From Dominica to Panama with School at Sea

With the School at Sea project, a class of students sails across the ocean and back again on a three-master for six months. EOC newsletter ‘Varende Vrienden’ is following Danique, Isis, Jade, Marit and Valentine.

“At around eight o’clock on Boxing Day (back in 2024!), we left Dominica for Curaçao. The moment we left the bay and turned off the engine, the sail was immediately hoisted. Full sail to Curaçao! We thought…”
Marit and Valentine made a report for ‘Varende Vrienden’ for this part of the trip. After an initial lull, the wind picked up:
“At first, we just barely sailed backwards. Fortunately, the wind later picked up and we were able to cruise to Curaçao at about six knots. When we thought the wind couldn’t blow any harder, Mother Nature proved the opposite. We went faster and faster. Our captain even concluded that we would arrive too early and had to go a lot slower, as there was no place at the quay yet! So a lot of sail had to come off anyway and on the last day we sailed only on the staysail (and still did six knots).

Willemstad

The next morning we were bobbing at Willemstad, waiting for the green signal to enter the harbour. Around three o’clock, the pontoon bridge moved aside and we were piloted in. That evening it was also New Year’s Eve, so we had a big party with the traditional Dutch treat ‘oliebollen’ and celebrated the turn of the year. In Curaçao, we visited a museum on the history of slavery, also doing an assignment for school. After a few school days, we waved goodbye to this piece of the Netherlands in the Caribbean.

Our best Spanish

Unlike the departure from Dominica, we were now heading towards San Blas at ten knots. With a new crew on board, the watches were very pleasant. As the water became increasingly blue, islands full of palm trees began to appear. The anchor was dropped and immediately locals came on board with boats full of bracelets, dresses and more, to sell their goods. Bargaining a little in our best Spanish, we bought some pretty nice souvenirs. The next day we went to see the settlement on the islet. Here we walked around and swam with the children. For us, this was the most enjoyable free time so far. Then it was time to cruise on to another islet.

Uninhabited island

In the late afternoon, we arrived at our destination. Here we spent the next three days on a small uninhabited island. One such day consisted of cooking, snorkelling and chilling. Real Caribbean vibes! The coral was beautiful and so big. Such a wonderful escape from school.
After this survival trip, we sailed the Thalassa to Portobelo. When we arrived in the bay there, we again saw only paradise around us. Clear water, vegetated hills and a lovely warm breeze. Here we also had a little excursion. First we went kayaking through a patch of mangrove and then we walked through the jungle and were explained about plants and animals. Smelling the salty air again, we came to a beautiful stretch of beach with coral and palm trees. Just like the ones you see in the Lonely Planet.

A man, a plan, a canal

And then suddenly it was here: backpacking through Panama! The groups were announced, and before we knew it, we were on our way to the dinghy with full backpacks on our backs. We did say a quick goodbye to the crew disembarking and then off the Thalassa like the wind. Each group had their own adventures that week and made a top time of it. As quickly as it started, it ended again. Everyone had had a great trip of their own. Yet it was also nice to come back on board, or ‘home’ as some are starting to call it. Once again, we had a new crew member. Jet will keep the ship sailing with us from twelve to six from now on. Or yes, that’s what we assume anyway!”

Read the whole story in the EOC’s ‘Varende Vrienden’ newsletter.
Image: SaS.

Windassist sponsor