Location: Antigua
Oh wow, we did it. Day 89 was such a mix of sadness, sentimentality, laughter, and memories. Our last full day aboard Argo as a crew was incredible, but it definitely felt weird completing all of the last tasks you’ll ever do. I somehow even got nostalgic as I was cleaning the toilets for the last time, which is saying something. Darien cried while she cleaned her last dish in the dishy pit, and we all cried during Calum’s last count-off, which Dave documented. This crew has become a family. We all can anticipate each other’s mood swings, reactions, and finish each other’s sentences with ease. It’s truly unbelievable that this experience is coming to an end. We’ve all agreed that this life on a boat feels permanent, normal, and just right now. The fact that we’re all leaving is so hard to even comprehend, because none of us has even eaten a single meal alone for the past three months. Going home will be amazing for its own reasons, but the transition will be tough. We have been an inseparable team that has no option but to appreciate and love each other.
On our last full day, we gave Argo some well-deserved boat appreciation. She got us across the Atlantic and more safely (6,300 nautical miles!!), so we gave her some love and left her sparkly clean. We blasted some tunes, and the boat appreciation flew by, and we all just enjoyed some of our last moments together.
Then, we got cleaned up for our last sign-out night. Thankfully, we were able to use shore showers, which have a tiny stream of cold water, but now feel incredibly luxurious after 3 months on a boat.
I was responsible for coming up with the last squeeze question, which felt like an INSANE amount of pressure. I was so stressed about coming up with a question that’s a perfect mix of reflective, tear-jerking, and also positive. I decided to go with something along the lines of: What’s something or someone that got you through some of the hardest parts of this trip, or what is something you’re grateful for that someone did for you on this trip? Mine was how Benny would always brighten up watch and make it easy to wake up at all hours of the night by always telling some ridiculously funny jokes. This question definitely started some weeping; by the end, I could barely talk. To end the squeeze, I had everyone line up holding hands, and I rolled into the center and created a huge cinnamon roll group hug. To celebrate our last night as a group, we dinghied over to a restaurant called “Trappas,” ordered some drinks, and ate some good food. Kiki’s brother and Benny’s parents showed up randomly, and it was so crazy to meet people’s families that we’ve heard so much about! Dinner was amazing, and everyone had good laughs and chats. When we came home to Argo, the group gathered around for guitar sing-alongs. This trip has definitely had key songs that will always remind me of this trip and this crew. We played “Cornwall,” “Riptide,” “Bar Bathroom Light,” “Revival,” “What’s Up?” and more. People had a couple of cards left to write to each other, and then everyone finally went to bed for the last time in their bunks. The boat is starting to feel emptier and emptier.
There have been lots and lots of hugs and tears, which just show how amazing this trip has been. Truly unforgettable.
I LOVE ARGO CREW SPRING 2025!!!!!!!! I will miss you guys, but we will definitely see each other again (There’s already been talk of chartering a sailboat for a reunion).
To my fam: I can’t wait to see you guys soon. The debrief of this trip will probably never end; get ready for a bunch of boat terminology!
Four-Flush-Fiona out!!