Glass Window	Brett in the Banyan Tree

We parted this week as 15 of us left for the 8-day kayak trip with Ben, Nella and visiting kayak instructor Christian, while the other 15 prepared for a week of academics.

Ashleigh and her new friend

Down Island all started with a trip to the grocery store. After two and a half months without seeing a grocery store we all went a little bit crazy. We are very proud to say that a few of us did make it to the fruit isle, however, the majority of the food consumed included things like Doritos and ice cream. After stocking up on junk food we traveled down (north) and visited various natural wonders. We stopped off at Glass Window and went down into the Hatchet Bay caves. Around sunset we arrived at Preacher's Cave.

This is same cave that the Eleutherian Adventurers stayed when they first arrived on the island of Eleuthera. We ended the night with a pasta dinner, and s'mores. A good night sleep followed. We arose to pancakes for breakfast and a long but beautiful car ride back to the Island School.

Kate in the Rock Sound caves

With a slow start due to wind and waves we had a mellow day of kayaking to nearby Palm Island. We were entertained by games of water-football, Omeros readings and exploring the nearby Lucayan archeological sight.

We then feasted on coconuts, went a little crazy and dubbed our group the coco-NUTS. After a session of yoga the next morning, we headed back out in our boats. Mid paddle the weather looked great so we changed our course and began a crossing to the Schooner Cays.

Brad on the way to the Schooner Cays

It was a challenging paddle against the current, but we were rewarded with a beautiful deserted island and sandy beaches. This was one of our favorite campsites. It was difficult to leave the oolitic paradise, complete with a tidal pool hot tub and amazing view, but we ventured on and set a new record for the Island school: paddling over 25 kilometers in one day. And then the solos began. We had a flawless crossing around Eleuthera (Lighthouse) Point and onto the windward side of the island where our solos were to take place. After two days of solitary reflection and bugs we could not stop smiling at the sight of friends and food. Two days of difficult paddling followed, through white caps, rain and Top Gun water fights. Then after a day of cleanup on the golf course of Cotton Bay, we returned to school where the other students had a welcome home surprise waiting (delicious brownies, how sweet). We had a great trip that taught us a lot about teamwork and pushing ourselves to new limits. It was fun, but in the end, we all appreciated our comfortable beds.

Ben with Mr. Coco-NUTS

Now we get three days to reunite and catch up before the rotation switches and the new kayak group heads out…and we prepare for work.

(This page was created by Nella's advisory group Mike, Lissy and Helen) (Sorry it's a little late)