Cape Town - Kids, close your eyes and imagine how it must feel to sail on a ship that has toured the world for 100 years. Would you be excited or nervous? How do you think it would feel or smell like? Would you stay up all night, or would you want to take every moment in and stay wide awake until the sun comes out?
The Jellybean Journal caught up with some kids who experienced the excitement of sailing with Norwegian ship Statsraad Lehmkuhl.
Ethan Govender was on the ship for 10 days and said it was a wonderful experience.
“I have learnt that it is important to appreciate the time I have. There were hammocks hanging everywhere and benches all around. There were many lockers for our belongings.
“It feels bittersweet because I feel glad to be back on land, but sad because the journey is over. My favourite memory is one night, two scientists sat at the front of the ship and listened to music and talked for hours,” he said.
Joshua Gillett said that he had lots of fun and made many new friends and memories.
“We slept in hammocks in a big room where all the walls and floor were wooden. It felt very cosy. It feels great to be back and I think I will always remember the friends I made on the ship,” he said.
Saphira Shaik said one of her favourite memories is when she and her friends sat on the ship and watched the sunset. She does feel a bit weird being back on land.
“Below deck was divided into three sections, one was for the bathrooms and laundry room and the other two were our sleeping quarters and the one closer towards the front of the ship was also the cafeteria and in both rooms there were lockers and tables and benches as well.
“It was an amazing time and it does feel a little weird to be back on land,” she said.
Mpilwenhle Langa enjoyed all the insightful lectures, meeting new friends and looking at the stars at night on the ship.
“I think I have learnt to be more conscious of my actions and learn to understand how it affects the oceans. I will definitely miss sitting at the comfortable wooden benches that sit under the pink hammocks. And the squeaking of my takkies on the wooden floors after long shifts trying to not make noise for the others,” she said.
