The 6AM to 8AM watch is probably one of the best shifts to have. You’ve generally gotten a good night’s sleep, and everything is quiet on board, because everyone else is sound asleep. It’s a chance to enjoy the silence of the ocean and the beauty of the skies.
Tonight, the sky is incredible. It’s clear, there are so many stars, even a few shooting stars, and I can see some planets. Venus looks huge; there are also a few satellites. I flop down in a beanbag chair, with some music playing in the background. It’s a group called “Fakear” playing on shuffle. As luck would have it, the first song on the playlist is “Dancing stars.” What more could I ask for? Excellent timing.
At 6:35, the dark sky starts melting into a deep blue. Bands of orange, red, and deep yellow slowly fade to pale, and soon the sun will peek over the horizon. I can still see Venus.
Of course I keep a close eye out for other ships (we haven’t seen any for five days) and unidentified floating objects. Even in the midst of this beauty, you can never let your guard down.
Barely an hour later, sunrise is over, the darkness is completely gone and I’m surrounded by pinks, blues, oranges, and yellows. The colors are pale, and there are a few clouds. The sun still isn’t up, but it will be soon. It’s really starting to glow to the east. The changing colors are breathtaking; I’m struck by them every time I see them, and it’s a sight I never get sick of.
At 8AM, Pascal will take over the watch and everyone on board will slowly start to roll out of bed. A new day begins.