A Shark Ate My Finger (But not Really - Don't Panic)
Location: Navadra, Fiji
Hello, parents and weirdos reading this blog,
Today was a wonderful day (a big thumbs up to my mum). First, we woke up, and breaky wasn't ready, so we got the wheels moving in other ways (cleaning the trash, descaling fish, vacuuming beds, rowing the boat, washing the dishes, and other odds and sods).
After all that hard labor, we ate a delicious fritatatatatatata. Yumm—more dishes. Finally, we got motoring and were taught how to raise the sail even though we didn't use it (it was just for looks (and stability)). Sailing (just motoring with a sail raised) was awesome! Tomer even let a few of us steer the boat. There were lots of lovely islands and beautiful water.
During this driving journey, we dined sans wine but with chopped salad, hummus, and homemade flatbread, which was also a very solid meal. During said meal, Casey and I (Sidney) discovered the most perfect lunch spot: next to the cockpit, wedged between the side railing of the boat. This spot is ideal for good back support, foot placement, and shade.
After this amazing discovery, we arrived at Navadra. AND NO JOKE. I have never seen clearer water in my whole life, all 19 years of it. We could see about 90 feet down. It was so cool. But perhaps this was one-upped by the "arrival committee" about six sharks swimming around the boat (never fear, though, we have been told they don't bite).
After parking this thang, those of us who don't yet have any diving certifications took off to get that learning done, notably Lexy, Olivia, and Matilda! We started our open water dives, which get more fun every time. I'm still not sold yet, but it is still very beautiful.
Mum don't stress: but so far #notintodiving. We have to remove our masks underwater and then clear them; it's like involuntary submersion. But, I just tell myself, it's okay, it's okay, it's okay! Then after powering through I discovered that I like it a little more than last time and its neat. However, after this adventure, the water and wind got wild, and we had a fresh to mildly frightening journey back to our home (Argo) in the dinghy.
Then, food continued to pop off, including pizza and honey, as the boat rocked back and forth. I still can't believe we are all here on this trip. We then did the cult thing, where we held hands and said the things we appreciated from the day. Overall, it was a great day, but the boat is still rocking aggressively, and it's throwing me for a bit of a loop—but we shall survive.
Lovingly from the people on this boat,
Sidney