It was a stormy day.The ship started bouncing in late hours of the evening. And we bounced , bounced and bounced all the way from   kaohsiung to keelung. Expecting bad weather, the deck team had spent hours lashing various bits and pieces to other bits and pieces. It was number 8 on the beaufort scale, with winds reaching 60-70 km/h.     Not the worst I have been through, but certainly not best time for a stroll on deck for sure. Most of the campaign team from taiwan had been decimated on arrival, the bad weather casualties being visibly missing from the lunch table. But all said and done , It is such a thrill , to feel the ship constantly move underneath your feet. To step out and hear the waves smashing against the steel hull , sending a fine mist of salty water across the ship. Its spectacular. Every time I step out on deck , I marvel , feel a smile speeding across my salt water covered face. And I remind myself that one misstep , would be the end. There is no saving anyone in this, The edge of the ship is like the edge of a cliff. to davy jones locker, as they used to say. Macabre thought, maybe, but one that brings into perspective the life we lead. There is very often no place for stupidity, or mistakes in this life. And at sea, I am full of gratitude to someone somewhere, for letting me lead it. Every time.

riding an ancient wind

The sails are out all the way and we are edging north towars Taiwan, albeit a bit slowly.
2000 years ago ancient mariners used the North East trade winds in the South China sea for transporting chinese porcelain. Eventually this wind favoured the creation of the silk route of the sea in the 9th century. Today we follow the wind from another age as we inch our way towards Taiwan. It is strange , to reconnect with history in such a way. Following timeless winds as we sail across these waters. How many battles and travels and stories and songs has this sea been privy to. It is such a human thought, to be constantly troubled with minor ailments, Of war and sickness and disease. While the universe carries on. Completely Unruffled by our great discoveries and everchanging laws.

The sea is raging a a little with 30 knots of wind, I guess she is not particularly happy. But the smashing of the waves is sometimes punctuated with the lovely splashes and clicks of dolphins and we count ourselves lucky to witness this exciting spectacle. Some of us.

The Raibow warrior is being pounded now and then by 4-6 meter waves. She will be in Taiwan by Sunday.
Thank you butterfly. For flapping your wings.