Wrapping things up in Melbourne

It’s nearly midnight on Wednesday, and I am sitting on deck of the Robert Hunter on security watch. I am wrapped up in a blanket and am so glad to have my Sea Shepherd crew issue beanie to keep my head warm as winter is moving into the Docklands here in Melbourne and with it comes the wind. Tristan called me not too long ago to wish me bon voyage and say his last goodbye to me before I set sail. Unfortunately our departure date has been delayed and I’ll probably say goodbye to Tristan at least once more, but I reckon it could be more. I’ve already said goodbye to Thea twice as I thought I would have left a week or so ago originally. This last Saturday Beth organized a bit of a going away party for me which was so sweet. I’ve never had someone else plan a party for me ( at least not since I was 6) and it was so great to have my friends from different places all get together and go out. We had a few drinks and topped the night off with a few hours of dancing followed by a long walk home…soo much fun!

So I’m just on the tail end of another 16 hour day; between security watches and helping to install the electronics on the Farley, I’ve had at least one super long day every week for the past few weeks. The long hours would bother some people I suppose, especially since there is no fantastic financial compensation (just food and accommodation), but I am so glad to be here working on the ship. Even after working for hours today measuring voltages of different cables, picking apart the electronics of the autopilot, just to find out we had to start all over again, I remembered that the work I am doing is important and it does make a difference.

The whole crew is getting restless. Everyone is ready to get out to sea and start the campaign. Pedro and I mapped out the voyage today, and it looks like it will take about 60 days to get to where we’re going…past the direct opposite side of the globe. Those 60 days aren’t taking into account any time staying in port along the way. And I haven’t even spent a single night at sea yet, and now I’m going out for months. Ha Ha, never a dull moment for me.

I still can’t believe all of the amazing things I’ve done during the past 2 years. When I talked to Nathan the other day, I told him I was setting off to see the world, and he said, “Isn’t that what you’ve been doing the past 2 years?” and I he is right, I have been traveling and exploring during the past 2 years, but who says I have a limit to how much time I can have exploring before I have to return to a certain place. Who knows, maybe there is a limit and I haven’t found it yet, or maybe I’m just ignoring that limit, but I don’t think so. I think I am just starting off and I have a lot that I want to do. Places I want to see, people I want to meet, foods I want to taste and emotional roller coasters to ride.

My watch is nearly over and I’m looking forward to retreating to my cabin for the evening. Pedro says sleep loss is cumulative and I’m not doing a very good job catching up on what I missed out on Saturday night. Melbourne seems to have fallen asleep with just a few taxis cruising by the ship and a few drunks stumbling along the footpaths on their ways to who knows where. Life has become a bit surreal; the reality of my present situation is still sinking in. I still feel giddy with excitement when thinking about the Sea Shepherd and our upcoming campaign. It’s good to be alive and doing what I love.