Great news! For the first time since leaving Sanya, we are covering new ground rather than retracing our previous track. Yes, the last 1,050nm no wind/upwind slog has only got us back to the Luzon Strait that we passed through about three weeks ago. This is exciting because:
1) We are making tangible progress on our eastward circumnavigation; and,
2) I can soon get the Sharpie out and extend our track on the inflatable globe (not to be used for navigation!) hanging in the Nav Station.
Conditions have eased fractionally since yesterday - the sea state has calmed a little, and the wind is slightly less. More importantly the sun is shining again which makes everyone on deck feel happier about things, even if it makes living below deck uncomfortably hot again.
Nasdaq now has Taiwan in sight, having tacked east shortly before lunch in close company with Dare To Lead, and Hotelplanner.com also visible on AIS. Hi folks! It's good to have some company and other boats to pace ourselves against. This is still a very busy shipping area, so I'd better get back to dodging traffic.
Cheers, Rob.