Sailing aboard the Pelican Of London for six days was an experience that will stay with me for a lifetime. The ship itself is a magnificent vessel, a three-masted barquentine with a rich history, and being a part of its crew, even for a short while, was an honour. Learning to hoist sails, and stand watch during the quiet hours of the night, and being able to helm the ship was an experience.
One of the most thrilling and memorable days of the voyage was the day I got to climb the mast and help put down the sails. The ascent was both thrilling and a little intimidating, with the ship’s movements becoming more pronounced the higher I went. But the view from the top was worth every moment of nervousness. I could see the entire ship laid out below me, a beautiful and complex machine of wood, rope, and canvas, with the vast, endless ocean stretching out to the horizon in every direction.
Without a doubt, another one of the best parts of the voyage was the people I met. We learned to trust and rely on each other, whether it was working together to hoist a heavy sail or simply sharing stories and playing games with each other when we had a break. I forged genuine, lasting friendships with people I would have never met otherwise. And those memories and bonds are something I will cherish long after the ship has returned to port.
Leaving the ship felt like saying goodbye to a home I had only just found. The voyage was more than just a trip; it was a journey of self discovery, pushing my limits and teaching me the value of teamwork and resilience. The memories of those six days on the Pelican Of London are a treasured chapter in my life, a reminder that the greatest adventures are often the ones that take us out of our comfort zones and pushes us to exceed something new.
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