At Sea
Days at sea are different for every person on board. Some relax all day, experiencing the gentle waves. It is warm and sunny and the pool is open. Camera workshops draw the photographers. Various lectures educate us about the ocean, the islands, and the trade that takes place here. Others sit in the library, reading as the waves pass by. For me, a day at sea is a day spent on the bridge. It is a constant search. A time for seeing what is out here, and what is going by.
All day was spent traveling south towards Cape Verde. No land was in sight for the entire day and it was deep. Very deep. The shallowest depth of the day was probably about 3,800 meters, or 12,500 feet. Deep blue, nutrient poor water means scarce critters. But, the attentive observer is rewarded with many sightings throughout the day.
As the ship slowly heads through the water, we continuously kick up flying fish. They are frightened by us, extending their pectoral fins to glide out of danger. A few dolphins take a break from feeding on these fish to quickly go for a surf. We push a wave of water ahead of us, and they play on it. Various pieces of flotsam drift by, most commonly old fishing floats and plastic bottles. And of course, there are birds. Storm-petrels and shearwaters are scattered but present. A few jaegers pass by, interested in attacking the other seabirds and forcing a meal from them. During breakfast, a small warbler stops by for a visit. A long way from anywhere, it is probably heading south on migration. To and from where? It is hard to say. Sort of like us, passing along to the south.
Days at sea are different for every person on board. Some relax all day, experiencing the gentle waves. It is warm and sunny and the pool is open. Camera workshops draw the photographers. Various lectures educate us about the ocean, the islands, and the trade that takes place here. Others sit in the library, reading as the waves pass by. For me, a day at sea is a day spent on the bridge. It is a constant search. A time for seeing what is out here, and what is going by.
All day was spent traveling south towards Cape Verde. No land was in sight for the entire day and it was deep. Very deep. The shallowest depth of the day was probably about 3,800 meters, or 12,500 feet. Deep blue, nutrient poor water means scarce critters. But, the attentive observer is rewarded with many sightings throughout the day.
As the ship slowly heads through the water, we continuously kick up flying fish. They are frightened by us, extending their pectoral fins to glide out of danger. A few dolphins take a break from feeding on these fish to quickly go for a surf. We push a wave of water ahead of us, and they play on it. Various pieces of flotsam drift by, most commonly old fishing floats and plastic bottles. And of course, there are birds. Storm-petrels and shearwaters are scattered but present. A few jaegers pass by, interested in attacking the other seabirds and forcing a meal from them. During breakfast, a small warbler stops by for a visit. A long way from anywhere, it is probably heading south on migration. To and from where? It is hard to say. Sort of like us, passing along to the south.
