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28 June 2006

My first days at sea are truly something!

by Slade, onboard the Esperanza

RED SEA
©Greenpeace/Richard Vallantin
We departed Hurghada and headed south down the Red Sea. Sun shining and not a cloud in the sky. As dusk came upon us, the sun tipped over the horizon and left us with a beautiful glowing pink sky. As it became darker and darker, the sky’s shone brightly with every star, millions of them. I sat on the Stern (the back of the ship) and watched the ocean being left behind as we sailed into the pitch black darkness of this sea.

A cool breeze was blowing, which was very much welcomed by all onboard after a hot day of chipping and painting. The only sounds that could be heard, was the faint humming of the engines, and the wake… the spindrift, that the ship was creating as it skims through the water. Standing on the bow, all that can be seen is darkness, 360 degrees of pure darkness and not another ship or land in sight. I can see how this lifestyle can become very addictive. I’d have to say that there is very little that beats this. I know Alex loved it, and found it difficult to leave us. I can now see why! You couldn’t give me all the money in the world in exchange for this.

Defending Our Oceans? Trust me; from experiencing this, you will see why it’s all worth it!

   

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Comments

Well done Slade, love your comments so far, realy get the feel I am there. Keep on with the good work.
Regards Peter

Posted by: peter at June 30, 2006 12:24 AM

Thanks Peter, I'm glad you are enjoying them :)

Posted by: by Slade, onboard the Esperanza at June 30, 2006 7:12 AM

Hi Slade,

Terminological correction:

Spindrift:

Windblown sea spray. Also called spoondrift.

[Variant of Scots spenedrift : spene (variant of obsolete spoon, to run before the wind) + DRIFT.]

Wake:

The visible track of turbulence left by something moving through water: the wake of a ship.


So not synonymous as implied in your blog.

Sorry to be a pedant and a bore. Really I'm just jealous of you sitting out there on the deck as the miles slip by under the keel!

All the best,

Posted by: paulo at June 30, 2006 4:30 PM

Hi Paulo,
Yes you are correct. I think I just neglected to put the word "and" somewhere in between the two terms there. Thanks for the posting. No need to be jealous though, just look at our Onboard Webcam with your fan blowing on your face. Not the same I know, but gives you the feel of being here!

Thanks Again!

Cheers,
Slade

Posted by: by Slade, onboard the Esperanza at June 30, 2006 5:14 PM

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