Arriving in the Gambiers!

MFT: Schooner Olympics

LFP: Too many squalls

Hallo, so yesterday we finally arrived in Mangareva, a psuedo-atoll, in the Gambier Islands. It took us quite a while because of squalls. So we were supposed to start the entrance into the channel around 9 am but due to squalls we didn’t actually start until 11:30 am. I was on the CHIRP to get some interesting data and make sure we could check the bottom depth while entering the port. It’s a really narrow channel so all the crew and captain were rather tense.

The best part was once we finally arrived  the sun slowly started to come out (first time in a couple of days). Then we had Schooner Olympics. Mickey, one of the Engineers, organized a couple of different events for us to compete in. We were split into three teams including various staff members. Mickey had us sign up for events that were named inventive things like archery and water polo. However the actual events were very different from the named events. This meant that archery for example meant throwing a heaving line (a line with a heavy weight at the end) through a life ring that was suspended in air over the water. Waterpolo (which I participated in) consisted of putting on the immersion suit in the water. I almost won that event but was troubled by the hood! Basically I got into the suit really quickly but then couldn’t get the dang hood up because I’m about 4 sizes too small for the suit (especially the gloves). I finally just took my hand out of the arm/glove and put the hood on, sadly by that point I was no longer first. Oh well, it was a lot of fun and we ended with a group event “gymnastics”. This meant we made a giant human knot — everyone has to circle up and then grab hands with someone else in the circle, someone who is not next to you. Then you have to untie the knot without letting go of anyone’s hands. It was fun but very difficult! We ended up getting a tie for second place and then had a swim call afterwards!

The swim call was fun because I got to jump off the bowsprit (like 25 ft in the air). I made sure to go first so I could appreciate the view! I got a lot of water up my nose and ears (not so fun). But it was fun nevertheless (I jumped off the rail too, not as high so less water up my ears). Actually the rest of the even (and even into this morning!) I had water coming out of my nose. Like if I crouched down and tilted my head, as soon as I would stand up water would pour out of my nose (very embarrassing but I imagine it is just like using a nutty pot).

Then in the evening we had a movie night! I’ve been suggesting this for ages and it was a ton of fun! We made popcorn (yummy) and then sat on deck watching “Round Cape Horn” by Irving Johnson. It was a strange documentary made from video footage of a tall sailing cargo ship sailing round Cape Horn to Peru in the 1930s. Very hilarious movie — and totally insane. The guy who shot it was crazy — as in would do totally death defying stunts. I can’t believe that people did that and survived! Anyways — I would recommend to anyone who has sailed before because it is fascinating lifestyle that is described. It was a pretty wonderful afternoon and evening even if we never got ashore.