Location: Fiji to Palau
Greetings from the middle of the ocean! Currently, the closest land mass is in Vanuatu’s Banks Islands, which are about 140 nautical miles to our west. We are steadily making course to Palau and, although the days on passage are beginning to blend together, there are plenty of moments that make each day special. Today, watch team 2 (Spencer, Elanore, Lainey, Lexy, Kackie, Anna, and I) were doing our regular morning helming, boat checking and sail manning when we spotted a pod of small dolphins to port. Tomer said it was my Irish music and sea shanties that brought them over. Probably right. We watched them dance until noon and then enjoyed a lunch of scones and sandwiches made by Mathilda, Casey, and Lexy. By then, the waves had picked up, and the boat rocked back and forth a lot more. Although I am grateful this has not yet made me seasick, me and the rest of the student crew are still acclimating to our sea legs. Slips are common, Doors often swing open wildly, showers are intense, and cooking and eating without sending food and dishes flying across the deck is a near-impossible task. Today, we had onions fall down into the bilge below deck, and I sailed into Sidney in the salon after a particularly gnarly roll. As Spencer says, “I would be lying if I said this was for the faint of heart.” Even with the constant crashing, banging, and falling of objects and people, we still find time to sleep, attend class, and have fun together. Today, Steph hosted an Oceanography lecture on marine sediments followed by a very entertaining 80-minute video on emergency first response. Finally, we ended everything with a dinner of spaghetti bolognese. Tomorrow is a big day for me because I am head chef, which is, for some, the most dreaded job, especially when underway. We also have an essay due which I have not yet had time to start and all of us have watch at some point tonight, so it’s time for me to sign off. We are getting close to the end of the first leg of our passage, where we will pass very close to the Solomon Islands. My team’s on watch right now, so I have to go make sure everything’s shipshape on deck, but enjoy these photos! The next time you hear from me, Argo will probably be in Palau. Shoots!