This morning Khulula is rocking along in very confused seas under a leaden grey sky. The dawn has just broken, revealing large rainstorms all around us, tracking westwards in the trade winds. Between the clouds the sunrise is managing to jab brilliant shafts of etheral light toward the earth, sweeping the ocean like spotlights from the heavens. The crew slumbers and I(Ryan) contemplate the morning, and use the fresh morning breeze to shake off the queeziness of a very uncomfortable night. Yesterday afternoon the wind began to build, and started whipping the seas into large rollers with small breaking tops. Usually this is not a big deal, however, this time our course has us with the wind and seas coming directly “on the beam”. To the non sailors this means perpendicular to the boat, and with the result of a sickening rolling motion combined with VERY fast boat speeds. So, you win some you lose some: The boat motion is not the best, but we are laying down some serious mileage. 3 hours ago we passed the half way mark between Bali and Cocos Keeling. Currently Xmas Island is 30 miles due south of us, and the evidence of land is everywhere: Seagulls, Gannets, Albatrosses and dolphins…