Young Endeavour

My Photo scholarship 2010 entry

Australia | Sunday, October 17, 2010 | 5 photos

When I stepped aboard the Young Endeavour Sail Training Ship, I was surprisingly speechless. I had never met any of these people beforehand, yet I was to spend ten days at sea in their presence with very little personal space. To be honest, I was shocked. I had become rather used to the creature comforts available on land, particularly footing that was in the same place as it was when my foot left the ground.
I left that ship with lifelong friends. Never have I seen an experience that leaves such a mark on a person, changing their perspective on what is important, and their ability to cope with extremes such as weather, fatigue or injury. It built strong bonds between personalities that would not occur in day to day life.
These photographs portrayed a day spent at Keswick Island, part of the Whitsunday Islands on Australia’s north coast. The day brought with it some interesting weather, making it both exciting and intense. I particularly enjoyed it, as the watch I was part of was on duty for the ‘Morning’ (4-8am) and ‘Last Dog’ (6-8pm) watches, allowing us to view both the sun and moon rise.
My fondest memories involve travelling – the awe, anticipation and slight apprehension in seeing new places is electrifying. It is a passion of mine to immerse myself in the culture, environment and also the language of a foreign place. To be able travel to and photograph Bhutan would fuel this fervour. I am a fast and motivated learner who would love nothing more than to receive photographic insight and perhaps, one day, pass it on.