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The following blog
is a letter that I wrote the evening we took the ship through the Straight of
Gibraltar for the last time. It was also the day that we crossed over the same course
we made at the beginning of the year. I tossed this letter, addressed to the
sea, overboard into the ocean.
To the Sea:
Today we finished a full circle of the Atlantic , so I felt it was a good time to write you this
letter of farewell. You have carried me, my crew and the Sorlandet far and
wide. We sailed down the coast of Europe, through the Straight of Gibraltar,
across the Equator, into the Doldrums, up the Amazon River, through the
Caribbean, across the Bermuda Triangle and back across the North
Atlantic . You kept us safe. Your fronts and storms challenged us
and your high waves washed over our decks and the water leaked onto my bunk.
Even so, I fell in love with you. That salty sea spray is the smell of
adventure that I will sorely miss. For the rest of my life, I will always want
to live by the sea ... I am forever yours. In the beginning, you teased me with
rolling waves and sickening motions. I wanted to die and throw up and never
leave land again. But I got over it. I learned your rhythms and flowed with
your melodies. I hardly notice your rocking now. The creatures of your many
seas appeared to greet us. We welcomed dolphins, whales, sea turtles and
killer-jellyfish. We caught and ate Marlin and Mahi Mahi from your waters. So,
thank you. Thank you for everything. For keeping us safe, but also giving us
excitement. I hope to return one day. I have a place in my heart or soul or
blood for you. Fair winds. Farewell. So long.
Love,
Lion Fish, Nadia DaleSorlandet Crew 2011-2012
