Location: Palau
What a day to be the skipper. Today started with an 8-12 watch; my last watch was with watch team one. The weather was overcast, and along the horizon, we spotted dark lumps that seemed like clouds. Within a few minutes, we realized Palau was within reach. Within the four hours, we made our final friendship bracelets, shared chocolate from Fijian, listened to Stick Season, mindfully helmed, and brought Argo to dock like every other passage so far. I love watch team one.
The past 21 days were difficult. The first week felt like my worst nightmareblood, sweat, and tears, literally. Erratic sleeping, seasickness, unpredictable weather. Things got better the second week. Sail handling was rewarding, and conversations within watch teams became comfortable and routine. Passing the equator was a milestone and turning point. Morale rose, and the bonds we made along the way were tangible at that point. The final few days passed by quickly as life underway began to feel natural.
Watch team one became like a family for me. Between deep squeezes, story time, snack and karaoke nights, dance parties, and bunching up in the cockpit, there was rarely a dull moment. Forced proximity workout for a group I was unsure of at the beginning, an unlikely bunch resembling Breakfast Club. I’m going to miss it all.
We arrived at the commercial dock after lunch. In the middle of biting into a bean burger, I heard Steph yelling. We saw whales, and everyone was enamored. Life at sea for three weeks made everyone appreciate the small things. AC felt godsent every other night. Cold water? I haven’t heard of it. Walking around without a life vest feels naked. We would flip over, seeing logs and birds in the water.
We passed through customs fairly quickly. Before that, we spent an hour making our way through a reef channel between green all around. Land and a still surface to stand on feel foreign. We had a Seamanship class, where everyone took their final ICC tests and learned about invertebrates in Marine Bio. For dinner, we had a curry with coconut rice and enjoyed a conversation about whether the person to the left of us was bottom, middle, or top-bunk energy. It’s a boat thing.
Tomorrow, we will anchor and give back to Argo with BA. Today is the end of our longest passage and arguably the hardest part of this trip. I believe I speak for the majority when I say we’ve learned to appreciate rain, read the clouds for weather, and be grateful for one another regardless of our differences. Regardless of mental and physical states, we looked out for one another with kindness. I’ve learned so much about myself through tribulations during passage.
I miss you all, family and friends. Everyone should get a SIM card tomorrow, so expect contact soon. We are all eager to speak to our loved ones as well.
Till next time,
Emily