Location: Prickly Bay, Grenada
Today was our first full day in Grenada. A few members of the crew started the day bright and early with a sunrise run, ending on a beautiful cliffside. At our squeeze tonight, many of the runners expressed how freeing and calming it was to have that time to decompress, especially after such a long journey. We started off our morning with blueberry lemon bread and headed downstairs for a lesson on ocean sediments that ended with all of us eating way too many of the “sediments” (skittles). Our oceanography class was followed by marine biology, and we started off with a fish ID quiz we’d been anticipating and preparing for days. Coming up with elaborate hand motions and word associations to help remember each of their names. After we all totally aced our fish quiz, we learned about marine ecology, ending our lesson with a Mike and Ike lab. By the end, we’d all had more than enough sugar to fuel boat appreciation. I’ve really been enjoying our lessons, and I can tell everyone on the boat is excited to be learning new information and skills. There’s so much of the ocean we don’t know about, and I feel lucky to get to explore and learn about what we do know. I think we’re all falling in love with the ocean more and more with each new lesson, place, and activity.
After a refreshing lunch, we gathered in the cockpit to prepare for boat appreciation. We were all so grateful for Ocean Star giving us such a smooth passage to Grenada, and it was time to return the favor. We all deep cleaned just about every inch of the boat, scrubbing the floors and walls until they sparkled. We were all sweating buckets cleaning in the saloon, but we pushed through, fueled by country music and 2000’s songs that the crew’s voices almost entirely drowned out. (Special thanks to Kate and Mia for scrubbing the grey water tanks, we so greatly appreciate your sacrifice) Scrubbing the decks, heads, and bunks clean was so therapeutic, and it was so rewarding at the end when the boat smelled fresh and cleaner than ever. I’m so excited to climb into a clean bed tonight, and I can tell we’re all relieved to have a fresh start.
After boat appreciation, we all finally got to shower, and after spending the entire day sweating, I couldn’t have imagined anything more refreshing than jumping into the cool ocean water.
We ended our day with what I would consider our best meal so far- Tofu, guac, pico de gallo, rice, and beans (thank you, Heather).
I’d like to say thank you to Ocean Star for taking care of us and for being our home for the next three months. I feel so lucky to be here, and it still amazes me that I get to see so many more sunrises and sunsets in what just might be the most beautiful place on earth.
To my family- I miss you all so much, and I hope Yom Kippur is going well! G’mar Tov <3
(Photos: showers, sunset, Oceanography, morning run)