The KWC crew onboard the ship.

KWC alumni Rev. Tom Eblen ’68 (center back) and his daughter, Catherine Eblen Sherrard ’95 (center front), join Captain Ayers (far left) and the crew for a day of sailing in the Virgin Islands. Tom is a member of the KWC Board of Trustees. (Click the photo for a larger version.)

Old pals -- Ken Ayers, left, and Tom Eblen.

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During the 2012 Winter Term (January 3-19), Dr. Ken Ayers is teaching a travel class in the Virgin Islands called Leadership Through Sailing. Five students are taking the class and are sending updates and photos for the KWC blog. If you missed any entries, you can also read their adventures from the beginning.

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Day Three:

Today we sailed.

The morning started with preliminary sailing instructions, before we hit the open waters. We started sailing with just the jib and headed towards the other side of the ocean, starting in the Caribbean sea and crossing into the mighty Atlantic. We reported to the captain after listening to the weather forecast that the wind speeds should not exceed 20-25 knots. He told us we wouldn’t sail anything over 25. None of us were prepared for what lay ahead.

When we reached the Atlantic, winds quickly exceeded the 25 knots; they averaged between 27 and 33 knots, peaking at a ferocious 38 knots. Thankfully, our Captain and Momma Sue were completely prepared for these forceful winds, but this was one of the craziest and most successful sails. Once we reached Mary’s Point, we all felt more at peace — we had survived the breath of God.

The captain told us that in the ocean are winds, waves, rocks and reefs that can all be hidden. But it builds character, the kind of character you find on battlefields, crossing oceans, climbing mountains and crossing desserts, the kind of character that our generation is lacking. Today we built character.

Once we arrived at our destination for the night, we hiked to Anneburg, the resting place of an old sugar mill. The crew became a family. After we dinghied back to the boat, some chose to snorkel while others fed fish shrimp tails. Tonight we ate a marvelous meal composed of cheese grits, shrimp and vegetables. Now we sit back with our iced teas, and look forward to what the sea has in store for us tomorrow.

Student Quotes

“Today’s sail reminded me of my Coast Guard days on the Bering Sea where it took everyone on deck to work as one to get through the horrendous conditions.” – John Bell

“The most fun I’ve probably ever had on the water.” – Tatum McMahon

“Today was one of the most amazing days of my life. I have always had a fear of water and this trip (especially today) made me feel so confident. I have never been happier and I have never felt more comfortable!” – Maggie Johansen

“There is so much more to sailing than meets the eye. Today I learned about one percent of what we need to learn to sail. I look forward to tomorrow and learning more about this wonderful pasttime.” – Jordan Gary

“There are no words to explain what I went through today. I could try and tell you, but it would do no justice. I’m used to the waves on a lake and let me tell you, the biggest wave I’ve seen doesn’t compare to what I saw today. Nevertheless it was amazing.” – Jayden Morrison

“Today I was amazed at how great the students did in their sailing instruction. They took the helm, learned to tack in heavy winds and they learned you can’t stop nature. Sometimes you have to trim your sails and face the wind. Tomorrow we set sail east to the British Virgin Islands.” – Captain Ayers

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During the 2012 Winter Term (January 3-19), Dr. Ken Ayers is teaching a travel class in the Virgin Islands called Leadership Through Sailing. Five students are taking the class and are sending updates and photos for the KWC blog. This is their first entry.

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Day One:

Today we set sail from St. Thomas south by southwest. We went to buoy number two and turned east before mooring at Christmas cove about 4 p.m.

Once we anchored, we went snorkeling and saw lots of sting rays, beautiful fish, colorful coral reefs and deadly sea urchins. Our snorkel ended at a beach, where we found a dried-out conch shell.

Later, we had a delicious homemade dinner made by Chef Ayers. (Way better than the caf.) No leftovers of the chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans and stuffing remained. After dinner we laid under the clear constellations of St. Thomas.

Tomorrow we set sail for the island of St. John, where we will hike and do sailing instruction. The weather is 82 degrees and we’re loving every minute of it.

Student Quotes from Day One:

“I can’t stop smiling, this place is unreal.” – Maggie Johansen

“This is one of the best adventures I’ve ever had.” – John Bell

“By far the best day of my life.” – Jayden Morrison

“Best time since the big bang.” – Tatum McMahon

“This is my element.” – Jordan Gary

Day Two:

Today we sailed east to the heart and soul of the Caribbean, St. John. We faced strong force five winds and arrived safely to our anchorage on the south side of the island.

We began our adventures with lunch and a snorkel — we got to swim with spotted sting rays that were jumping from the ocean. Next we went on a treacherous hike that almost took us prisoner. We went on the hike alone, as a team building exercise. After a few wrong turns (thankfully no cannibals) we reached our destination, which was the petroglyphs and some ruins. We hiked back like nobody’s business.

When we returned exhausted, we finished the evening with a snorkel, while our Master Chef Ayers prepared another top-notch meal, which consisted of steaks, baked potatoes, asparagus and grilled pineapples.

