I was told to look for mermaids before I started and today we were actually chased by a creature that would come closest to being described as a mermaid! A seal kept chasing us for over 15 minutes, coming quite close, stopping, taking a good look with its head bobbing above the water and as it fell behind, chasing us again. The sea was calm and we were doing an easy 6 kts. It was quite a sight, seeing it jump out of water and also swimming underwater when it would come close to the transom. A totally different experience than being followed by a dolphin.
Looks like this will be the last post of this leg. As I write we are about 30 Nm from Lyttleton harbour and need to reach there by 0530 to meet the pilot and our agent for the Port. The Defence advisor has planned some photography etc as we enter, so will show off a bit around the harbour and then enter by 1000 h. Judging by the links below we are more than expected in the harbour and looking forward to it!
http://www.google.com/url?sa=X&q=http://www.voxy.co.nz/national/lpc-welcomes-indian-solo-round-world-sailor/5/30728&ct=ga&cd=94pPkOTW3Ho&usg=AFQjCNHqZh5Pygz5WXZQ-SguXHXiWm2hhA
http://www.google.com/url?sa=X&q=http://www.voxy.co.nz/sport/first-indian-sailing-solo-around-world-arrives-christchurch/5/30822&ct=ga&cd=oWdbdw4pjPE&usg=AFQjCNHNAWIXtyUdICK2e98_-FeAtWLJAA
This will be the end of leg II, the shortest of the legs. We would have covered over 3200 Nm in 20 days across the Great Australian Bight and the Tasman sea. Barring a few days while crossing the Tasman sea where the Southern Ocean showed a hint of what it can throw up, I must say we have had exceptionally good weather through out the leg. Trying to remain awake tonight as this if the first time since leaving Mumbai that we are sailing so close to the coast at night. Luckily it is warmer than the last few nights so easy to stay on deck all bundled up alternating between regular cups of hot soup & coffee.
17 comments:
"Commander Donde will depart for the Falkland Islands after his two week stopover in Lyttelton, where his girlfriend is expected to meet him. His sole travelling companion for the gruelling trip has a soft tweety bird toy.
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Read the link , you have a girl friend , its a shpcking news to me!!
Is that a Seal?
Am i reading this right?? You're going to stop at ONLY four ports?????
Outta which two are already done
Please do post an answer in ur next post as i still havent found a way of getting a reply from u
Have a great time in NZ with the kiwis, Ravi and Rashmi.
Commander Donde will depart for the Falkland Islands after his two week stopover in Lyttelton, where his girlfriend is expected to meet him. His sole travelling companion for the gruelling trip has a soft tweety bird toy.
way to go buddy !!! girlfriend I can understand ....tweety ..well ..ok now I have heard it all
Dear Dilip,
I had a question regarding the weather you experienced during this leg of the circumnavigation. The Konkan coast, including Mumbai, as well as Pune and some other regions along the west coast of the Deccan faced rains which are highly unusual in this time of year. These rains were a result of a cyclonic storm viz. Cyclone Phyan, and as per the Indian Meteorological Department such a storm is a first for the said region in a period of 43 years. Some scientists, including the likes of Dr. R.K. Pachauri, are speculating that this unusual weather is a symptom of climate change. This is of special significance to Mumbai, because a UN panel on climate change (2007) and a report of the IPCC claimed that, the city would face the maximum brunt of climate change due to its large areas of reclaimed ocean land.
You yourself faced a little bad weather when you started out from Freemantle and even had to go through a Southern Ocean Gale as you approached the Southern tip of New Zealand. Since you’re in touch with other people who have previously sailed this route, I was wondering if you could tell me whether the weather you faced was unusual for November? It would be great to know what your perspective and that of other experienced sailors might be, regarding the reasons for the unusual weather conditions. Could there be any connection between the weather you faced and that in the Arabian Sea? Could that connection be climate change?
Warmest regards,
Nishant
P.S. - Hearty congratulations to you for having reached Lyttleton, New Zealand. Please do remain connected with us, through blogging and writing back, during your stay there.
Welcome to Christchurch New Zealand! It was a privilege to meet you at this evening's Civic Reception, and yours is indeed a remarkable story. As I said tonight, all of us who attended applaud your spirit, your courage and your enterprise. There is now a band of Kiwi brothers and sisters keenly watching your progress, praying for your safety and taking a small sense of ownership in your mission. Warmest regards, Don
Hey buddy am back, missed out on your blogs, but i kept waiting to read, for many days i could not find any write ups nor news , am so happy our second destination has been achieved................nothing can stop a go getter..........genuine hardwork, support from good ones and seamless determination...........missing you
best wishes for the ardous journey ahead..sandhu
Congrulations as fopr reaching your second destination!!
Pls clarify about your girlfriend ?? There are lot of speculations going for it by your admirers on your blog .
Greetings Dilip, Congratulations on completing your second leg. We wish you fair winds for the successful completion of your voyage. You have already achieved a lot. I admire and commend you for it. Keep smiling and the sun will also keep shining for you. Someone said that - stay positive as you already are. God bless.
cograts for completing second leg.
Regards,
SKY
Hi,
Sorry have not been leaving any comments of late. No excuses but be sure I was following every move. Have a good time in NZ. Do take time and write about the port and activities too.
Regards,
Subir.
Hey Dilip
As you plan to sail out on the third leg, may 'Varun' puff your sails with fair winds.
You look majorly sexy with the 'chitti' growth - looks like one will have to stop dyeing, if only to show the affiliation and support to the 'Eagle'. Enjoy the trip Baby, for each gale and gentle breeze passes by only once - the journey is of essence !!
Hope you are well serviced, oiled up and recharged.
cheers
hi, so hoping to read your blog again, i think your march towards our 3rds destination has began....
its so annoying that r press is not taking any notice of ur expedition, not for publicity but it is such a live experience to learn a lot from. it was their moral responsibility to make rest of the indians aware of such event and they should have kept in touch with you (dilip),published your blog etc etc.............
anyways, wished i could have covered your entire expedition .............
anyways take care, n kp writing
Hello good evening, CQ CQ, and where are you please now?
Best/V Malik/delhi india
It's amazing to see how many kilometers seals travel to find a good place for a while and them they gone.
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