Galapagos a little closer

Serai
Jason and Emily Willis
Tue 3 Apr 2007 15:01
06:57.6N 79:47.8

Yesterday evening we saw 2 whales - what a sight! We spent 3 years scanning
the horizon for whales in the BVI, but never had any luck. This was the
first time I have seen whales in the ocean . Just terrific, and they were
far enough away from the boat to pose no threat!

We have managed to do about 120 miles in our first 24 hours out of Las
Perlas. We have had to motorsail most of it, although early on we had some
great wind and were sailing at 6.5 knots. We have had loads of dolphins
dropping by to play, but as yet have caught no fish.

We had lightening for a few hours during Ems' watch. She didn't like it so
all the electronics were disconnected and put in the microwave for
safekeeping. In hindsight I think this may have been a bit OTT, but better
to be safe than sorry!

We have had some weird stuff going on as well. Firstly, we have had little
lakes of disturbance on the water - they are upwellings we believe from deep
down. The water goes from dead calm, to bubbling, and the sound that goes
with it is amazing too, like being in a rainstorm, but there's no rain. We
went through about 5 of these during the course of the night. Secondly, Ems
had a moment when the depth sounder went to 60 ft when we were in 6000 ft of
water. Now sometimes it does this, and its just a bit of a blip for a
moment, but Ems had it for 2 hours!!! Something big was under us we think
for 2 hours. Scary stuff!

We have had reports of good wind at around 3 degrees North, but we are a
fair way away from that still, so we just keep plodding south to south west,
and hope we get some wind soon!

Till the next time

Love

J and Ems xx