Diary 1 April 2006

An Australian on the Good Ship Götheborg. It is day six and only now am I able to sit and take a breath and think about what has been an extrodinary week at the begining of an extraordinary adventure.

I heard about the Götheborg for the very first time only four weeks ago. I sail on the West Australian sail training Barquentine "Leeuwin" as voluntary crew. It was through 'Leeuwin' that this opportunity to sail on the Götheborg came about.  Without really knowing what I was letting myself in for I eagerly put my hand up for one of the Australian trainee positions.

My first impression when seeing the Götheborg dockside in Port Elizabeth after 24 hours of travel from Sydney, Australia was of a beautiful and complex ship. Two weeks on and I am beginning to understand how much passion and effort has gone into making this whole Götheborg mission possible.  It is a joy in particular to talk to the crew on board who have been involved in the building of the ship and to see their delight in all their years of hard work come to fruition.

The atmosphere on board amongst the Swedish trainees is high excitement and gratitude, it is a real privilege for everyone to be here, especially us four Australian ring in's! As we set sail out of Port Elizabeth Captain Peter gathered us all together and said that the engines had been turned off and won't be turned on again till we reach Fremantle.  I cheered at that, and so the adventure began!

It has been an intense two weeks for me, I'm on a very steep learning curve. Learning not only the routines and rigg of the ship but all of it in Swedish! Night watch has been the most challenging time so far, I feel a bit like a deaf and blind person - don't understand more than a word or two that is spoken and can't see anything but silloueted sails and the milky way! Well, my night vision and my Swedish are both improving fast.  The only problem I have at the moment is that my eyes are red from staring at the wind for hours and my face hurts from smiling too much!

Fantastisk!!!!!

Rachel Klyve