MAKAI
MAKAI (Toward the Sea)
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. -Lao Tzu
Or in my case, a journey of 7,000 nautical miles began with untying the dock lines. Since I was young I dreamt of sailing around the world. I eventually had my chance to set off across the Pacific Ocean when I was in my 30s. In May 2000, I sailed away from San Diego on a day like any other. But once out past the harbor entrance when all the other boats were turning back, mine was not. I was on a 38’ sloop with my boyfriend and we had spent the last year preparing for this voyage.
On our first passage ever we crossed the equator and navigated through the wild and crazy Inter-Tropical Convergent Zone (referred to the doldrums-but they were nothing of the like for us) heading south to Polynesia. We could smell soil the day before seeing the island of Hiva Oa after being at sea for 27 days. The journey was like nothing I’ve ever experienced and has changed me in ways I can’t explain. It has affected the way I see the world, make decisions about my future, and edges into my life every day.