Location: Langkawi, Malaysia
Today we started with a delicious breakfast of crepes with toppings of Nutella, peanut butter, fruit, lemon juice, and sugar, fruit prepared by our captain Sam. It was delicious and just what I needed after staying up late preparing bread for the next day’s dinner. After cleanup, we had an EFR (emergency first responders) class, where we learned how to treat victims for primary and secondary care. While EFR was going on, some of us went up on deck to start setting up the boom swing. We had to top the main boom using the mainsail halyard and then swing the boom out over the side of the boat with two guy lines on either side. Before all of that, though, you must tie the actual rope swing to the end of the boom, with about 8 of us working together to finally get the end knot where you stand made. After the swing was set up, we had to try it out; everyone was doing backflips, twist flips, and flips on accident. The only rule to the boom swing is you have to let go; as Leah would say, “130 tons will always win.” The boom swinging continued in the afternoon after lunch and then finally put back before dinner.
My squeeze question tonight was, “If you had a fountain, what would you want to come out of it?” The answers ranged from mango juice to chocolate to time machines! The trip seems to be getting better and better as we go along, and we’re also getting closer and closer as a group. The last months have just flown by, and I know I’ll miss the friends I’ve made here. Signing off, James Watson. PS. Happy birthday, John!! I’m sorry I couldn’t be home for your day; I hope you have as good a day as I have! I love you, brother.