Trellis Bay, BVI, Home of the Gli-Gli

Most outsiders might not believe that the 32 of us just started our voyage a week ago. We are already familiar with each other’s sleeping and eating habits, to say the least. Students are literally “learning the ropes”. Classes have begun and people are acclimating to shipboard life. Our days are occupied with the study of our ship, the ocean, the surrounding maritime history and literature. We left the US Virgin Islands on January 29^th and made our way to the British Virgin Islands (BVI) perfecting our tacks, familiarizing ourselves with the safety protocols and priming our ship for harbor visits.

Our BVI explorations began at Peter Island where we did an early morning snorkel to get an underwater view of the nearby reef. The same day we found ourselves on the streets of Road Town, Tortola and gorged ourselves on delicious West Indian food at the infamous Roti Palace. The ladies even let us prepare some of our own roti. We concluded our day by walking the back roads of the bustling capital to their tropical botanical garden. In this botanical paradise we found orchids, calabash trees, banyan trees among others and participated in the first port report of our voyage.

We have been safely anchored at Trellis Bay for the past two nights. The folks in Trellis Bay welcomed us ashore and have been sharing their knowledge, expertise and experiences of living and ancient Carib (Amerindian) cultures. Students repainted the bottom of the traditionally built dug-out canoe, “Gli Gli”, an instrumental vessel for reestablishing connections between Carib island people. The “Gli Gli” Project is a symbol of Carib unity, and we were lucky enough to spend all day with a co-founder of the project and one of the Carib sailors.

After painting “Gli Gli” we visited the Good Moon organic farm outside of town. Here the students helped harvest cassava and prepare the soil for future crops while overlooking breathtaking views of turquoise Caribbean waters.

We are holding classes ashore today while we have an even keel. Tomorrow we hope to be underway once again.

For more information about the “Gli Gli” Project check this link: http://www.aragornsstudio.com/CaribCanoeProj.htm

-CHRISTINE HONAN SIMPSON, ABBEY LITMAN & MAHIMA JAINI

Educators, Harvey Gamage.

February 2, 2012, Trellis Bay, Tortola, BVI.

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Discovery 2012 is now Under Way

The voyage officially began at 0001, 28 January with Schooner Harvey Gamage gamely beating to windward between St Thomas and St Criox. Of course the trip had actually begun some time before with months of student interviews and sign ups to the last busy crew preparations on board. By the afternoon of the 26^th, all 21 students had signed aboard and been introduced to their new home with her 8 crew/3 academic educators. The morning of the 27^th was filled with safety/watch standing indoctrination then it was “Hands to the windlass,” and “Anchor’s aweigh.” Gamage lifted her skirts to sail serenely off the anchorage bound for sea and Phase II of student orientation.

Phase II ended with a dawn arrival in Reef Bay, St John and with students feeling a good deal saltier. Soon they with educators were ashore to hike up and over the island visiting sugar cane mill ruins along the way to rejoin Gamage, sailed by her crew in the meantime around to Francis Bay. Now, as the first anchor watches are stood under a star filled sky and a gentle breeze, students are realizing the sort of experience they’ve signed for. Some are exhilarated. Some wonder what they’ve gotten themselves into. Some are concerned about how long it will take to gain their sea legs. Most are eager. All now realize that the 4 months ahead promise challenges and possibilities beyond expectations. The concept of Ship/Shipmate/Self has become particularly relevant. A sense of ship board community has begun.

Captain JB Smith,

28 January 2012, Francis Bay, St John, USVI

A Watch: Matthew, Mahima, John, Elizabeth, Audrey, Mr. Bailey, Brendan, Lisa, Peter K., and Patricia

B WATCH: Libby, Meg, Tegan, Andrew, Jackson, Mr.Simpson, Zack, Doug, Chris, and Abbey

C WATCH: Frank, Chapin, Angela, Katie, Ms. Hughs, Peter W., Soren, Christine, Iyla, Claire

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Where are they now?

Follow the SSV Harvey Gamage on iBoat Track

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Harvey Gamage in St. Thomas, USVI

The Harvey Gamage is safely anchored near Hassell Island, St. Thomas. The crew and educators aboard are working on the final trip preparations for the Spring 2012 voyage. Everyone on board is looking forward to the arrival of the students on January 26th.

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