In May, the Caribbean Sea is in a season right before the full onset of the rain. The sky often carries a bright humidity, with clouds hanging low as if sails yet to be furled, and the sea breeze caresses the expansive ocean surface, creating alternating shades of deep blue and emerald green. Sunlight pours down through gaps in the clouds, making the crest of the waves surge like broken silver, while the reflective islands are scattered like stars.
At this time, the west wind is not yet firm, and the northeast trade wind is intermittent. With the lateen sails of the caravels, they can navigate in all directions but cannot travel very fast. When the long wind sweeps across the entire Caribbean Sea, the direction of each sail can be discerned.
