From the boat...wait till you see these pictures

This is from Ms Z on her sailing around the world trip....She is German and speaks quite excellent English, doesn't she? This is a more personal email from the trip, normally it's about people/places/situations, etc., but I thought this was a lovely Wednesday respite from politics and arguing.  I hope you all enjoy it:

We're softly gliding through the deep blue Pacific Ocean. Wind of 10-15 knots from behind, small waves from 170degrees to the left, Spinnaker up, Alita at her best discipline. We hardly feel we're moving, yet we're sailing at about 7 knots most of the time. The Pacific Ocean shows itself as we got to know it on the long distance: with nothing to see but this beautiful clear blue water with great visibility - only that there is nothing to see. No birds, no fish, no mammals, no boats.

So this morning in my shift I decided it would be great if God could let us know we're not alone, to cheer us up. I asked for a whale to pass by Alita close enough to see him good but in a distance that he does not hit us. Gyuri (Hungarian guest on the boat) liked the idea and agreed. Then I said "now only God needs to agree and send us one. We'll see."

What can I say? In my next shift, a good 9 hours later, I had already forgotten what I had wished for and looked out over the ocean still amazed that there is no life to see when I suddenly heard a loud "puhhhh", as if someone with a lot of breath blew through a huge plastic hose. Automatically I turned my head, not thinking I would see anything, as this tremendously huge whale appeared right next to our boat, maybe 10-156m (33-50ft) away, and softly glided through the water. I was so amazed and surprised, it took me a while to be able to yell "whale". My exes were focused on this elegant, long grey back of the whale, swimming side by side with Alita. I did not see his head or tail, but from the back I am sure it was at least Alita's size (59' long) and we think it must have been a "Pottwal" (don't know the english expression, it's Moby Dick in grey). Gyuri got a glance of it, but by immediately going down to get his camera he missed a good part and Marcus, who came up from his bed, did not see him at all. I am still stunned, can't believe this has happened and how God reacted to my wish. Isn't it amazing? This cannot be a coincidence. I have experienced this before. It's only if you wish from deep inside and you're really in need of a sign that your wish will be granted for. Gyuri asked if I had another one and I said, I can't overdo it, it won't work. You feel it inside when the time has come. That might sound strange to you, but that's what I feel and experienced on this trip and in my life before. Last time was in Chiloe, when I really needed support from the dolphins in a tough situation, they were right there. Or Robinson Crusoe island: the dogs who walked with me to protect me. Dogs who were not even wild ones but belonged to families. But I had wished for them to join me. Anyways, we're well up and travel at good speed. ETA at Lucie island is in 3,5 days. Let's see if we can anchor there. Our current position: 25deg 59,2S an d 115deg 48,1W. 

Z; Most of you know my stepdaughter is on an around-the-world trip on a sailboat called Alita.   I thought it was lovely that she's having these experiences with hoping for things and having them happen.  She's been on since June of last year...they've come into French Polynesia now and will be visiting islands there for a couple of months, on their way to New Zealand...with many more stops on the way.   The stops involve looking at the scenery, buying food, checking in with customs, fixing things on the boat, etc.   She's quite a woman and I'm proud to share her sailing emails...will do more soon.  Please keep her in your prayers for safety, calm and happiness. Thanks!

Mangareva.....quite a shot, huh?


z