Location: Piaynemo, Raja Ampat
Our day was off to a cracking start with some overnight coconut chia pudding for breakfast that our head chef, Isaac, had whipped up the evening before (my personal favorite brekkie at home and on board, maybe second to Argo’s awesome boat pancakes). Whilst everyone was tucking in, Jack and I had an exciting announcement to make; following an adjudication of the sandcastles, we could announce the winners for yesterday’s Leadership Challenge Course! The looks on everyone’s faces as we got a drum roll going and delivered 3rd, 2nd, and finally first place were priceless. It was extraordinarily close, and the scavenger hunt turned out to be the deciding factor. With one point in it, the Blue team of Everett and Clam (team captains), Maya, Skye, Harrison, Maxwell, Isaac, Cornelia, Andrew, and Emma took the victory!
Following rambunctious cheering, spirits were high, and we were ready for another stunning dive in paradise. This was especially exciting for those currently undertaking Rescue Diver (going back to being a student; this includes me!). We spent the morning conducting various search patterns and rescue drills for tired, panicked, and unconscious divers. As well as being important, potentially life-saving training, it is a lot of fun! Special mention to my awesome dive buddy, Maya. If you are familiar with the beautiful art of scuba diving, you will understand that it can leave you feeling lightly weary; well coupled with multiple hours in the water and continually dragging your dive buddy to the surface, I can tell you we were all utterly exhausted by the end and ready for some sustenance back aboard our wonderful floating home.
During lunch we departed the beautiful anchorage of Fam to seek shelter in a stunning lookout spot known as Piaynemo. This location is a Geological Heritage site and is a place of such pride for the people of Raja Ampat that it is the design on the highest denomination bank note for Indonesia! We had a friendly chat on Ch. 16 to a passing live-aboard yacht, White Manta, who informed us there was a mooring buoy we could tie up to, hooray! Thankfully, in the daylight, this was a much easier task than it had been at our previous destination in Kri, and we secured ourselves on the first attempt. We split our crew into two groups and set out for the famous viewpoint that provided near panoramic views of this incredible landscape. (Which of course, resulted in an awesome photo-op, attached). The gorgeous view, however, was not the most exciting part of this trip; some major highlights (which received multiple appreciations of the day for the students at Squeez) included: a baby black-tip reef shark, a huge pufferfish, and a giant slithery lizard.
Having been in group 1 of this mini excursion, I had a little downtime once we got back before dinner, which to me was sitting in my hammock writing my diary and soaking up the gorgeous sun and scenery. This was followed by a jam sesh with Shane where we proceeded to sing and play the guitar together from said hammock until we had to get back to work. These small musical moments on board are truly a highlight and reset moment for me. They add a little extra magic and calm to what is a busy life at sea.
Our head chef Isaac and his sous’ous Addy and Emma conjured up some glorious street taco bowls for dinner with a surprise at the endIsaac’sacs signature Horchata! (in keeping with the Mexican theme). As we all settled down, stomachs full and feeling a little lethargic, I proposed the squeeze question of the day: When you are feeling tired or low, what do you do to recharge your batteries? Answers varied (as they always do) from silly to sweet and sentimental. I shared with the group that personally (and unsurprisingly) I recharge through singing, spending time around the ones I love, and being by the sea. So all in all, Argo is a pretty perfect place for me! The only thing lacking is my dearest loved ones back in the UK and scattered overseas.
To all those near and far, know that I am thinking of you right now and cannot wait for the next opportunity to give you a huge Jen Hug!!
With all my love, sweet dreams xxx