Monday 2 May 2016

Tall Ship

This past week has been a hard one. One of those I'm feeling very unappreciated kind of weeks. The ones that get you down. There were a few positive moments in there, I can see that but most of it I was feeling as gloomy as the weather looked. 
Basically it looks like the new casual daycare job I got is a flop. I am now up to the 3rd roster that I haven't been put on, which I received on Friday. Friday was also when I was told I wasn't needed for the extra hours I'd been asked to do on Saturday. Friday was not good.
I really feel I could vent so many of my frustrations from last week on here, but I'm not going to. What is the point of that really, well other than getting them out there.
Oh well. It'll be right.
The sun will come out tomorrow and all of that.


Actually the sun did try to come out on Saturday, in between showers.
One of the highlights of the week happened on Saturday too. I got to get up close and personal with something I hadn't been that close to before. Actually something I hadn't seen before in real life either, that I recall.


When I was down on the Esplanade on Anzac Day I spotted something a little different over at the marina. Unfortunately when I went and investigated the gates were shut onto that arm so I couldn't get close. However on Saturday morning they opened it all up so we could get really close. So close in fact that we were allowed on it.
A tall ship.
How cool is that!


This is the Sorlandet.
Launched in 1927 she is the oldest full rigged ship still in operation in the world.
That made it even cooler.
Not only was it my first up close a personal with a tall ship, it was the oldest working one sailing the seas.


The Sorlandet was built in Norway and originally used as a training ship.
When you look her up, it seems she has had a varied and interesting life from sailing to the World Fair in Chicago in 1933 to being an accommodation vessel for German submariners during WWII. During WWII she was damaged but was restored by 1948 and 10 years later she received her first engine. Over the years since then she had had various restorations to keep her in good working order.


So why was this beauty in Cairns?
Well she is currently being used for a school called A+ World Academy and on board were mariners, teachers and students who are currently over 8 months in to their up to 2 year trip around the world visiting 44 cities in 22 counties.
Now that is a school!
Believe it or not this is the first time this ship will have circumnavigated the world.




When I first saw the the ship all I wanted to do was get some photos of the outside.





 However getting to have a look around on board as well as chat to the teachers and students was a definite plus.


The students were happy to chat about the ship, what they were doing, where they had been, where they were from and anything else people asked.


The students live, eat, work and play together in a fairly confined area. You can't get much more confined than a boat in the middle of the ocean.


I had a chat with one of the teachers about what is like teaching the teens and how it all goes with everyone having to live in each others pockets.


She said the schooling side at sea means they have very limited resources and also commented that she does lots of downloading when she reaches port. It sounds very much like distance education that I know and have worked with. She also said that mostly the students get along well but they have their moments and that it is good preparation for the real world and workplace. So true that.


They are all certainly having the experience of a lifetime and you can tell that the students are grateful for that and know how amazing this experience is for them.


I can't imagine the teenage me doing this but then maybe I would have jumped at the chance.


One of the American students told me this was her favourite port so far. That some countries are as accepting of Americans and she felt welcome here and had loved seeing the area.


Do you think you would be able to do this, or have done this as your teenage self?


I loved looking at all the lines and details of the ship, it really is living history.



In regards to the sailing side of things the students all seemed to have the same opinion on the actual sailing side, it is hard work but worth it. They were proud of their skills.




 And so they should be.





They were sailing out at 4pm on Saturday afternoon.
I hope they enjoy the rest of their adventures and learning.



So now you can see why it was such a highlight of my week and it is always good to get out and about.
I also got to crunch through some leaves that made it look more Autumnal than what it is.


41 comments:

  1. What an awesome idea for a school! They are so lucky to have this unique opportunity to learn, explore and travel around the world. I'm also glad to hear your Saturday went some way to helping you get over your Friday x

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    1. I know, how lucky are they.
      I always find getting out and about, especially with my camera fixes all kids of ills.

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  2. That is a beautiful tall ship. Terrific opportunity for the students, but also lots of hard work. They must be physically fit to run this ship. Setting sails out on the yards would be scary work.

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    1. When they sailed out for their next destination I spotted them starting to put out the sails, way at the top of the mast. I'm not sure I'd be able to do that, so high. The students did say it was hard work but they are enjoying it. Thanks for coming by.

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  3. Hello, gorgeous scenic views and a wonderful series on the tall ship! Happy Monday, enjoy your new week!

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  4. Thanks for the tour! Your photos are spectacular.

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    1. I'm glad you enjoyed looking around. Thank you!

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  5. I love all your photographs of that wonderful yacht

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    1. Thanks. It was pretty amazing to see a ship like that, and that old, up close.

