Position: 06 degrees, 35 minutes South; 134 degrees, 06 minutes West (159 NM today)

Update at 1930 local time, right as we were making dinner, we hooked a Dorado. Ann pulled it in and it threw the hook right next to the boat. Bummer. We tossed the hook over the side, got going again and before we knew it, there’s another one on the hook. Ann brought this one in as well and we successfully landed it. A good three footer. We now have twelve large Mahi fillets in the freezer and fridge. Yay!

This blog from Ann:

They say it takes twenty-one days to make a habit. Well today is day 21 on the Pacific Ocean and things are always changing slightly. After 120 watches we are used to the watch habit.

Fun night watches go like this. Bob wakes me up by gently shaking my leg. “Yes, yes. I’m up.” I struggle to sit up as Charisma heels to one side. I get steady on my feet. There is always an adjustment period of a minute or two , then “monkey bar” my way to the bathroom. Fortunately Charisma has great handholds along the ceiling. By the time I get out of the bathroom Bob has started some hot water so I can make my hot drink of choice to help me stay awake/wake up. This watch I choose hot chocolate. I take time to find a snack too. The snack cabinet is full of granola bars, gorp, nuts and dried fruit. It even has some candy. Bob has found the Oreos – his favorite. I go for the bag of mini wheats

I find my clothes, put on my PFD and before we turn off the ceiling light I get my headlamp and switch it to red light – not so harsh on the eyes. I take a step or two up the companion way and find my harness and clip in. Then the juggling begins as I start relaying up my drink and goodies including my choice of entertainment. Some nights it is the IPod or a book. This watch I am playing on my IPad. I had some killer games of Scrabble last night!

Precariously I reach out to the binnacle and put my drink in one of the cup holders. It is a long stretch and I can just make it if Charisma is not heeling too much. Oops. Forgot to refill my water bottle. I unclip and go back down the stairs and fill’er up. Back up the companion way again and I am ready to ride the bongo board! I hang on tightly to the binnacle as I work my way around it to the other side of the helm. To get readjusted to the rocking and rolling I stand with one hand holding on and am taken back to my childhood memories of days spent at Aunt Geri’s riding her bongo board. (Bob and I figure that these don’t exist anymore due to liability issues.) On Aunt Geri’s board it was a quick back forth, back forth and maybe, if you are really good it lasts for 30 seconds before you clunk to a stop. On Charisma I am the bongo master! When I am feeling really steady I let go with both hands and feel supreme. Then Charisma takes a hard roll and teaches me humility. Smartly I give in quickly and grab on again.

On my bongo board the wind blows through my hair. It’s so refreshing. Sometimes you can smell fish in the air. Sometimes I am hit by spray. I look up as I balance and am in awe of God’s celestial art show. I look for my favorite – the Big Dipper and find that down here it starts to disappear into the horizon early. But that’s okay because the Southern Cross is showing off at due south. I am treated to an exploding star that looks like someone flicked on a light and then it fizzles its way to the horizon. Wish made and I am still riding the bongo board. Aunt Geri is cheering me on!

From this great position I also get to do the check-in on the navigation pod. We are on course, steering 225 – Wilson only seems to give Bob a hard time. Wow! 410 miles to Hiva Oa! Winds are consistent and comfortable at 12-17 knots out of the south east and Charisma just logged an 8.8 speed-over-ground as she surfs down another wave. The wave sends phosphorescent lace across the dark water. It is gorgeous to watch.

Hanging on tightly I step up onto the cockpit seat and work my way back around to the front of the binnacle and facing the bow I remain standing and hold on to the edge of the dodger and enjoy the ride. From this vantage point you can see the bow lift and bob as Charisma carves through the waves. These are the times I wish I was on a boat next to us so I could see how graceful we look. Charisma surfing, the mast playing connect the dots with the stars and me, like a puppy dog, hanging my head in the wind taking it all in. Making that mental picture because you could never capture this on film.

I am the Bongo Queen!