplishment that the boat was still upright and intact, and that another challenge of sailing had been conquered.

Mahina Tiarre III ghosting through the shallows, Kadavu, Figi 6-97.

Cheryl:

After a fabulous overnight sail from Kadavu, we came through the pass into Nadi Waters and on to Musket Cove Resort. We were all ready for some shoreside lessons, some retail therapy, and some laundry. For about $5 US our laundry was done for us, but some elected to use the dock approach on the dock. We also cleaned up the ship inside and out. Mahina Tiare was a clean ship right down to her lace undies. Amanda assembled us all down in the salon with ropes in hand for splicing lessons. We did a 3 braid eye splice, crown knot and back splice, braid splice, and Amanda's trademark, the soft eye in braid line. We then advanced to needle and thread and practiced a sail repair stitch. We were all pretty pleased with ourselves. We reviewed the contents of Amanda's ditty bag, rigging box, sail repair bag to plan for our own. After another delicious lunch of fresh caught wahoo, we reviewed workings of SSB, VHF, Inmarsat, and weatherfax. Our lessons done, we scattered to our various adventures. That evening we had a great beachside BBQ with other cruising yachts headed for New Zealand. Our 5 foot 7 inch wahoo and pudgy yellowfin made great sashimi, poisson cru and grill.

Shelley:

My First Dive

I've snorkeled a bit, but was never totally satisfied. I wanted to "get closer", but I couldn't dive deep enough, hold my breath long enough, or clear my snorkel fast enough. Scuba was the answer! Somehow, it was never the right time to learn and anyway, I was too old. Translation: I was scared! My dream became a reality at Musket Cove. Encouraged by the crew and skippers, John and Amanda, I did my first dive. The credit really goes to the unbelievably patient and understanding dive instructor Api. When I slid off the boat in all my scuba gear, I panicked. Thrashing around, choking with salt water, I gave Api the "I want to go up" signal we'd learned earlier during the pool instruction. Api was having none of that. Gently, he deflated my jacket and encouraged me to concentrate on the glorious scene below. With Api holding me and my dive buddy Carolyn's hand, I began to relax. We must have looked pretty funny moving along like Siamese triplets linked at the hip. But it worked and before I knew it, we were back on the boat. 40 minutes and 40 feet had elapsed. I did it! I've never felt prouder of myself.

Ladies back from a tropical snorkeling adventure 6-97.

Carolyn:

On a perfect run from Musket Cove to Mana Is., practicing points of sail with different crew members at the helm, we decided this was the ideal time to do some man overboard drills. Amanda demo-ed the life sling, and explained the emergency procedure for man overboard. The crew quickly got into the exercise, as Shelley threw a wad of newspaper overboard to represent the rescue, the helmswoman named it for her husband. We manage to quickly pick up the first two, the next two were a bit of a problem. Shelley's Cliff ended up being dragged under the dinghy after we ran over the life sling line. Cheryl couldn't get the boat around in time to pick up Jim with only a small jib and no main up. We'll be practicing again, guys...Never fear!

Amanda explaining finepoints of sail trim. 6-97.

To The Next Log Entry: Log #14 - 12/01/97