We just finished our lesson of the night on weather, and are now preparing for bed. As we sit here in the heart of the Caribbean eating ice cream, we are discussing our upcoming adventure. Tomorrow we sail.

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During the 2012 Winter Term (January 3-19), Dr. Arcea Zapata de Aston is teaching a travel class called Language, Culture and Diversity in Costa Rica. Three students are taking the class and are sending updates and photos for the KWC blog. If you missed any entries, you can read a full account of the trip on the Costa Rica page above. You can also see a full photo gallery from the trip online (click “recent albums” to see day-by-day photos).

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Day Two:

Today was an early morning. Undoubtedly, we all slept well — we hardly got any sleep on the road or in the air yesterday.

We all agreed to meet at 7 a.m. for breakfast. The Costa Rican breakfast is surprisingly nutrition based. Laid out across the counter were pitchers of farm fresh milk (we later discovered it gets delivered everyday), fresh fruit juice and hot Costa Rican coffee, along with cut-up papaya, pineapple and watermelon. Also offered to us was a plate of eggs, rice and beans (humorously titled “Casados” which means married) with a piece of cheese.

Breakfast!

El Volcan Poas was to be our first attraction. Emmanuel, our guide for the entire trip, mentioned that it might be a bit chilly on El Volcan Poas. Who would have thought it would be cold around a volcano? Needless to say, I wish I would have known how cold it would be 8,000 feet above sea level! But, I prayed that the Lord would keep me and I wouldn’t become too cold, and that’s the way it worked out.

In front of a volcano!

The view from the top was absolutely surreal; we were eye to eye with clouds!  Below was a turquoise acidic stew of water, ash and sulfur. As we continued our tour of the Poas Volcano, we came across a lagoon made solely from rain deposit yet heated by the volcano itself. That was breathtaking to see.

The Lagoon

Later, we visited a coffee plantation, which was very interesting and cool. We got to learn about the process of how a seed starts by hanging off a tree – yes, a tree. There are misconceptions that coffee is a plant of some sort, but it’s actually more like a tree with tiny little seeds (coffee beans) hanging off.

At the coffee plantation

The process of making coffee and comparing the plant to the finished product is quite interesting. Apparently, they pick only the reddest seeds to be exported, making those their primary exports. The Costa Ricans drink secondary and tertiary coffee seeds.  A cool surprise was to try the coffee beans in their primary form and the “meat” around the bean. You’d never guess that it’s sweet!  Verrrryyyy delicious …

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During the 2012 Winter Term (January 3-19), Dr. Arcea Zapata de Aston is teaching a travel class called Language, Culture and Diversity in Costa Rica. Three students are taking the class and are sending updates and photos for the KWC blog. This is their first entry. You can also see a full photo gallery from the trip online (click “recent albums” to see day-by-day photos).

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Day One:

Well…. Sunday was hectic, to put it nicely. First there was the packing, and the checking, then the going out and buying things you forgot to get, followed by the double checking…meanwhile all the time you are thinking to yourself, “This can’t be real.”

Welcome to Costa Rica!

After an 18-hour traveling experience, we arrived in Costa Rica. It didn’t seem real. “Era como un sueño. Que bonita, que hermosa, que refrescante! Hotel Robledal es magnifico! Me encanta este lugar!” The architecture is beautiful, along with the laid-back layout of the property. The bright yellow walls and rustic dark wooden doors complement the excitement of Costa Rica and the tropical nature.

When we arrived at the hotel, I fell in love. It is the best hotel I have ever stayed at, not because it has a huge screen TV and all these different amenities that make hotels expensive, but because of how plain and elegant it is. They allow you to take yourself out of your room and into the world.

Our hotel

Beautiful trees and plants surround us. My favorite was a tree called a trumpet tree. This is because it is very straight, yet hollow. The ants use this as their “hotel,” but what’s truly amazing is to see the ants protect the tree. One helps the other, giving you a real idea of how we should work as humans to find that balance as well.

A trumpet tree

Thus began what we knew would be a long, exhilarating, fun trip.

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A Fall 2012 KWC class, entitled Justice and Revolution in Cuba, gave a group from Kentucky Wesleyan a rare chance to study the history of the Cuban Revolution and the status of the current legal system in Cuba. The group travelled throughout the country, and met with Cuban government officials, law professors from the University of Havana, and veterans of the Cuban Revolution, as well as local Cuban citizens.

Students Jonathan Bell and Dustin Staves kept a journal of their activities while in Cuba. If you missed the first few posts, you can read their account from the beginning. You can also see a full photo gallery of the trip on KWC’s Flickr account.

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Day 11
Headed to the airport – the USA is only 90 miles away. KWC will return to CUBA in the Fall of 2012 with graduate students from Arizona State University. The course will be “Justice, Public Health and Culture.” Travel back in time with us and experience a travel abroad course like no other. If you’re interested, contact Dr. Ken Ayers at Kentucky Wesleyan at 270-852-3169 or kenay@kwc.edu.

Below are a few more photos from the trip we haven’t posted yet. Hope you enjoy them — thanks for reading!

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