Dear Future TSGBanites,

I had the opportunity to experience the Spring Cruise of 2005 to the South Pacific. Words can't describe the adventures and fun that I had on that 2 month span of my life, but I will try to convey it to you as well as possible. The closest thing I could compare it to in one sentence is like WOW week in the dorms traveling to different countries with people of all ages, grades, maturity, and personalities with good food, having the best time of your life. Now you might think "wow, I didn't really like the dorms." It's different because you become very good friends with all the people, and people are better at dealing with people than they were freshman year. You will always find someone to relate to. You learn a lot about yourself on this trip because you are put in a different environment.

The food is a lot better than the dorms because they are making food for about 300 people, not thousands of people like at the Lighthouse. They also have a baker called Mom who is amazing and will make the most amazing desserts for every meal. They always have a vegetarian option for those who don't eat meat. There are always things to do on the boat. You can work out, which you might have to do because of mom's goodies, lay out on steel beach, or watch movies and buy candy and other snacks at Pirate's Cove. We sometimes would get huge games like Pictionary or Taboo going with like 20-30 people in the big rooms (boys vs girls is always the best). Fish, play, or listen to all the musicians that there are on the boat, attend the Sunday BBQ, dance at the many organized dances and contests with cool prizes. If looking at nature is your thing, you can go out and look at the sunsets and stars. If you're taking Astronomy or know someone who is you will know all the constellations by the end of the trip. You'll make friends and then there will be unlimited things to do.

The most fun part of the trip obviously would be getting into port. It will usually be 3 full days at a city and you get to spend the whole day exploring the country. People go shopping, surfing, hiking, on guided tours into the jungles or outback, to waterfalls with rope swings, visit zoos and botanical gardens, or just relax at the beach. There is so much to do and everyone mostly sticks together in big groups and goes out, especially at night. We all decide on a certain place that we will go to at night so everyone can hang out, such as a restaurant, bar, or club. Sometimes, due to the size of the group, we'll take over a bar or rent one out. The fun part is also getting to know the locals and they sometimes become your friends and show you some really cool things, like this one hidden waterfall in the jungle that a native showed us. The trip, no matter where you go, will be amazing and you will be extremely thankful that you went.

Here are a few things to bring to make your trip a little better:

1. Bring snacks since you'll get hungry late at night, especially when you come back from port.
2. Bring a nalgene or a camel back.
3. Bring water shoes or sandals with back strap.
4. Bring a day backpack.
5. Make copies of passport and drivers license.
6. Bring iPod and digital camera (this is a must!!!).
7. Bring movie DVD's.