Partially cloudy skies with occasional sunshine, together with Minke whales gave us the welcome to this new day at the Sotia Sea.

Partially cloudy skies with occasional sunshine, together with Minke whales gave us the welcome to this new day at the Sotia Sea. From early morning two of those whales pay us a visit, and curious as they can be, check the ship from all angles, moving from aft to the bow, port to starboard. Spectacular sight from up the rigging while we unfurl all remaining canvas to be set soon. Lookouts and many of us ran on deck to enjoy those cetaceans even before breakfast time. Minkes are the smallest of the rorqual whales, being not much larger than the largest of the dolphin family, the killer whale. If lucky, sometimes, like today, they will approach and swim around small boats and ships at sea.

Anyway, if they are at a certain distance it is a difficult whale to observe at sea, for its blow is quick and inconspicuous. They can be found in all oceans, being mostly inshore animals, although they occasionally venture into the open ocean. Eventually they got enough of inspecting the Europa and continue their way. By then the sails that have been unfurled are set, and we sail under full canvas (with the exception of the Flying Jib and Dekzbabber) on decreasing winds, that gradually have been veering from S-ly to become W-ly. At this point Gjis gather the watch on deck to explain the manoeuvre that we were about to perform: under those wind conditions is time to Wear ship.