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  6. Beautiful photos!
    I love old sailing ships too!
    I got engaged for 40 year of the *Gorch Fock* in Hamburg/Finkenwerder ;-D
    Have a lucky week,
    xo Britta

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    1. Thank you! I found it very interesting and there is something special about old things.

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  7. Oh wow, that's a beauty! Love all the details you took of this old ship! This makes my day -thank you so much for posting this and being a part of SEASONS! I love seeing your posts:)

    Feel for you - don't get stuck in this situation - have you thought of looking for another job? They seem to be seriously lacking in organization! Anyway, have (or find) some joy this week:)

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    1. Thank you! I;m glad you enjoyed the ship.

      Work ... I've applied for many jobs, but so have thousands of other people. I have just had another interview for another job. Not full time hours but at least they are guaranteed hours, so fingers crossed. Enjoy you week.

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  8. I can't imagine what it must be like to school while sailing the sea. What an experience!

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    1. It certainly would be an amazing experience, one so different to what other have.
      Thank you for coming by.

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  9. That is very cool! What a unique experience for them!

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    1. Thanks! It certainly is something different and the things they would learn ...

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  10. Wow, what an adventure for those teens. Although I get seasick to all hell, I would have loved to experience a school like this.
    Sorry to hear you are having problems with your new job, I hope it turns around for you x

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    1. I know, amazing, and I am pretty sure I would have been keen on doing something like this (the sea sickness would go away).
      I've been through a different interview for a different job so fingers crossed. Thank you.

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  11. First off let me say that you are appreciated here! I hope that things improve. These tall ships are indeed treasures. Please hurry back with more.

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    1. Thanks for that Tom. I am sure things will get better. They employed another person so the one filling in that job could do float and now I will just get calls when someone is sick or numbers are too high. I must blog about this more often because I ended up with a couple of days work straight away.
      I'm glad you enjoyed my treasure, I will certainly treasure the memory of seeing it.

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  12. That is a school of a different color. I hope things look up in the work department. Or maybe you'll want to jump ship!

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    1. It is certainly a different type of school, but one the kids seem to be enjoying. Hopefully something else comes up in the way of work, so I can jump to a different ship.

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  13. What fabulous images of the tall ship! I love the ropes onboard -- those always fascinate me!

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    1. Thank you! All the ropes and lines are interesting, and so busy looking. I kind of want to see what they all do or lead to.

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  14. I'm sorry that the job is a disappointment, that must be so frustrating. I hope that they learn to appreciate you more. And soon. At last you got to visit that gorgeous ship.
    Amalia
    xo

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    1. I am sorry too that it hasn't turned out to be what I thought it would be but that is how it is and at least I have gotten some extra work.
      I loved visiting the ship, it was certainly something different to see.

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  15. Beautiful ship and beautiful photos!

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  16. Glad you got out and enjoyed this tall ship. It really is a treasure. What a great way to learn. Your photos are fabulous. Hope things get better in the work department...
    Visiting from Tuesday's Treasures.

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    1. Thank you!
      That ship would definitely be a learning experience in so many ways.
      I am sure work will sort out in one way or another.

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  17. What an amazing experience for those teenagers, such a life changing experience.

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    1. I know, how much they would see and learn. Thanks for coming by.

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  18. Beautiful images of the ships.

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  19. What a marvellous ship! So cool... at your pictures. Thanks for sharing.
    I think, living at a ship is only for perfect teamplayer, I could it never do (I'm autistic - )... but I like to read books about.

    Thank your for visits and comments. Tomorrow in my Friday-Five-Post will write more about the building in my first photo and show another pics of it.
    Greetings from Germany

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    1. Thank you!
      I'm glad you enjoyed looking at the ship. Being a team player is hard work sometimes, especially in a small space like that ship.

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  20. Here's hoping things look up from hereon for you. *hugs*

    I love the idea of having my education aboard a ship and traveling all over, but the reality is that I don't think I can stand being on a ship for that long (I don't even like to do cruises that are more than a couple of hours long)! There's a ship that docks here yearly and it's the same idea --i.e., students and teachers, etc., --but it is also a floating book store! We look forward to it every year. The books they carry are not exactly the most current, but they're at really super prices.

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    1. Thank you!
      I don't know how it would go either, being on a ship that long, but I do know the kids were enjoying it.
      A floating bookshop, how cool! Especially if they are cheap books.

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  21. I LOVED this post! What an amazing thing to get to see! Talk about a treasure! I know getting up close and personal with this tall ship really salved your wounds over your work disappointments. You got some amazing photos!

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    1. Thank you! It definitely was a treasure. Getting out and about with my camera always fixes everything.

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