Barbecue

Today is supposed to be the day when we will make the decision on how to tackle the approaching storm. Everyone is eagerly awaiting our qPCR results of today's run.
We had a brief meeting yesterday afternoon, discussing our options, and either way we are forced to pick a long duration station (LD) in Fiji waters. Next up is Tonga and out of some reason unknown to me, they have demanded to have an observer on board, which responsible personnel on board politely declined. After some debate we were finally allowed to only operate for 24 hours in Tonga waters meaning no LD even though initial satellite imagery looks awesome.
So on the matter of the cyclone, we are strongly leaning towards heading for Suva bay (Fiji), however the captain was skeptical to whether we would be given permission to enter the bay or not since port cities are usually reluctant to allow too many vessels to gather during a storm. I suppose it is due to the consequences of any ship sinking, but as one person in the meeting put it: "we're not a tanker, they wouldn't even be bothered if we sank". Happy thoughts please, happy thoughts.
Hopefully, the only Fijian we have an board will be able to pull some strings, or things might just change once, twice or thrice before we're done with this whole thing...

Barbecue on front deck was an awesome social event last night. I just wished we could have picked a calmer day. With a storm approaching we have already felt the wind and the waves picking up, but between the occasional sea spray from waves breaking on the side of the ship's hull, it was enjoyable. Drinks were free (beer, wine and coke) and what little food I managed to prepare at the dimly lit grill, rocking back and forth, was good.
After tirelessly battling to make ourselves heard in the howling wind, everyone headed inside, but not until all drinks were out.
The evening continued at the electricians workshop, who invited everyone to a party. They had cleared everything out, making the room barely big enough for everyone to fit and still have some room for dancing. They music roared painfully out of the poor speakers, playing some French music mixed with old classics and newer pop. It was terrible...
I'll let you in on a secret; scientists look just as nerdy, when dancing as with anything else, but at least it is fun.
I happily witnessed the spectacle, some of my friends on board really loosening up, which made it even more fun. I had my regular three beers and then water and coke for the rest of the evening, up until the abrupt end when the speakers blew.
Someone got to clean our bottles before sampling tomorrow morning, and I would not miss my choco-pops breakfast at 07.00 for anything.