Land Ho!

After 14 days and 1407 nautical miles of sailing across the northeast Indian Ocean from Western Australia, we've finally made it to Cocos (Keeling) Islands, our first port of call, on July 18th. Life seems easy for the Malays and Aussies on this remote and tiny atoll 12 degrees south of the equator and consisting of 23 islands, getting here, however, was not.


The constant tossing, healing, and diving of the yacht makes life in passage extremely challenging. Every bone that comes close to the surface of my skin is bruised and beaten from the bumps, falls, and stumbles caused by the unpredictable movements from large rouge swells. Walking through a door is gambling with the well-being of your head; what was a direct pass-through a second ago is now two feet to the left and suddenly my head is physically familiar with the book shelf and my shins with the starb'rd seat bench.


Sleep apnea due to 6 hour off and on 'round-the-clock shifts, restless leg syndrome from the lack of movement, constipation, and blurry eye site as a side effect from the promethezine (sea sickness meds) complete the physical challenges of passage.


Of course, the above physical challenges are only the foundation for the mental challenges we face. The desolate loneliness of being in the middle of this ancient ocean is significantly less than "nowhere" with modern GPS technology. However, the never changing scenery of vast expanses of open water, only being able to see an 11 nautical mile radius in any one direction due to the curvature of the earth, and moving at a maximum of 7 knots can keep a mind constantly questioning we're making the progress our marine navigation technology is reporting to us.


I've found all these physical and mental challenges are resolved by a visit from an old friend; music. Pop in the ear buds and one is instantly immersed in the familiar sounds of Confessions on the Dance Floor which brings back familiar memories of all-nighters at the office. Mike Coykendall is a trip to the grocery store and back. I re-live a road trip to an Oregon Duck football away game with The Helio Sequence. Reggie Watts is a cool escape to the slopes of Mt. Hood. I'll be visiting many unique and interesting ports of call during this trip and no matter where I am, or what I'm feeling, I know I'll have music as my sanity ally.


Some pictures for you to enjoy:





Leaving Geraldton for our beacon in the sky.

















Sunrise in the Indian Ocean.

















Arriving in paradise. Finally!

















Dolphins came to great us and show us the safe route into the lagoon. (Video to be posted soon.)

















A beautiful sunset over Destination Island for our first evening in Cocos.