Our final leg of the journey is upon us! We departed Wellington over the weekend for our final stop in Christchurch. The Junior Watch Officer phase, or JWO for short, has officially begun, much to my dismay.

Today was a sobering entry in an already unique time at sea and ashore. Our day began earlier than usual, with an 0600 wakeup precluding the usual breakfast and set of chores. By 0800 we were off to the famed Wellington cable car, which Eric pointed out was technically a funicular.

Picture this: It’s 0800 and you’re eating breakfast on the quarterdeck. You’re wearing the cleanest items of clothing which after 4.5 weeks on a boat equates a smell test. You’re having a conversation with your shipmates about what you’re the most excited to do today with your research time on shore.

Today was our first day ashore getting to explore windy Welly.  Today also marked the first shore day where we were given 2200 as the time to return to the ship.  In previous ports everyone was given a call back time of around 1800 for dinner and watch cycles, so the extra four hours allowed for a very full day of adventuring.

After several days at sea the sight of land was bittersweet; however, something long anticipated awaited us after anchoring right outside Wellington and before we were to step foot on land.

Today is my 21st birthday. It’s not exactly the way I envisioned it, but I’m not complaining. Open ocean, the salt breeze, and amazing friends. What else could I possibly need? I spent yesterday as Assistant Steward in the galley. I am a terrible cook, but thankfully, I didn’t burn anything! I made chocolate chip cookies for midnight snack and lasagna for dinner.

“Glowing dolphins!” was how I started my day. A little after 0000 I woke up to Fin murmuring to those awake that dolphins were lit up by bioluminescence in the water off the starboard bow. For this rare opportunity I slid out of bed 30 minutes early, pattered up on deck, and draped myself over the rail where I hung staring at the water, dazzled in amazement.

Today was the last full day of our impromptu stop in Napier. A few days ago, we looked forward to today being the end of our longest segment at sea, as the original plan had us arriving in Wellington today. Instead, we have spent the last three days enjoying Napier, a mid-size beach town in Hawke’s Bay.

We woke up bright and early to two new views: a sea lion, and the Ovation of the Seas! Here we were, dwarfed in comparison to this massive cruise ship. It was quite the sight in this industrial logging port.

Today, B-watch took the deck at 1300 after most of us slept in until lunchtime due to our long evening watch the previous night. Morale was a bit low, as the rough seas we have been facing have taken a toll on both our bodies and our original plan for out course track. Our morning was spent preparing for the notorious pin rail race that would be happening during class time at 1430.