Last night the wind lacked courage but came back with the first daylight. Guppy is now blowing forward at a speed of about 6 knots [11 kilometres or 7 miles an hour]. I am in the middle of a group of three boats who set sail together from the Las Perlas Islands en route to the Galápagos Islands. One of the boats has been out of sight from the first day and is now 40 nautical miles behind [74 kilometres or 46 land miles]. The other boat, a American with a catamaran, is still visible on the horizon, and via VHF-radio we have conversations about the weather, the covered distance and of course the day’s highlight, the dinner. I have been with these boats since the San Blas Islands. Sailors are always very sociable people, there is always someone to talk to if you feel like it, and at least you know for sure that you are not the only creature that is roasting in the sweltering heat while bobbing ahead slowly. Besides the chats via VHF-radio, I use the short-wave-radio which makes it possible to call other boats that are out range of the VHF-radio. I have already been in contact with sailors who are berthed in the Galápagos Islands 400 nautical miles away [740 kilometres or 460 land miles]. Besides that, I read a lot.

Laura