Diary 2 April 2006

Hi my name is Kimberley. I am one of the Australians who recently boarded the ship Götheborg in Port Elizabeth.  

After being on the ship just over a week it seems a good time to reflect on my experiences so far. I had very little time to prepare myself for this voyage only about a day and a half actually.  Well this didn't give me much time to know what I was getting myself into.  I guess that I have found learning Swedish my greatest challenge as I don't seem to be able to learn it fast enough, but we still have several weeks to go.  

Being onboard and involved in this voyage is an absolutely amazing chance of a life time and I am grateful for every second that I can be aboard her.  My favourite time is when I can be on lookout, sitting at the bow of the ship being able to watch the albatross circling around the ship, it gives me a chance to reflect on what it could have been like sailing in the 1700's.

Regards Kimberley

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Diary 2 april 2006

I woke up this morning as usual at 7am ready to go on watch at 8am.  And as usual I went up on deck before breakfast to greet the day, and Oh! what a day!

Overnight the wind and swell had picked up.  30 knots of wind average and 5-6 meter swell!  YEEHAAAAAA!!!!!The sun was shining bright off the tops of the waves and the Good Ship Götheborg was surfing the swell smooth and sure.  

It had rained hard overnight and the sea was washed clean, the colours clear crisp deep blues. Everybody was buzzing with the electric energy of the wind in the sails and the surge of the ship through the water.  This is what we all came for, this is exhilirating sailing!

Rachel Klyve