Palau Bound
Location: Pacific Ocean
It’s been a wet day on board the good ship Argo today! We had squalls throughout the night that brought wind and weather, but all watch teams fought bravely to ensure Argo stayed her course, making way towards Palau. On watch team two we had Faith stepping in and masterfully steering us through some heavier wind and waves this morning on the 8-12 watch. Our student watch team leader Amy kept vibes high and made sure everyone on watch knew their jobs and responsibilities. Sadie and Max were teaming up and heading to the bow to ensure that all rigging was handling the weather well, and that all of our lines on deck were neat. Shay did a lot of the engine room checks this morning and made sure that all systems were operatimg correctly. Juliet and Kennedy were making us all laugh with their positive energy and assisting with sail handling and all things on deck. Finally Julian brought the morning watch to an end by helming us through another little squall. I feel very lucky to have spent these past few weeks as watch team 2 leader and it has been such a pleasure teaching these students about Argo and being on watch!
For lunch Clam, Sadie and Kennedy made some delicious taco bowls that we enjoyed below deck before finishing the VHF course with an exam. Students staying until Bali also had a marine bio lecture from Jen. For dinner we had pasta with chickpeas. and everyone was so grateful to the chefs who put their whole heart into making food for us all through the rough seas!
We’re nearing the end of this long crossing and although it has been a challenge at times, I keep reminding myself and students about what an amazing accomplishment this will have been! I am so grateful to get to experience this adventure with these people on board. I feel a tad nostlagic already knowing that we will be done with this passage in a few days, but also so excited about having a few days at anchor! As we wind down for night watch we have struck the main sail and are motor sailing with the main stays, forward staysl and jib, doing about 6knots. We’re seeing 2.5-3 m waves and currently heading slightly W of N. Everyone is excited to speak with their loved ones again in a few days! Until then. we will don our foulies, sing songs on night watch, huddle through the squalls and dream about TimTams!
Big love to my fam and to Sam!
Emma