Class Afloat Semester 1 2023 - 2024 School Year Ports
As I am writing this, my soon-to-be classmates/friends are in Porto, Portugal which is amazing! They just arrived from a very hard sail; they encountered a category 3 hurricane with waves up to 15 meters tall! The good thing is that made it safely and despite the harsh conditions, they learned and now know what it is like to sail in harsh conditions.
This year's crew started the school year on September 12 in Grimnitszeezsee, Berlin Area, Germany, and then they went to Heino, Amsterdam Area, Netherlands. They started with activities to get to know each other and officially start the academic school year. After approximately one month on land, they went to Bremerhaven, Germany; home to the Alexander-von-Humboldt II which is where they boarded the ship and set sail to Porto. Due to the rough sea conditions, there was a surprise port in Cherbourg, France; I mean they can't complain. After Portugal they will head to Casablanca, Morroco; Funchal, Madeira; Mindelo, Cabo Verde; Fernando de Noronha, Brazil (not sure if it will be a stop due to government restrictions); Paramaribo, Suriname; and finishing in Bridgetown Barbados. Here is a bit of information about each place: (all of the information mentioned below was retrieved from the Class Afloat website which you can visit here: https://classafloat.com/discover/itinerary/).
Grimnitszeezsee, Berlin Area, Germany: Grimnitszee is located in the eastern suburbs of the capital, and most populous, city in Germany. Berlin is a city that has seen some of the lowest lows in history, namely the Holocaust, but it is also a city that reinvented itself with the German Expressionist movement in the 20th century. Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, home to the Class Afloat office, has a piece of the Berlin Wall, standing in front of the Royal Canadian Legion. Lunenburg itself was named after a German Duke- The Duke of Braunschweig-Luneburg. While in Berlin, students will have the opportunity to see remnants of the Berlin Wall, The Brandenburg Gate, and Museum Island and be surrounded by incredible architecture and history on every street.
Heino, Amsterdam Area, Netherlands: Less than 90 minutes from Amsterdam, Heino is a village in the Netherlands with over 7,000 inhabitants, beautiful estates, a castle with impressive gardens unique sculptures, museums, and more. While in Heino, students will call Forest Lodge their home and have many opportunities to build their strong community bond before traveling to Bremerhaven to board the Alex II.
Bremerhaven, Germany: Home to the Alexander Von Humboldt II, Bremerhaven, Germany is where students will board the ship for their adventure at sea.
Cherbourg, France: Located on the Northwest coast of the country, Cherbourg is known for its maritime history, beautiful coastline, the Cherbourg-Octeville submarine base, and historical museums. It is known for its delicious seafood and it is a great spot for sailing enthusiasts.
Porto, Portugal: Porto is the second largest city in Portugal and is best known for its cobbled streets, stunning bridges, and production of delicious port wine. As part of our port program, students will tour a Port Cellar and while they won’t be drinking any Port (rules are rules) students will sample a taste of Fado, a musical genre that originates from Lisbon and can be traced back to the 1820s. Students will also enjoy a walking tour of the old city and time to explore the famous Ribeira district, filled with buzzing restaurants, shops, and cafes.
Casablanca, Morocco: Morocco is a Class Afloat signature port filled with sandy dunes, friendly tour guides, and our favorite four-legged friends. In Morocco, students will enjoy a camel safari and a night under the stars in the Saharan desert where they will grow closer as a community while experiencing a rich culture and stunning natural environment.
Funchal, Madeira: Home to more than just famous footballer Cristiano Ronaldo, Madeira is an archipelago of islands and one of two autonomous regions belonging to Portugal. Students will have an opportunity to explore the island's lengthy network of "levadas", irrigation systems that were started in the 16th century as well as the Madeiran Whaling Museum, Monte's Church, the Botanical Gardens, and Funchal's oldest forms of transportation - the Monte sled! The traditional sleds are actually wicker toboggans that have been used in the city since 1850. Race you to the bottom!
Mindelo, Cabo Verde: Mindelo is considered to be the cultural hub of the country. It is a vibrant musical town where students can soak up the very best of Cape Verdean culture which is predominated by a rich tradition of music and art. There is a lively buzz of music throughout the pubs, restaurants, and streets. The city is the largest port in Cabo Verde and a frequent stop for sailing yachts making the Atlantic crossing.
Fernando de Noronha, Brazil: Fernando de Noronha is an archipelago of 21 islands, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The largest island is only 18 square kilometers in size. The ship will anchor off the coast and hope to begin each morning with a swim call when we usually see large pods of dolphins swimming by and leaping through the water. Students will explore this island oasis, learning from the local residents, hiking the island’s cliffs, snorkeling, and scuba diving among the sea life, and visiting the spectacular beaches.
Paramaribo, Suriname: Located on the banks of the Suriname River, students will have the chance to explore the ornate wooden Dutch colonial buildings of Paramaribo and tour the Amazon, learning from local guides about the medicinal properties of jungle plants. Crew members will also have the chance to ride on long, motorized canoes on the Upper Suriname River in the hopes of spotting caimans. Keep your eyes peeled!
Bridgetown, Barbados: Bridgetown, Barbados, is the island's largest and most vibrant city. This historic city is now recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with plenty for our adventurous students to explore. Our crew will reunite in the spectacular city of Bridgetown after their semester break. They will spend a couple of days exploring the city, getting to know our new semester two students, and reorienting themselves with safety and sail training sessions before departing for the second half of our year at sea.
If you want to keep up with Class Afloat and what they are doing now, check out the Instagram account @classafloat and follow the ship tracker to know where they are at any time: https://classafloat.com/sail/ship-tracker/
Comments
Post a Comment