Winds of Sardegna
Location: Sardinia, Italia
Hello again, readers! Long time no write.
My morning started around 3:30 am this morning as I was woken up for our last watch (besides student passage, but I expect that we'll hit differently). As I was watching the team leader again, I got the briefing and prepared my feet for being sore from standing for 4 hours straight. We were only 3 hours away! But half an hour later, we were already right next to Bonifacio, Corsica, but it was still pitch black. Tom gave us the option of going in circles, waiting for the sun to come up, or going straight there and missing the view. Of course, we love circling around well. Shout out to gyres and the Coriolis effect, am I right? So, we enjoyed playing, would you rather? We floated in all the wrong directions until the sky got to get lighter. A Q from Emma: Would you rather be sticky or itchy? There's only one right answer.
And it was so worth it. The view of the city on the cliffs from the water was so beautiful. Lucie showed us pictures from when she went there so we could imagine what it was like inside. After admiring the sights and sunrise, we then traveled onward toward Sardinia. My watch team (Zoe, Joey, Emma, & Andy) went to bed; Nate, Will, Mac, Shelby, & Tom dropped anchor and we were there! I had a wonderfully restful sleep.
We woke up to a lovely spread of CAULIFLOWER and lots of it! Yum. After lunch, cleaning up, and sweating our asses off, we set up the swim ladder for a much-needed swim. The water is so much saltier here! We had some beautiful jumps twists, and dives off the bowsprit as per usual, along with a most perfect dive competition between Nate & Mac, judged by Will. Mac won a battle, but Nate did win the war. Even Mac couldn't deny how beautiful that dive was, as he expressed, "Damnitt!" just as Nate went under.
After our swim, it was time for our last official Oceanography class! We started out by working on sending in an ID on a devil ray a few of us saw on Princess Alice, and I might get to name it if it's not registered yet! They are id'd by the markings on their bellies, as they all have different ones, and Michelle got a great photo. We then watched Sylvia Earle's TED Talk, and she had some enlightening things to say about the work we need to do to save our oceans. Our lecture was on climate change, and it was nice to get a comprehensive explanation to fill some potential gaps on a commonly discussed topic. I did get distracted by our ladybug a lot, though. Sorry, Shelby.
Oh yeah! I am very excited to announce that as of yesterday evening, Zoe discovered a stowaway that was so charming that we kept them on as a temporary crew member till we next reached land. Their name is Enid, they are a ladybug, and very adorable. Tom and Emma let me make a little home for Enid in a tupperware (I put some compost leftovers in there, replaced with a plum and some cabbage leaves today), and I hope it is cozy enough for the time being. And after more than 24 hours, Enid still lives!! I hope I can keep this lil' bug going till I find a nice bush to release them upon. But thank you, Enid, you have brought me much joy after a hard day yesterday. I do love caring for lil' creatures, and I think some others feel the same. This boat has been severely lacking in the pet department. (Although some of us do bark a lot)
We then studied and/or hung out till dinner, and it was very nice not to have a watch or anything to occupy us. I almost didn't know what to do with myself, we've been so busy recently it feels like! Dinner was amazing, we had pasta (made by Mac) with loads of pistachios crammed in there (shelled by Dan and Johnathan) and it was so good. For squeeze, we talked about the things we want to do before we leave (it's so soon I can't believe it), and ended up singing random notes, trying to harmonize. It was as chaotic as can be expected. OH! But I forgot to say, just as we were setting up for dinner, GUSTS of wind came rushing in at 35 knots! A bunch of little sailboats around us were happily speeding, then capsizing, and Tom decided to motor over to a safer harbor for the night. It was a fun and windy meal. During clean up, we were running from the wind with a ton of other boats; it was wild. My hat blew off. But I caught it, don't worry.
Currently, our brave PSCT students (Joey, Johnathan, Emma, and Andy) are taking their exams. I wish them the very best of luck, and you should, too! They've been studying hard, though, so they shouldn't need it.
Well, today was a good one. Thinking of those at home today, I can't wait to hug you.
Thanks so much,
Nora