by Tuesday, August 16, 2022
Today was our first official day out at sea. I feel both excited to be here and nervous about seasickness. So far, I’ve managed to escape feeling sick. I owe this to a good combination of ginger, hydration, and plenty of time outside.
The ship’s crew have taught us an incredible amount about sailing so far. One of my favorite things was learning about the safety procedures during an abandon ship call. When this happens, the crew meets at an assigned station by a raft with a vest and “Gumby” suit (in reference to the Claymation character because the suits made us look like Gumby). We all had to practice putting this on today – it felt a lot like an oversized scuba suit. Although easy to slip in, I hope I never have to wear one again.
The afternoon was probably the most incredible part of the day. There were dozens of whales around the ship swimming in different pods. A sailor on board said they were likely Humpback Whales. Jose, one of our instructors, thought they were Minke Whales. The experience was incredible, I’ve never been whale watching before and am glad to have been treated with such an amazing first experience. It’s moments like these that remind me of the blessings the Earth grants us.
I feel small being on this ship. The vastness of the Ocean has me in complete awe. It’s a reminder of how small of a role I play in Nature. However, I’m ever grateful to be part of it, and hope to continue discovering natural beauty in experiences like this one.
– Mariana Lie
