(Sailing Day 1 and 2) It’s 4 AM in the Coral Sea. I hear the waves and John’s snoring – a much better symphony than the angry, gusty seas we battled just an hour ago. That earlier sea state was way beyond my comfort level, forcing us to compromise by sailing a little downwind rather than upwind. The good news? The weather forecast predicts motoring for the next few days, so we can easily correct our course then.
Despite taking motion sickness pills, I felt utterly hopeless on the boat earlier. Thankfully, I’m finally feeling better, and my appetite is back. At sea, it’s crucial to eat well and get enough sleep; anything can happen, so a sound body and mind are essential for emergencies. My favorite motion sickness pills, chewable Bonine and Dramamine, weren’t available in Bundaberg. I bought what I could in Australia, but I don’t think it was strong enough for me.
Speaking of medications, it’s interesting how different countries have different laws. In Australia, you have to ask a pharmacist for motion sickness pills as they’re not on the shelf, whereas Sudafed is readily available. It’s the complete opposite in the US!
Oh, and after passing the top of Fraser Island, I saw so many whale spouts! The sea was too uncomfortable to bother taking pictures, but thankfully, the winds were blowing away from our boat, so I didn’t have to smell their breath.
Our escape artist cat, Happy, even managed to bring us a flying fish! I caught her carrying it almost all the way to the couch. When she dropped it, I quickly cut it into small pieces and fed both Swat and Happy. Swat, being the older cat, got the softest parts of the fish, but our little killer Happy ate everything – eyeballs, scales, and bones!
