Location: Koror, Palau
Goodbyes are hard, especially after such a bonding experience. Today was a sad day for us on Vela. We started the day with a great breakfast by Kayla, including coffee cake and scrambled eggs. Then we had a brief final clean-up, all the 40-dayers cleaned their bunks, and finished packing. We gathered on deck with all their bags and saw them off on the dinghy. There were lots of tearful goodbyes and wishes for each other for the rest of the summer, whether we stay on Vela or return home for the next adventure. It is crazy to think that we were all strangers just 40 days ago. This trip has brought all of us so close together, and I think we would all agree that lifelong friendships were made here. There is something so special about only seeing and interacting with the same 29 people for 20 days straight. We know it is something few will understand, but it turns strangers into family very quickly. After all the goodbyes were said, the 80-dayers got a shore day for the rest of the day. Some of us met up with the 40-dayers for lunch and spent the day around the island with them. Others went to a resort and got a day pass to enjoy a day of good food and swimming in a nice pool. Some went hiking and exploring around the island. At the end of the day, a group of us met up at the drop-off for one final dinner together. When we showed up, we were so glad to have bumped into some of the 40-dayers there.
We had an emotional final squeeze together where I got to ask everyone what their favorite memory was from the trip. I think that moment was my appreciation for the day, just having the chance to do something that became so special for all of us one final time. It was nice to have that final goodbye moment with such wonderful people who became family in such a short time. Unfortunately, I have to keep this blog short and sweet because Im starting to tear up just writing it. Shout out to all our amazing 40-dayers!! We are all thinking of you and already miss you guys like crazy! Good luck on your next adventures, and dont forget to check in on the blog. For the final time, yall have been blogged! Love you guys!!