Night one was greeted with serious revelry that morning one atoned for. It was slow going for a few, but with nothing but time on hand, calm seas, and reasons aplenty to cut the attachments and release the weight of the world, tasks that were ventured, or not, were supported in equal measure. There is a time and place for everything. And presently on board Royal Star time has released these anglers from it's iron grip. It does not matter.

But it will, come another two days, and rest assured we will be rigged and ready to maximize every second of opportunity manifest. The serious action will begin then. Serious reflection is the theme now - on my watch. There is an air of tranquility; a sublime cushioning calm buttressed by atmospheric, broadstroke pastels that can not be described. It is endless in depth; like one of those mind bending Escher lithographs that burrow into infinity. At the very least it provides a moment of pause; a temporary escape from the tangible expectation of superior performance that drives us to push our limits, every time.

We live for it of course, and set the standard as such. And, we wouldn't want it any other way. Otherwise the division between mediocre and product exceptional would be obscured. Rest assured it is not. There are some fine operations out here doing a fantastic job that clearly demonstrate the professional level of dedication and expertise.necessary to succeed, necessary to earn the "highliner" distinction. It definitely shows - this is an environment resolute in determination to expose a house of cards. It is not one to trifle with. Choose wisely fellow anglers - all operations are not created equal. Experience and leadership mean everything out here.

So passes another day in fragile paradise. Still heading south, still ready for action, and still itching to prove our worth, we plod along dreaming of our perfect world. It is getting closer - a reckoning calls.

Tim Ekstrom