Just another day in Paradise

My Science-Cruise crew on deck of RV Meteor

Just another day in Paradise. No, really. After writing this blog, I am going to head up to the sun deck with a good book and enjoy the waveless, windless, sunny day. Yesterday’s multinet sample contained very few microplastic particles for me to count- thus I have the day off before my shift starts at 16:00. Yesterday was another story altogether, but I will not bore you with depressing statistics about pelagic plastics. Instead, I will jot down a list of some of the highlights of the cruise so far, as given by my fellow students and some of the scientists:

The food (Everything is amazingly fresh. We get dessert at lunch time- my favorite is the fruit and ice cream. Not to mention the cakes at tea time.

From ice cream to cake at tea time- everything is fresh and tasty

From ice cream to cake at tea time- everything is fresh and tasty

The people (OBVIOUSLY!).

Crew on board

Crew on board

Working shifts (I have a suspicion that it was a sarcastic answer, but the games we play to amuse ourselves while waiting for the uCTD to be reeled in are hillarious).

Working shift fun!

Working shift fun!

Mate (a strange green tea that the South Americans love).

The sunset of 4 March was a highlight for almost everybody.

Sunset in March from RV Meteor

Sunset in March from RV Meteor

Kicker tournaments! (Now that everybody has settled into their sleeping routines, evenings are occupied by kicker- I know it as foosball. Table soccer. Tim has organized a kicker league that is set to start this evening. Last time I played, I scored three goals against my own team…).

Laying eyes on the Meteor for the first time was a powerful experience for all!

Laying eyes on RV Meteor for the first time

Laying eyes on RV Meteor for the first time

A couple of days ago, the ocean was not nearly as amiable as it is today. Deploying the multinet and CTD was a proper adventure. The shift leaders were very thankful that everybody made it out in one piece… more or less.

We have started with basic oceanographic classes (Now I am starting to understand what we have been doing for the past week!)

I will ask around a bit more and have a more detailed highlight sheet ready next time it is my turn to blog. Thank you for all your support from all over the world!

 

Veronica van der Schyff

North-West University

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