Wednesday, 3rd of September, 2008
14.00 Darwin Time,  12 32 S; 103 52 E.

Cloudiness: 50%, batteries are charging 8 ampere, wind speed – around 20 knots, more or less (rather more than less, I assume), for I have no instruments to measure it...

It is amazing how one can get used to things which seem impossible to be considered normal: how fast you learn that you have to put your leg here or there in order not to be washed away, or thrown for another bruise... before a wave hits, it is important to grab something, and this comes somewhat naturally with time...
Another night at sea passed. How was it? Very uncomfortable, for sure, but also the scariest moment of my journey. Here’s the story...
I went up on deck in the evening in order to look around. I looked at the cloudy sky above me and at all these fierce waves around. I was stunned. I was just standing there, my hands gripping the forecastle, and my legs fixed against seats – and I watched... I watched what the sea was doing with my yacht, how the wind roamed in my rigging... I watched and admired! A whisper left my lips: ”how beautiful!...” and it was what scared me most. Instead of looking for shelter, hide myself under a pillow, I just stood amazed by what I saw. The grayness of the Indian Ocean is so amazingly beautiful! So dangerous, thrilling, and yet beautiful.

410 miles to Cocos Keeling Islands. My goodness, already so close? Is there nowhere in the world where time passes at a slower pace? Maybe you know such a place? I will gladly exchange one of my secrets for yours...