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Follow Our Journey! Alpha & Tango – Day 8

By Vada H July 1, 2024

Written by Izy L., a Mate on Maora

Greetings from the vibrant waters of the BVI! Today was another exciting day for our crew, beginning with a picturesque sunrise over the calm sea. Here’s a recap of our jam-packed schedule:

We started our morning with the crew waking up to the beautiful view of the bay. Everyone pitched in to prepare a breakfast of bagels. After eating, the crew worked together to clean up and prepare the boat for the day’s journey.

With everything in order, we set sail towards Long Bay. During the sail, the crew practiced anchoring techniques under the guidance of Captain Reed. The weather was perfect, with clear skies and a gentle breeze. We anchored at our destination and had a delightful lunch on the boat. Charlotte made some delicious guacamole! 

Upon anchoring at Topaz, the crew could choose from various activities, making the afternoon even more exciting. Each student got an opportunity to get dinghy certified so that they could drive the dinghy with a staff member!

Crew members got their laundry done, then did some swimming and snorkeling around their boats! Then, a group went on a diving expedition, exploring the vibrant underwater world. They encountered colorful coral reefs and a variety of marine life, making it an unforgettable experience. Another group went with captains Harrison and Kate to waterski and kneeboard. The campers who chose this activity had a blast riding the waves and showing off their skills.

Kelly conducted an engaging marine biology lesson, where participants learned about the local ecosystem, marine conservation, and the diverse species inhabiting the BVI waters. This session sparked a lot of interest and curiosity among the students.

Betty’s Dream’s boat set up a station for making friendship bracelets. It was a creative and relaxing activity, allowing everyone to craft keepsakes to remember their trip by.

After all the excitement, everyone freshened up with showers and got ready for dinner. The students played card games and chatted about their afternoon adventures, building even stronger bonds.

Post-dinner, we held a boat meeting to discuss the day’s events and plan for tomorrow. The students shared their highlights and gave feedback on the activities, helping us continuously improve our experience.

We ended the day with a peaceful night on the boat. Some students stargazed on deck, while others chatted quietly, looking forward to the adventures that awaited.

The greatest challenge during the program was staying entertained during the quarantine period. Not being able to leave your boat and not having a phone, which was a crutch against boredom, it was difficult at first to stay entertained.