Programs Blog

Author: Emma Mason (Colorado College), Olivia Harris (Colorado College), Lila Hensley (University of Vermont)

Ship’s Log

24 November 2023
Current Position: Docked in Auckland
Ship’s Heading and Speed: Stationary
Weather: Windy with occasional showers

Hello everyone! For some of us, the morning started quite early, as Emma had
dock watch from 2:30-4:00am, and Lila had dock watch from 4:00-5:30am. For
everyone else, the morning started by enjoying a wonderful breakfast taco
spread. It was on the chillier side so everyone bundled up and quickly
poured their coffee. The peppermint mocha syrup has been a special delight.
A Watch scrubbed and dubbed the dishes, B Watch used some elbow grease to
make the deck shine, and finally the wondrous C Watch donned the cap of
chores.

We had a quick safety debrief, tucked away from the rain, and wrapped it up
with raspberry custard- Ashley you are the best! Once we all enjoyed this
morning treat, and the rain had passed, we split into three groups for ship
training. The groups rotated between adventuring aloft (so cool. see
picture!), practicing jib furling, and of course, MOST importantly,
connecting to the ship’s server, so we can record lots of scientific data.
We worked up quite the appetite and wandered into the salon to fill up our
plates (and bowls) with potato leek soup, salad, and yummy homemade
focaccia.

We had a bit of free time following lunch to explore Auckland! S312 could be
found doing all sorts of different things around the city. Art and maritime
museums were explored, coffee was had, and many enjoyed the couple hours of
sun amidst the rain. Leia, D’Elle, Jess, and us (Olivia, Emma, and Lila)
started our travels by going to the bookstore. We dropped Leia, D’Elle, and
Jess to a coffee shop and started a long trek to the thrift stores. To end
this journey back, we got a little taste of home by stopping at the local
self-serve frozen yogurt shop, our version of the thanksgiving feast for
today. I (Emma) got a fun poster of sea anemones for my bunk, Olivia got a
fantastic sweatshirt from the thrift store, and Lila almost got a flannel
but put it back on the rack because she has no extra space in her bunk
(#grit).

While we had the option of going off for dinner, all students decided
Ashley’s cooking was too good to pass up. We ate delicious Buddha bowls and
watched a large Disney cruise trip leave the harbor near us. (Do you really
need more than 140 feet and two masts? We love our humble abode, Bobby C.
but some of us do like Mickey Mouse). It is time to end this blog, as we are
all waking up at wee hours of the night (and morning) to watch over our new
home.

Xoxo,
Emma Mason (Colorado College)
Olivia Harris (Colorado College)
Lila Hensley (University of Vermont)

Shoutouts! We miss and love you Lucy and Anna Lynn – feel better soon! The
boat is not the same without you <3
Emma: Happy Thanksgiving Mason family – I am so thankful for you all and
miss you lots!
Olivia: Hi to Mom, Dad, Carly, and Brian! I miss you all so much and can’t
wait to tell you all about my adventures at sea! Give Cody and Winnie lots
of hugs and kisses for me!
Lila: Happy Turkey Day Hensley/Thomas fam! Hope it was a good one with not
too much whipped cream.