~The Great Watermelon Voyage~
Through this unique opportunity to carry a cargo of watermelon on a historic ship, students from the Maestral Home for Children without Parents, will:
Each summer an enterprising group of students from Maestral home for children, which is an orphanage and foster home located outside Split, Croatia, participate in a real cargo-carrying voyage through the Dalmatian Islands and back to their home. For the third year in a row, the Great Watermelon Voyage will help preserve maritime and ecological heritage in the coastal communities using the power of the wind to carry cargo and and to give these students an experience that will last a lifetime.
The voyage takes them to the agricultural center in the Neretva Valley, where they load a traditionally rigged sailing vessel full of one of the largest, most abundant, and delicious crops in the region, the watermelon, then set sail toward their hometown. The expedition takes place as a sail training and environmental education program for these young adults aboardGospa od mora (our Lady of the Sea) which is a lateen rigged replica of a cargo boat who’s design dates back to the 16th century. During the trip, they will learn the arts of seamanship, the ways of the stout old ship, the natural and social history of the islands, and help their community with proceeds of the voyage.
During the 10 day voyage, students from the home will be responsible for all aspects of handling the working vessel including the loading and securing of the cargo and navigation underway, and documenting the trip, not only do they help to sail a classic ship up the coast and have an experience of a lifetime. They will also benefit their communities by participating in beach clean ups and other service activities along the way. This gives students a real life experience that stays with them for years to come.
All proceeds of the voyage go to the Maestral Home for Children.
Read the blogs from past years trips http://adriatic-maritime.org
Special Thanks to Tom Rosenthal for use of this wonderful song. Please check it out on iTunes https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/id9...