After leaving Japan, we had a long trek across the Pacific over to Hawaii. Let me put this ocean crossing in perspective. During the entire month of November, we only had six days of classes total. That's three class sessions per course! We had ten straight days of class on the way to Hawaii, and I basically did an entire semesters worth of work in that time. However, by the end of those ten days, it was relieving to have all the work behind me. It's not every semester that you get a Hawaiian vacation in-between the end of classes and finals.
Our first port of call was Honolulu. I spent all day laying on Waikiki Beach before checking into the Hyatt for the night. A friend of mine works at the Hyatt at home, so he got us an employee discount on the room. We partied all night and spent the next day at the beach as well. I got back on the Explorer, went to sleep, and woke up on the Big Island in Hilo. A group of us rented a jeep and drove the northern route to Kona, on the opposite side of the island. We enjoyed a great plate lunch on the way. We took the top off the jeep and let the wind rush through out hair as we drove along the coastal highway. The night in Kona was spent eating and partying in our hotel room and out on the town. I was sure to make the most of the night, seeing as it was our last night out together in a port on Semester at Sea. The next morning, we woke up early and drove the long southern route back to Hilo. We stopped along the way to visit black sand beaches and Volcanoes National Park. Before I could say aloha, I was back on the Explorer watching the Islands fade away. As I was walking up the gangway, I realized that I was doing so for the last time. The next time that I find myself on those steps, I will be walking away from my floating home for good. I have literally been around the world, but Hawaii is still my favorite place. I cannot think of a better way to end this amazing voyage.
Tomorrow is my last full day aboard the MV Explorer. I have taken my finals and the grades are slowly trickling in. Yesterday we had the Alumni Ball, where we got to dress up, have a fancy dinner, and dance up on Deck 7. I spent the whole day today packing and taking advantage of what little time I have left with my friends. It is impossible to fathom that I will be stepping back onto mainland America in less than 2 days. My next few hours will be spent exchanging pictures, stories, and tearful goodbyes. A group of people cannot go through such a mind boggling experience like we have and not form strong, everlasting bonds with each other. The sad reality is, our friends and family at home will never be able to understand what we just went through. The experience is so moving that it simply cannot be described through words. Right now, we can all look at each other and understand. But in a matter of days, we all disperse throughout the country. People will ask what our voyage was like and they will expect short and simple answers, but nothing we say will give this journey the credit it deserves. We are all returning home as different people. I ask everyone reading this right now to work with me as I make this difficult transition back to "regular" life. For my shipmates who may read this blog in the weeks and months to come, I want to thank you for being an integral part of my journey around the world. I am certain that 50 years from now, I will look back on the past four months as the greatest time of my life. Fate brought us to this ship for a reason and I am sure we will cross paths again in the future.
To all of my friends and family back home, I can't wait to see you--thanks for listening to my ramblings all of these months. It is going to be an awesome Christmas this year. Also, I hope everyone is ready for a crazy next semester--watch out Boulder. I have spent the last few years working towards the absurd task of graduating from college, and in a few short months that is actually going to happen. After that, it's anybody guess. As this journey ends, an even bigger one is about to begin.
"Once you have traveled, the voyage never ends, but is played out over and over again in the quietest chambers. The mind can never break off from the Journey." -- Pat Conroy
Once I am home, I will finally be able to post pictures and videos, so stay tuned and I will see you all very soon...
Our first port of call was Honolulu. I spent all day laying on Waikiki Beach before checking into the Hyatt for the night. A friend of mine works at the Hyatt at home, so he got us an employee discount on the room. We partied all night and spent the next day at the beach as well. I got back on the Explorer, went to sleep, and woke up on the Big Island in Hilo. A group of us rented a jeep and drove the northern route to Kona, on the opposite side of the island. We enjoyed a great plate lunch on the way. We took the top off the jeep and let the wind rush through out hair as we drove along the coastal highway. The night in Kona was spent eating and partying in our hotel room and out on the town. I was sure to make the most of the night, seeing as it was our last night out together in a port on Semester at Sea. The next morning, we woke up early and drove the long southern route back to Hilo. We stopped along the way to visit black sand beaches and Volcanoes National Park. Before I could say aloha, I was back on the Explorer watching the Islands fade away. As I was walking up the gangway, I realized that I was doing so for the last time. The next time that I find myself on those steps, I will be walking away from my floating home for good. I have literally been around the world, but Hawaii is still my favorite place. I cannot think of a better way to end this amazing voyage.
Tomorrow is my last full day aboard the MV Explorer. I have taken my finals and the grades are slowly trickling in. Yesterday we had the Alumni Ball, where we got to dress up, have a fancy dinner, and dance up on Deck 7. I spent the whole day today packing and taking advantage of what little time I have left with my friends. It is impossible to fathom that I will be stepping back onto mainland America in less than 2 days. My next few hours will be spent exchanging pictures, stories, and tearful goodbyes. A group of people cannot go through such a mind boggling experience like we have and not form strong, everlasting bonds with each other. The sad reality is, our friends and family at home will never be able to understand what we just went through. The experience is so moving that it simply cannot be described through words. Right now, we can all look at each other and understand. But in a matter of days, we all disperse throughout the country. People will ask what our voyage was like and they will expect short and simple answers, but nothing we say will give this journey the credit it deserves. We are all returning home as different people. I ask everyone reading this right now to work with me as I make this difficult transition back to "regular" life. For my shipmates who may read this blog in the weeks and months to come, I want to thank you for being an integral part of my journey around the world. I am certain that 50 years from now, I will look back on the past four months as the greatest time of my life. Fate brought us to this ship for a reason and I am sure we will cross paths again in the future.
To all of my friends and family back home, I can't wait to see you--thanks for listening to my ramblings all of these months. It is going to be an awesome Christmas this year. Also, I hope everyone is ready for a crazy next semester--watch out Boulder. I have spent the last few years working towards the absurd task of graduating from college, and in a few short months that is actually going to happen. After that, it's anybody guess. As this journey ends, an even bigger one is about to begin.
"Once you have traveled, the voyage never ends, but is played out over and over again in the quietest chambers. The mind can never break off from the Journey." -- Pat Conroy
Once I am home, I will finally be able to post pictures and videos, so stay tuned and I will see you all very soon...
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