Location: Atlantic Ocean/ 15'28.02'S 6'45.10'W
HELLO! Today was solely focused on finishing up the sail prep, putting up the sails, and saying our goodbyes to the wonderful Saint Helena! As we finished breakfast together and initiated cleanup and sail prep, Shane called out, “Whale shark!!” Sure enough, we look over the starboard side and see a massive grey figure near the surface! We all stand by the safety lines, watching it swim below until it’s out of sight, but that’s not all! As I sit on the bow spirt, hoping to see the whale shark make a reappearance, I spot a green sea turtle and call out, “Look over there!” Everyone once again turns their heads, and we watch this large sea turtle swim towards us until it swims away. If you didn’t think that was cool enough, we get back to taking in on lines and putting up the main stage when Ben then yells, “Look, a pod of dolphins!” No joke, Talia, Zac, Maddy, a few other stragglers, and I run over to the port side and, sure enough, see a huge (no hyperbole, there were at least 12 dolphins) pod of dolphins swimming towards the boat. Talia and I don’t hesitate! We clip in and crawl up on the bow spirit to catch the best view of these encroaching dolphins! The dolphins start playing and swimming with the boat (I got the coolest video of them swimming right under us) and they would surface the water and weave under the waves! After all of that excitement, it was hard to say goodbye to the stunning Saint Helena that was at our stern, but soon enough, the land was out of sight, and now we are officially getting our sea legs back! It should also be noted that today was Valentine’s Day, which included on our boat a few pranks and love letters (some anonymous, some signed.) Bennie made a sign for Argo staff giving them all of his love, which was well received (some good brownie points), and he also wrote two more One, he left anonymous, addressed to his roommate Eli with a kiss mark at the bottom of the page (still don’t know where he found the lipstick to do that,) and this letter was not received as well. Eli got so freaked out by the bold, passionate wording of his “secret admirer” that he was headed to report it to the captain, where Bennie had to come clean on the prank. Eli went from freaked out to on the floor laughing in seconds, and everyone who missed the context was left thoroughly confused and concerned for Eli. Olympus was also headmaster today, and as a Valentine’s Day gift from her, she worked overtime to bake the most delicious pumpkin bread! With all of the sugar fiends on the boat, we finished it in minutes and were so grateful! It was a great day back underway! To all the parents reading, your children are having the best time and are looking forward to updating you when we arrive in Fernando in two weeks!
To my family:
Mom & Dad, I love you and miss you loads! Get ready to hear me yap my head off with all my updates in two weeks!
To the two J-Rays, I also love you and miss you loads, and yes, I’m going to be yapping to you as well. Taking as many photos as I can!
To Riley, love you, and I cannot wait to see you and both yap our heads off!
From Talia:
To Claudette, everything aboard is safety first, so I will come back in one piece, alive and well, for your birthday! Miss you and excited to see you!