Bali to South Africa – Fall 2023

Shortly after Daniel and Wes completed their 24-hour challenges, watch team 2 relieved watch team 1 and started our 8-12 am watch. It started off with a Zumba class hosted by Lucia, which consisted of our entire watch team trying to teach Griffin how to do a dance move called the death drop and Lucia screaming at us to run in place. After this, our fearless Zumba instructor volunteered to lead our sail raise. Ayden and Finn were sweating and taking up on the halliard while Lina and I tended the mermaid line. Griffin remained down below doing coolant watch. It was a little chaotic because of the combination of the waves and Ayden's feebleness but we eventually were successful in our efforts.
By the time the main sail was up, lunch made by head chef Audrey was ready. She made walking tacos, and they were served down below because of the sea state. After lunch for Seamanship, we watched a movie called Maiden, which is about the first female group to compete in the Volvo Ocean race. In the middle of the movie, we were interrupted by Steph and Allie screaming that there were dolphins, so of course, we all threw our PFDs on and ran to see them. The general consensus after the movie was over was how most of us had forgotten we were even on a sailboat while watching and discussed how easy it is to forget that we are actively crossing an ocean while sitting in class or doing what has become our new normal. Our second class was only half of the students who did their navmaster charting practice problems with Tom in the Saloon. When classes were over, watch team 1 went back on watch, and everyone else worked on their oceanography projects, studied for the marine bio exam, or took naps. We had dinner and wrapped up the day with my squeeze question, which was what everyone's favorite part of the passage had been. The answers ranged from seeing bioluminescent dolphins, the stars without light pollution, and late-night watch team conversations.
Miss you, Mom and Dad!