The last 24 hours were perhaps some of the best sailing we’ve ever had on Akuna—the kind of movement that could turn even the hardiest landlubber into a dreamer of the sea.

Around 4:30 a.m. the wind began to build and slowly shifted into almost the perfect direction. By 7:00 a.m., with full main and Code 0, we were gliding along at 8.5 knots—occasionally touching 9—on a silky-smooth sea with virtually no waves.
A sailor’s dream, and it lasted nearly until 6:00 p.m.
Pure magic on the water.

The day passed in high spirits with a bit of schoolwork, some games, and lots of wildlife spotting. We saw a turtle and several flying fish—but, I must admit, I wasn’t entirely disappointed to miss the kind of encounter another ARC boat reported: a curious pair of orcas. Apparently they showed interest and hung around the rudders but with no consequences. I truly hadn’t realized they came this far south… another thing learned out here.

Around 6:30 p.m. we started the engine again, hoping the forecast holds and that the sails will fill once more around midday on Friday—when the long-awaited tradewinds should finally carry us straight to Mindelo.

There may have been a fair bit of motoring so far, but the day’s sailing was nothing short of epic. We couldn’t have asked for better conditions, and we’re deeply grateful for such a glorious stretch of bluewater sailing.