Crossing the Atlantic

Trip Start Jan 15, 2009
1
9
26
Trip End May 06, 2009


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Where I stayed
MV Explorer

Flag of Bahamas  ,
Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Today was our first day far from land.  Of course I have spent many hours at beaches in many different places - Florida, Alabama, Texas, Nantucket, Rhode Island, Maine, California, Australia, New Zealand, and France.  Watching and listening as waves break onto the shore is soothing and pleasant.  But watching the great blue ocean from the side of a boat is surprisingly different. 
 
Two thoughts came to mind.  First, it is soothing to watch, but more than soothing too.  I felt some fear and reverence.  It is so huge and empty....what would it feel like to be Magellan, Columbus, or Desoto?  They didn't really know where they were going, had unreliable crews & equipment, and had little warnings about upcoming storms (here aboard the MV Explorer the crew sets out barf bags when rough seas are approaching - so we passengers have our own weather forecast).  So I was mesmerized, intrigued, and a bit frightened by the scale of the ocean. 
 
Second, I know why the earth is sometimes called the blue planet.  The water is SO blue.  The small swimming pool on board is filled with sea water.   A system strains the water and pumps it up to the 7th deck.  In the pool it looks as clear as any pool water.  But in its natural place, the color is hard to believe.  A recent bestseller on the business book list was called Blue Ocean Strategy.  The premise is that companies should avoid "red oceans" that are full of existing competitors and instead seek their own markets - maybe even markets that don't yet exist.  The analogy is more powerful now that I have seen the blue ocean.  In these days, I have seen only one other vessel.  it is a deserted place out here!
 
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Comments

katiecasselli
katiecasselli on

for abby
Hi Abby-Everyone at school misses you and so do I. We loved the new pictures posted and your dad's entry today. We liked the jelly fish picture and the pictures of the ocean are really pretty. I love your room...it looks cozy. Keep sending pictures and keep me posted. Love,Katie

grainne68
grainne68 on

Ahoy there matey's
Hello Tompson gang, sounds like everything is going well. I loved your description of the voyage..I keep thinking of all the immigrants who sailed over to the US in degrading/disgusting squalor many not surviving.
Well talking of degrading and disgusting we are on the eve of the Gasparilla craziness (albeit the kids parade tomorrow) that engulfs. We had frost yesterday 1st time I recall in our 4 years!
Have fun, spoken to Lynn having coffee with her.
Keep up the good work.

Love your friends here in Tampa the O'Rourkes

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