Life aboard the M.V. Explorer

It’s great being back on the ocean surrounded completely by water.  It is a little freaky to think about how far we are from any land.  As of noon today the closest land to us is Niihau Island, which is 795 nautical miles to the south west.  The sea depth is an astonishing 17,595 feet.  We will arrive in Yokohama, Japan in one week and I’m very excited to see a different part of Japan.  There are a lot of ideas being thrown around about what we will be doing once we get there but one thing we are surely doing is going to a sumo match. 

In the meantime, we are going about everyday life aboard the ship.   My typical day starts around 0730 with a morning workout.  That is followed by breakfast, usually the best meal of the day, and then some free time until our daily Student Life meeting from 1230 to 1400.  Sometimes I eat lunch before the meeting so I can enjoy the warm sea air out on the 6^th deck dining area.   It’s such a great experience but sadly it’s going to be coming to an end for a while as we hit colder weather in Japan and China.

After our meeting I usually have a list of things to follow up on, checking on students and getting out information about upcoming events.  I try and find time to write in my journal and blog in the afternoon too.  Usually my day picks up after dinner.  Our team usually puts on events in the evening from 2100 to 2300.  Tonight is Trivia Night.  When we don’t have a program we have to work the student beverage service on deck 7.  Basically we just make sure the students are being safe and keeping backpacks out of the area so they don’t smuggle beer back to their cabin.  On the days I’m not on duty I try and relax as much as possible and get ready for another busy day to follow.

Sometimes Kelly and I get to stop in to the Staff/Faculty lounge for a drink and to socialize with our colleagues and some of the Unreasonable at Sea people.  Last night we had karaoke, which is always fun.  Kelly did a great job singing “Shooting Star” by Bad Company.  I rocked out and sang “Werewolves of London” and “YMCA.”  It was a fun bonding experience for our little professional community.  And a great warm-up for the karaoke bars in Japan.