Southern Caribbean: Eastward to Trinidad
What a wind we woke up to this morning! It is blowing 30 knots out of the east, and we are headed into the wind and waves. We will not raise sails today; to reach Trinidad by Monday morning, we need to motor instead.
The water looks different somehow, and it is not just the 6 foot seas and white water. It is a different color. Until this point of the voyage we have seen intensely blue water, but this morning it is green; green means phytoplankton. I check the chart in the bridge. A couple of days ago, we were sailing in water nearly 3 miles deep (5000 m). Here it is only 330 feet (100 m) deep. Shallow water is more readily mixed, and where nutrients meet sunlight, phytoplankton grows.
In mid-morning, we gather on the Lido Deck to hear National Geographic’s Gil Grosvenor speak about the controversial expedition of Robert Peary to the North Pole. Sven Lindblad follows with a talk about the history of Lindblad Expeditions, future projects, and the relationship with National Geographic.
Our day at sea is a full one. After lunch, some of us meet Third Officer Todd Burgman for a hands-on session on basic knots and knot-tying. Later, we gather in the lounge as Captain Henrik Karlsson gives an introduction to the film, ‘The Last Windjammers.’ Our captain formerly ran the maritime museum on his home islands of Åland. The islands, situated between Finland and Sweden, were also home to Gustaf Erikson, a great Finnish shipping merchant who had an enormous fleet of cargo-carrying square-rigged sailing ships.
Afternoon tea includes a special treat: freshly made waffles by Jan, the ship’s baker. We notice a land mass to our south: Venezuela on the South American continent is now visible. Dinner tonight is a maritime dinner, and we are encouraged to wear something nautical for the occasion. Several ship officers join us for this special seafood meal.
We have almost forgotten – today is Superbowl Sunday! Just before bed, Tom gives us the final score: Colts over the Bears in torrential rain.
What a wind we woke up to this morning! It is blowing 30 knots out of the east, and we are headed into the wind and waves. We will not raise sails today; to reach Trinidad by Monday morning, we need to motor instead.
The water looks different somehow, and it is not just the 6 foot seas and white water. It is a different color. Until this point of the voyage we have seen intensely blue water, but this morning it is green; green means phytoplankton. I check the chart in the bridge. A couple of days ago, we were sailing in water nearly 3 miles deep (5000 m). Here it is only 330 feet (100 m) deep. Shallow water is more readily mixed, and where nutrients meet sunlight, phytoplankton grows.
In mid-morning, we gather on the Lido Deck to hear National Geographic’s Gil Grosvenor speak about the controversial expedition of Robert Peary to the North Pole. Sven Lindblad follows with a talk about the history of Lindblad Expeditions, future projects, and the relationship with National Geographic.
Our day at sea is a full one. After lunch, some of us meet Third Officer Todd Burgman for a hands-on session on basic knots and knot-tying. Later, we gather in the lounge as Captain Henrik Karlsson gives an introduction to the film, ‘The Last Windjammers.’ Our captain formerly ran the maritime museum on his home islands of Åland. The islands, situated between Finland and Sweden, were also home to Gustaf Erikson, a great Finnish shipping merchant who had an enormous fleet of cargo-carrying square-rigged sailing ships.
Afternoon tea includes a special treat: freshly made waffles by Jan, the ship’s baker. We notice a land mass to our south: Venezuela on the South American continent is now visible. Dinner tonight is a maritime dinner, and we are encouraged to wear something nautical for the occasion. Several ship officers join us for this special seafood meal.
We have almost forgotten – today is Superbowl Sunday! Just before bed, Tom gives us the final score: Colts over the Bears in torrential rain.
