I forgot to mention the amazing things we have seen so far. On our way across the Mexican border we were greeted by the largest pod of dolphins I have ever heard of. There must have been 100 of them, all leaping and playing around the HaHa boats. It seemed as though they must have organized a rally of their own, as if to prove that the ocean was still theirs.
Later that day Merileigh spotted a humpback whale a few hundred yards off our starboard beam. I got up just in time to see it before it dove below, not to be seen by us again. Other boats reported dolphin and whale today, but we only saw a few seal flippers waving.
I am on the first watch of the night now and the night sky is humbling. Jupiter is bright enough to leave a faint train across the ocean to port, and I have spotted more than a few shooting stars. Old familiar constellations are keeping me company and my iPad sky programs (Star Walk, and Distant Suns) are teaching me new ones. I am grateful for that technology on these long chilly nights.