Galapagos to Marquesas
We had planned to break more rules and try to stop at Isla Isabella, but the tsunami meant that all harbours were closed and boats had to stay at sea, so we just kept going. A slightly difficult beginning, light wind on the nose, and strong currents between the islands but by daybreak we were clear and on our way.
Sperm Whale!
Other boats are doing the standard recommended course and heading south to find the trade winds, but we are feeling cocky after ignoring standard advice on the last leg to our great advantage, and are heading straight for our destination. We have also had some light winds that keep us choosing either due south, or towards Marquesas and since the forecast shows no trades for the next days we may have nothing to lose and we might even get luckyů.I'm sure it's a smart gamble, if the trades do come up to us they will be lighter than further south, but we will have a better angle of sail, so faster and more comfortable. Stay tuned!
And we did get lucky on the nature front! We stopped for a couple of hours to watch a sperm whale. He (I'm sure it's a he, it was HUGE!) spends a few minutes taking massive breathes in succession to recharge his blood, then up comes the tail and we wait for 30 or 40 mins searching all around. We saw him three times. Marcel climbed the mast and did some repairs while we waited and it was nice to have the motor off for a bit.
Turkish Coffee
Has run out!!!! What am I going to doů in the middle of the ocean. What was I thinking in the turkish supermarket? Why, why, why didn't I get more?????

It's day four, still motoring, but we have a tiny wind helping add a knot to our speed. It has been very beautiful though, glassy seas, stunning sun ups and downs, magnificent clouds. We didn't catch a fish yesterday, so when I spotted a FFFAD (free floating fish attracting device :-)), actually a lost bamboo and netting raft float, I detoured and passed it by. Mahi mahi were all around, jumping a bit, and a school of them swam with the boat for a minute which answered the question about the fish that swam with us for a day in the Atlantic. Soon had one on the deck, lines back on board and we will eat for a few more days!
More good news from the GRIB file, wind is on it's way. (this is weather info downloaded via email and the HF radio, then loaded onto the computer chart. Yesterday I heard a slav on the radio say "I don't trust that GRIB file", he sounded like the martian in Space Patrol, I've been repeating it all day in my head..)