The Bark Europa

Tuesday, Dec 22, 2015

The taxi dropped me at the Mardones Pier where the Bark Europa is docked.  A few people arrived before me, then there was a steady trickle of other guest crew showing up.  There was tea, coffee, water and little cakes to nibble while we introduced ourselves and started to get to know each other!  We are going to be in close quarters for the next 3 ½ weeks!   Many people from the Netherlands, some from Germany, Australia, England, Ireland, USA, Switzerland. 

We had two folks that had a 30 hour bus ride from Puerto Mont that arrived an hour before final call.  There are still two people stranded on Easter Island.  They are trying to get passage and will meet us in Port William.  Two people had to cancel.  The husband is a veterinarian from Australia.  He was bitten in the hand by a cat and developed a deep infection and is on IV antibiotics.  What a disappointment.

We had a nice dinner, introduction from the Captain, Eric, a drink of Pisca Sour (a drink from Peru, but the Cheleans like to claim it), a safety talk from Elz (first mate), then more visiting.

We will set sail at 2am.  Most of us are heading to bed, and plan to get up for the event.  I am going to bed in my cloths in preparation to get up…

I am in a cabin with 4 other ladies.  There are 3 sets of bunks, Six drawers, 8 little cupboards and two little closets for our gear.  The empty bunk is for our (mostly) empty bags.  We have a tiny “head” (bathroom) with a shower head.  Not quite sure how it will work… but will get it figured out!

Well, it is getting pretty quiet, seems like everybody is heading to bed.  Time for me as well.

Wow, we are really here!