Preparations are being made to ring in the New Year; there will be much drinking, eating and partying. Resolutions to eat healthier, exercise regularly, drop bad habits and even make nice- especially with relatives, are being made. Then there are those like the members of Team Wadadli who just want to get home after competing in the world’s toughest ocean challenge, to be with family and friends.
Today, a huge wave broadsided boat, and there was a bit of a struggle to ensure that the boat didn’t capsize. The good news is that things seem to be in their favor since the winds switched back making rowing a bit easier. The crew is ok, JD’s stomach has mastered the queasiness, Nick has won the battle with the flu and the battery problem has been sorted out.
The crew saw their first whale, a magnificent pilot whale; there was a huge marlin that stalked the boat for a while and quite a few tuna however, these didn’t even make it to the line. The highlight of the fish encounters began when a dolphin took the line and engaged in a brief struggle that it won; the team was understandably disheartened and on the roaring Atlantic Ocean, one could hear a pin drop when this happened. This disappointment was quickly put aside when the line began to run again and this time, the mahi made it all the way to the pot, providing the crew with fresh meat for their pasta meal.
While other teams have reported suffering from hallucinations, none of the team members have reported experiencing these challenges possibly because there is a measured approach to the row. Calypso provides a familiar rhythm to the row and that bird –otherwise known as the guardian angel- is still watching over the crew. The real treat is the night sky, according to JD who remarks that the stars are really beautiful when all the other lights are out. That natural light show will serve as their fireworks display and will last longer than our fleeting experience. I am already jealous at the fact that they can experience the New Year under the magnificent Atlantic skies.