Sailing aginst the wind

Spent the whole time trying to find the blasted southern lands.

First I couldn't remember where i was to go next, so I headed south since it wasn't explored yet. Not long later I came across some giant cyclones and a cut scene saying that it's the entrance to the southern lands. So I keep heading south, all the while strong winds push the ship back as soon as I stop moving forwards, and of course random encounters every minute. Then I reach a wind wall and have to follow it west, slowly going against the wind, until I finally find the southern lands, which are just on the other side of those blasted wind wall around the pirate island. Then I had to search for a village to land in, and when I found one all the natives refuse to talk to my party...

All told it took me nearly an hour. Between the pedantic boss fights, frustrating flying, and insane random encounter rate, I'm not sure how this got such a high rating. Maybe the game really picks up later, I'm only about 20% the way through i think.