In our first year of South Pacific cruising we have crossed
several invisible lines: the equator, the international dateline, and
significant marks on our personal timelines – we began our 27th year
of marriage and Curtis turned 50.
Crossing the equator is maritime rite of passage steeped in
tradition, when a mere “pollywog” sailor transforms into a seasoned
“shellback.” All simply by crossing an
invisible line quite literally in the middle of the ocean. We became shellbacks
at 5:45pm on the 17th of April 2018, nearly one year ago. After 16
days of sailing without any landmarks, watching the numbers steadily decreasing
on the GPS latitude becomes quite exciting, along with anticipating the thrill
of making this exciting announcement when checking in with fellow cruisers on
the evening’s SSB radio net.
Many sailors celebrate with elaborate ceremonies, dressing
up in costumes and enjoying a rare libation at sea, pouring some overboard to
appease King Neptune. We skipped the costumes and feasted on homemade Key Lime
pie, thanking God for his presence and protection on our journey.
We crossed the international dateline when sailing to Tonga.
A few days of sailing at a brisk 8 knots from Niue to Neiafu, and we skipped
right over Monday (if you’re going to skip a day of the week, Monday’s a great
choice). We arrived on Tuesday, the 28th of August. “It’s Tuesday,
Grommit” we smiled happily as we cleared customs and began six weeks of
relaxing island hopping in the Vava’u group.
“Time and tide wait for no man” is another nautical notion
that we are reminded of almost daily living on a boat and dragging our dinghy
up beaches. Time passes invisibly, the
days and years rapidly slipping away like water in a wake behind us. We
celebrated our 26th wedding anniversary on October 30th
in New Zealand. Here we are living on a sailboat in the South Pacific, feeling
a bit like newlyweds embarking together on an entirely new life.
We celebrated Curtis’ 50th birthday on the 3rd
of December 2018. (Not far behind, Julie
began the last year of her 40’s on March 6th, 2019). We
realize each day aboard Manna is a gift, and we experience with fresh awareness
God’s daily provision. Just as he provided manna each morning for the
Israelites to eat while sojourning in the desert, God provides for us in often
unexpected ways!
