The beginning of a long trip

We left Saint Martin yesterday after a day of chaos. We had food deliveries, emptied trash and topped up our diesel-tanks. The starboard watch had worked all day while we were in port and needed a break before beginning their night watch. To make sure they got that, the portside and midships watches had to jump in and take care of everything that needs to be done before leaving for such a long leg. Around 19 00 we left Saint Martin and land for the last time in 22 days.

To know that we have 22 days of sailing, studying and sleeping in front of us is both frightening and exciting. The first couple of days are usually hard. If you get seasick this is the worst part. On top of that your sleep schedule changes drastically. I went from sleeping 9 hours between 22 and 07 to going to bed at 04 and waking up for lunch with barely 7 hours of sleep.

When out sailing, you are always tired. I believe it’s a combination of lack of sleep, hard work in a very warm climate and on top of that schoolwork that needs to be done and needs to be good. But there is also something else. There is no reason for me to be this tired. Maybe living on a moving boat demands more energy than living in a house on an island?

I also know that it gets better the longer we’re at sea. I guess your body gets used to your new routine and you learn when you need to take naps to stay awake until 4 in the morning.

Despite all of this I am very excited about this last leg onboard T/S Gunilla. It’s hard to believe I came here for the first time more than 2 years ago and it’s even harder to believe that we’re soon leaving for the last time. I am excited for nightly promenades in the rig and the pizza sandwiches I’m going to eat during night watches. Overall, I am excited to spend our last time on T/S Gunilla having fun!

Ingrid, Portside