Caribbean to Mediterranean: 70 day – Summer 2024

Today is day 60, which means we have spent just about two months aboard Vela. To think it’s been two months is crazy, but when compared to the places we have been so far and the things we have done, it starts to make sense. After all these days, Vela feels more and more like a home. It’s weird to have such a new environment turn into a comfortable place. My time here will be a lifelong story and probably one most people will never truly understand. It’s going to be sad to leave the boat. I have built so many memories and friends, but I am glad I have been able to be here.
Today started with the 4-8 watch with a 3:30 wake up. We were still able to see one of the lights from the coast of Spain, but we were starting to get further from the coast. My watch, Watch Team 1, is made of Me, Nate, Mac, and Shelby. Watch Team One is the only watch team I have ever actually been in. Although there were new people, I stayed on Watch Team 1 the whole time.
On watch, it was a relaxed time. We all had a coffee and shared some cookies. We inducted Nate into the no-seconds club, where we do not get seconds at meals. Despite not having seconds in hopes of not overeating, Mac still had six cookies (unreal). The sunrise was amazing, and it never gets old. Every sunrise on the 4-8 watch really helps raise the mood. After watch, most of us caught another 3 hours of sleep.
For lunch, we had some amazing bagels cooked by Emma, Zoe, and Joey ( I don’t think he helped much). Boat made bagels are incredible and probably my favorite meal on Vela. After lunch, we had two lectures on oceanography as we were nearing the end of the trip. There were quite a few sleepy heads during the lectures, including Johnathan, who looked like he had turned into a demon at one point because both of his eyes rolled back and white was showing. Then, Tom gave a short lecture on meteorology for the PSCT people. For dinner, we had some chicken pasta that was enjoyable, and overall, it was a calm day.