From never having sailed to now crossing the Atlantic Ocean from the Dominican Republic to Amsterdam, I am doing it big time!
After a sunny cocktail filled vacation in the Dominican Republic, I set foot on the Tres Hombres two weeks ago. The last few days in Boca Chica, I got to know the other trainees joining the ship as we all stayed in the same hotel ‘’Magic Tropical’’, run by the Hostess with the Mostess, Chamelia. I am working on a discount code for future trainees!
The past two weeks on the boat have flown by. Soon after leaving, we were treated to a wild sea (at least what I – who has never sailed – consider wild). Meaning big waves, a rainy first night watch and lots of wind. And all that while battling seasickness. Sick! Luckily the weather cleared up after two days, and with the appearance of the sun and warm weather, my seasickness disappeared like ice in the sun. A great introduction to sailing to say the least!
We celebrated the end of the first week by jumping into the ocean, as there was no wind and the sea was mild. A real treat!
I’d love to share some other things I learned or got to do for the first time in the past two weeks:
– Conquering seasickness that wasn’t all too bad. Luckily, because during my first nightwatch (with all the rain!), all my seasickness tablets fell out of my rain jacket and washed away on deck. Ai ai!
– Sea-life spotting: I saw the back of a whale and a dolphin, and lots of birds and flying fish
– Baking a brownie in a very moving and unstable galley
– Cooking food in a very moving and unstable galley
– Steering the ship, ahoi!
– Learning about ropes, knots, sails and all that important sailing stuff
– Getting arm muscles
– And so much more to come!
In the beginning – when waking up in the middle of a rainy night – I sometimes thought to myself: WTH am I doing here?! But those thoughts disappeared quickly, as I’m feeling more and more at home here on this ship. So to sum it up, I am enjoying my life on board, with for now still sun-filled and enriching days and with the amazing crew!
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