At 0800 Atlantic Standard Time, 0700 Eastern Standard Time, and 1200Z, the Training Ship Empire State was moored at Admiral Byron Wharf, in Willemstad, Curacao, taking various services from the pier. The weather: air temperature was 28 degrees and water temperature was 26 degrees Centigrade, or 82 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit, skies were cloudy; winds were from the East (100 degrees) at 10 knots; barometric pressure was 30.03 inches of mercury or 1017 millibars. Relative humidity was 78%. The weather has changed very little all week. However, it has become somewhat sticky this morning. We will deal with it.

CAPTAIN'S LOG

Another Friday in Curacao and the liberty hardened Cadets rapidly dispersed across the island. For those familiar with southeastern Massachusetts, Curacao is about half the length of Cape Cod and at the narrowest point, only 2.5 miles wide. So, the rapidly moving Cadets reach the limit of the tethers in short order. Don't let the size of the Island fool you. There is ample entertainment to go around. Of course, some have established favorite haunts but many continue to appraise everything. The beach and aquatic pursuits are currently atop the lists and many started the afternoon with, windsurfing, sailing, or diving, and some were seen with fishing rods; who knows what benthic behemoths they will catch or of more importance, swear to have caught.

The small, secluded beaches with crystal clear blue waters are particularly attractive and fins and facemask are all one really needs to become a Sea Hunt fanatic. Many of the cadets are very well tanned by now (Engineers excepted) and look as if they have been here for several months. Stroking and gliding in these beautiful waters would turn Jack Frost into a beach bum so who can blame them?

The constantly changing inventory of cruise ships keeps Willemstad alive. Each new sea going paradise brings hundreds of well-rested people, all geared up to party. None stay more than a few days so we are the exception. That is beneficial for those hardy souls who possess the fortitude to maintain the crippling pace. (Cadets do; I do not) Friday night was especially vibrant with pristine ships at every berth and a huge theme weekend in the offing.

Even though we are miles from Tampa, the Super Bowl extravaganza reaches even here. The Mega cruisers center the weekend entertainment on it and pre Super Bowl parties dominate the scene, island wide. Many partakers would not know a football from a head of cabbage but that is of no significance for happy vacationers. The infinitely resourceful and mildly opportunistic cadets find the arrangements much to their liking as they blend in and make themselves at home.

Most everyone is having a wonderful time. However, I sense that many are ready to move and that desire will be more pronounced after Sunday's festivities. I overheard cadets talking about being tired and sore after a grueling day of work followed by an evening at the beach. One said to the other, get over it, 1000 aches is only one kilohurtz... Well indoctrinated members of Coach Domingos' football team? What do you think?

Work continues at Curacao Drydock and by all reports the restorative efforts are on track. When the rotor first left the ship, the sight of it reminded me of a happy, old hockey player grinning around the scars of an errant slap shot. However, since Bitter Tuesday, machinists have replaced the majority of the missing "teeth" and with little more of their expert orthodontia, all will be smiling. I hope to officiate at the official "welcome home" ceremony later this afternoon. Stay tuned.

You will remember the British Ship, Cable Enterprise, that so graciously assisted us during our move on Thursday evening. Well, in an effort to thank them for enduring such inconvenience, I sent a small gift to the Captain, only to be invited aboard for dinner. When invited to a British ship, one must not hesitate! So three officers and I went last evening. We arrived on the quarterdeck precisely on time and were immediately escorted to the "Pub", where the Captain greeted us. He offered a large selection of drinks and I presented him with a modest bottle of wine and a plaque from our Regiment of Cadets. Then we moved into the Officer's Dining Room where we were treated to an English feast; sushi, roast beef, Yorkshire pudding, and a wonderful selection of cheeses for dessert. After dinner we were given a guided, and remarkably detailed tour of the ship that culminated back at the "Pub". There I found, to my surprise, four of our crewmembers relaxing with new friends and enjoying a "pint".

The British Officers offered to conduct tours of the ship for our cadets and we agreed to a soccer match as well. They will be our guests for our Super Bowl party so the weekend will be even more fun. Once again, we profit from inconvenience.

Well, I hate to write and run but the soccer match awaits. Those fascinating Brits. I knew they were happy to see us during tea, last Thursday. I wonder what all the gesturing was about? Oh well, Cheerio. See you tomorrow.

CADET COMMENTS

Cadet 3/C Erin Lawrence

Honestly, I never thought that being trapped in paradise could drive so many people crazy. Since the turbo generator is broken, and will take a while to fix, our agenda has taken a sudden turn. Unfortunately, we are going to miss Costa Rica. I know that many of us were looking forward to seeing the rainforests. However, St. Thomas should be beautiful and we are going to do our lifeboat training here tomorrow and Sunday, which will give us more free time there. Sophomores must lower the lifeboats into the water and practice driving them. We also have to coxswain (command the monomoys) in order to become certified lifeboat men/women. It is exciting but nerve wracking. Right now, I am studying my commands and trying to learn them by heart.

Work on the ship is exhausting and having liberty, almost every night, is tiring. I just completed scullery duty, washing the ship's dishes and because my three-day stint in the galley was over, I got to sleep for part of the afternoon. Afternoon naps are a rare treat.

Although many are apprehensive about being here for so long, I don't mind. Curacao is beautiful, and I've had so much fun on my days off.

Saturday, I spent the day snorkeling and on the beach with some good friends. Later, we went to a party, also at the beach. Coconut laden palm trees line the beaches, making beautiful landscapes, and shops, restaurants, and bars provide entertainment for everyone. The sand is so soft that it almost tickles your feet.

Sunday, 11 friends and I took a guided scuba tour. That was amazing! We dived down 100 feet and explored a coral reef, I saw things live, that I had only seen on the discovery channel. We saw an array of sea life including rainbow fish, eels, seahorses, puffer fish, and many others.

Next, we dived on a tugboat that sunk 27 years ago. That was wicked cool.

For the past two nights, I have been off the ship, relaxing. But thoughts of my family and my friend, Lynn, crowded my mind. It is very hard to make phone calls here. I just want to tell them I love them, and I miss them, and I am having a great time. Talk to you soon!! Erin Lawrence

QUESTIONS FOR MONDAY 29 JANUARY

MATH:

Cadet Pacheco wanted a new CD player and speakers. He went to a department store in Willemstad where the CD player was priced at 460.11 NAfl and the speakers were 576.11 NAfl. Before leaving on Sea Term, he saw the same equipment in Hyannis, where the entire set was priced at $549.99 USD. Where should he buy the items if he wants to save money? The exchange rate is 1.77 NAfl to 1 USD.

SCIENCE:

We often hear that global warming is human caused climate change. Name three natural factors that are responsible for climate change.

GEOGRAPHY:

Name Costa Rica's major agricultural exports.

HISTORY:

Curacao is an island of the Netherlands Antilles. What European Country first "discovered" it and in what year?

ANSWERS FOR FRIDAY 26 JANUARY

MATH:

The total bill was 90.88 NAfl/1.77 = $51.34 dollars.

$51.34/5 = $10.27 each.

SCIENCE:

Climate

GEOGRAPHY:

Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, Belize.

HISTORY:

Belize was formerly known as British Honduras.