Yth 1808 Tahi ra

Today we started youth voyage 1808 with an amazing start. The trainees were welcomed onto the ship and were shortly up on land playing games to get comfortable around each other. Once goodbyes were said, we left the dock and the trainees had a go at setting their first sail. We were straight into the name game before the trainees finally had the chance to get settled and un-pack into their allocated space and bunks. Up on deck as we headed out past islands the trainees completed a lesson on climbing aloft, and then we finally came to anchor in Paradise bay on Urupukapuka Island. We enjoyed an amazing lunch of macaroni and cheese, completed the dishes and launched the tender.

We headed towards the beach and completed the Paradise Bay loop track The sun really helped with a glass like ocean  revealing well to the north the Cavalli group of  islands. Ivan really enjoyed taking in the scenery, three tieke (saddleback) put on a show for us amongst the kanuka canopy. A few tested their balance skills while running the track, covered in debris from recent weather was slippery under foot. Once we were gathered back on the beach with a high tide preventing any sports, we headed back to the ship where the trainees went for their first swim of the trip. Bridgette, Bailey, Santana, Daemon, Hannah, Gemma, Ngataiawa, Mazaine, Luke, Sihrene and Kate all enjoyed the rope swing or doing fat manu competitions off the boat. Snatching the last of the sun. Once dry the trainees completed a well needed orientation of the ship while we wait for dinner. The usual suspects arrive, last card and mafia, must be time for some class work.

Ma te wa