Fall 2003 SEAmester East Journal
Sent weekly from sea by students on-board SEAmester ...
Final Journal Entry
Greetings from St. Thomas!! It is now the last day and we are faced with the difficult task of summing up this journey and the last few weeks in a solitary journal entry. We have had smooth sailing all the way down here consisting of short day sails from one paradise to the next. Here's our post game report.
We last left you while in Virgin Gorda bound for Tortola where we anchored off Road Town. The first day's activities included a quick walk around the town to the Botanical Gardens where we were engulfed by several different species of beautiful palm trees and tropical flowers. We spent the remainder of our free time ashore frolicking around surf shops, sampling local gelato parlors and 
surveying craft markets looking for gifts to wow everyone we miss back home concluded by an evening out with our shipmates. Our next adventure was a hike through the rain forest on Sage Mountain which led us to the highest point of the BVI's where we were rewarded with a view no picture or words could do justice. Our next passage lead us to Norman's Island where we scurried up a not so conventional trail escaping prickly bushes and vicious gnats to the top of Spy Glass Hill. At the top we snuggled ourselves into the rocks while Prof. Hamilton read a passage from Robert Louis Stevenson's epic adventure Treasure Island, from which the hill received it's name. As the passage was read our eyes were busy taking in all the picturesque view (that only a bird's could compete with) had to offer. While anchored we also had the opportunity to experience the marine life of the Caribbean waters at night thanks to a night time snorkel run on a reef while some of the more scholarly students (as in not at all) crammed for finals. The next morning after our last quizzie-pooh aboard the ship we set sail to Green Island (only about one acre with a few bushes and coconut palms) where we swam ashore, swung around on coconut trees, raced along the beach and splashed around in the water. The next morning we sailed down wind to Great Harbor in Jost Van Dyke to visit the infamous Foxy's for a very memorable evening out with shipmates and crew. The next day some of us struggled through morning wake ups followed by a quick sail over to U.S. customs in St. John. Tacking through the wind, pictures flashing, all sails set we left for our final (and rigorous) final sail to St. Thomas.
As we write this, flipping through our journals, our eyes flutter over the sea of words to make certain we fit in all the highlights. We can't help but think of all the different moods and emotions we've expressed upon these pages and yet many moments still go unmentioned. We've learned so much on this voyage about ourselves, the sea, and friendships that it makes this task so difficult to dictate to all of you. This 9 week adventure has been made so memorable thanks to an incredibly engaging crew, dedicated and one of a kind professors and a captain who is by far the leader of the pack. All the friends we have made will go on to be unforgotten and irreplaceable. As to the effect the sea has had on us, the best words we found to describe it are not our own, but seem to do it the most justice. They are from a surfing magazine we received from our Quicksilver neighbors in Tortola. Scooter Leonard writes "Out on the ocean a person is different. There is incredible freedom, yet utter dependence." "A journey across the big blue is never just physical; it is always accompanied by interior exploration, and emotional navigation that is perhaps unseen but surely felt."
With that said our journey is at a close and it is certainly bitter sweet. Thanks for an unforgettable time. And to all those waiting at home for us we will see you soon !!
-By Dana Frawley and Missy Taylor
Log entry 6
We soon arrived at La Isabella, Christopher Columbus' second try at a Spanish permanent settlement on Hispaniola. There was nothing there but ruins and a real SKELETON!! After a short tour and a history lesson we were let loose in Luperon until dinner time. At 1800 we all met at Lucas restaurant for a group night of food and fun. After dinner a majority of the students and crew explored the nightlife Luperon had to offer. We all got meringue lessons and danced the night away. Early Sunday morning, many students attended a local church service. It was a unique experience to observe mass in another language. Around 11:00 that morning, we said Adios to the Republica Dominicana and British Virgin Islands here we come! 
Due to light headwinds the sail to the BVI's was a fairly uneventful four days, except for many celestial observations and some exciting fishing. Our on-board fisherman Will with the help of others caught tuna, mahi-mahi, and a HUGE wahoo. Needless to say, we didn't go hungry! It was a beautiful sight coming into Virgin Gorda with the horizon scattered with small sailboats and a mountainous backdrop. Once we were safely anchored, we enjoyed a much needed swim call! The next day was Thanksgiving and our trip to the famous "Baths". We were dropped off on a breathtaking beach surrounded by enormous granite boulders. We had to find our way through the maze of boulders to reach another gorgeous beach. We spent a few hours basking in the warm sunlight and frolicking in the crystal clear turquoise waters, and then it was science field trip time to research the tropical rocky intertidal. We encountered numerous species of gastropods, crabs, and other interesting organisms. We also had the opportunity to snorkel along the rocks. Then it was back to the boat to prepare for Thanksgiving dinner! We all dressed in our "formal tropical" attire (a.k.a sarongs all around, even the guys!) Once 1600 rolled around we all lined up and stuffed ourselves with delectable turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, casseroles, pumpkin pie and more. It was strange to be eating Thanksgiving dinner while surrounded by sea turtles and palm trees, but none of us were complaining! Tomorrow we will be departing Virgin Gorda headed for the island of Tortola for more adventures. So, this is where we avast, stand-by for our final entry!
-Sarah Goldman and Kelley Stephens
Entries 1 and 2
Entries 3,4 and 5
Prof. Hamilton's Journal Archive
Spring 2003
Fall 2002
Spring 2002
Fall 2001
Spring 2001
Fall 2000
SEAmester Page
|