Realising a dream is nothing short of magical and I am starting my new experience now. Two years ago, my sister and I completed BST STCW '10 courses in Dubai with the aim to sail for a few months in between studies and work. Whilst doing the course we had the pleasure of staying on the boat, Sydney. My sister, a few weeks after the course, was able to join a boat and sail around Spain and even popped in to Ibiza. She enjoyed three months of blue water and loved it. At that stage, my potential opportunity fell through (gotta love visa issues) and I put sailing aside for a while. Then, two weeks ago we get given the opportunity of a lifetime. The owner of the boat that we stayed on when in Dubai had left the UAE and was settled in Australia, without his boat. This meant that he wanted his boat in Australia and was offering for my sister and I to be crew on the boat for the delivery. This meant for the whole trip: from Dubai to Sydney. As Lolly is busy with her degree she is unable to join but because I am in between studies and can't get work on land, I am taking the opportunity and going to work at sea.
After I arrived in Dubai, I came straight to the Dubai Offshore Sailing Club (DOSC) and settled in to my new home. Being back at the boat brought back some great memories from the week spent at the boat before. I am the only one staying on the boat (until departure) and this has given me time to unpack and find my way around. There are many little compartments that require exploring as everything has it's place. Living on a boat teaches you to live minimalistically. You manage with the bare essentials and learn to conserve space. Whatever space you do have, you use it optimally to ensure that you aren't wasting. Space and 'big' items (such as excessive amounts of clothes) are luxuries. Organization is key to good boat living.
I have lots to learn but so far, everything is good. Doing the courses make a big difference as all the names and ways to do certain things comes back to you. On Tuesday, we are racing in the weekly race held at the club. This will give us an idea of how each of us works and thinks, but also getting a feel for the boat when it's performing at it's peak. For the sail to Sydney however, we won't be racing. We will make sure that we enjoy the time on the water and get the boat there safely. So to squeeze in a race is actually going to be fun. After the race, there is a social at the club and so this will be our 'farewell' although we aren't sure when exactly we are leaving yet. So far, our departure is set for Thursday. Everyone is invited to join us!
In terms of life on the boat, so far, I have been sleeping amazingly. The slight rock of the boat clearly does me well and even after only six hours, I feel refreshed and ready for the next day. Also, because the boat is not stocked with food, I find myself eating so well too. This suits me just fine as it's a chance to get healthy! I have made a friend in the form of a duck that waddles down the dock with me when I go to breakfast in the mornings. I have broken one pair of pants, four nails and had two blisters pop on my feet. This isn't so great but it is all worth it and nothing beats the feeling you get when, after a long day in the sun and organizing or cleaning the boat, you sit under the stars and listen to water move around you. You can hear gentle murmurs coming from people doing the same thing on their boats. One feels like it is a little village on water with everyone living peacefully and calmly. It has to be one of the most relaxing places to be.
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