MV World Odyssey - David Mathre Photography

One-Year Ago (06-January-2016) — Pacific Ocean

Day 2 of 102. Semester at Sea, Spring 2016 Voyage. Crossing the Pacific Ocean from Mexico to Hawaii.

This was our first full day at sea. I woke at 05:30. Both the moon and Venus were visible before sunrise. The seas were calmer than during the night. I was not impacted, but I know some of the folks were sea-sick. Like my previous Semester at Sea voyages (six Enrichment, two Semester), I made it a goal to take pictures at dawn, sunrise, sunset, and dusk on as many days as possible. It did mean missing a lot of sleep, but there is something special about sunrise and sunset at sea. I hope you enjoy some of these images over the next 100+ days. The first day at sea was mainly orientation sessions, and time for those that have not been to sea before to get used to the motion on the ship. Classes started on the next day. Latter in the afternoon while walking around the ship, I found one of the students working on watercolor painting in the late afternoon sun.

Moon, Venus, and clouds over the Pacific Ocean at dawn from the deck of the MV World Odyssey. Semester at Sea, 2016 Spring Semester Voyage. Day 2 of 102. Image taken with a Leica T camera and 23 mm f/2 lens (ISO 1250, 23 mm, f/2, 1/80 sec). (David J Mathre)

Grace working on a watercolor painting in the late afternoon sun. Aft deck of the MV World Odyssey crossing the Pacific Ocean. Semester at Sea, 2016 Spring Semester Voyage. Day 2 of 102. Image taken with a Leica T camera and 23 mm f/2 lens (ISO 100, 23 mm, f/2, 1/80 sec). (David J Mathre)

Signed prints and digital downloads of images in the slideshow are available for purchase at my image gallery David Mathre Photography

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One-Year Ago (05-January-2016) — Mexico

Day 01 of 102. Semester at Sea, Spring 2016 Voyage. Ensenada, Mexico.

We rode a bus from San Diego, California to Ensenada, Mexico to board the M/V World Odyssey. Even though the ship had been docked in San Diego to disembark the Fall 2015 students, there is a federal law that prevents non-US registered ships from traveling between US ports. It was a grey and rainy day. We all had to get off the bus to go through immigration in Mexico. After arriving at the cruise terminal in Ensenada, went through the check-in where they made sure we had our passport and yellow-fever vaccination card. The luggage was all inspected for contraband, and finally we were allowed to board the ship. Once on the ship we got our room key, and then had several hours to investigate the public areas that would become home for the next 102 days. After everyone was onboard, we went through the first of several mandatory lifeboat/evacuation drills. Once that was completed, we departed for Hilo, Hawaii.

Troll family visiting the bronze statue on the forward deck of the MV World Odyssey at the cruise terminal in Ensenada, Mexico. (David J Mathre)

Mandatory lifeboat drill aboard the MV World Odyssey. The students, life long learners, faculty, and staff were required to repeat the drill once a month during the 102 day Spring 2016 voyage. Once the drill was completed, we were cleared to depart Encenada for Hilo, Hawaii. Image taken with a Nikon 1 V3 camera and 10-30 mm lens (ISO 200, 10 mm, f/3.5, 1/25 sec). (David J Mathre)

Signed prints and digital downloads of images in the slideshow are available for purchase at my image gallery David Mathre Photography

One-Year Ago (04-January-2016) — California

Day 0 of 102. Semester at Sea Spring 2016 Voyage. San Diego, California.

This was the first view that the Troll family had of the M/V World Odyssey. The new ship that Semester at Sea is using for its voyages. Beginning January 5th, 2016 this was my home along with many students, faculty, staff, families, and other Life Long Learners for the Spring 2016 Semester Voyage. The ship traveled around the world departing from Ensenada, Mexico; with stops in Hilo, Hawaii USA; Yokohama, Japan; Kobe, Japan; Shanghai, China; Hong Kong, China; Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam; Rangoon, Burma; Cochin, India; Port Louis, Mauritius; Cape Town, South Africa; Takoradi, Ghana; Tema, Accra, Ghana; Casablanca, Morocco; and ending in Southampton, England. Somehow during the voyage and field trips, I managed to take over 300K images — many in countries I never visited before. Stay tuned as I post images from each day of the voyage.

Troll family waiting to board the MV World Odyssey while it was docked at the cruise terminal San Diego, California. Unfortunately, they had to wait a day and take a bus to Ensenada, Mexico before they could board the ship and start the Semester at Sea, 2016 Spring Semester voyage. Composite of nine focus stacked images taken with a Nikon D810a camera and 60 mm f/2.8 macro lens (ISO 200, 60 mm, f/4, 1/25 sec). Helicon Focus used to process the images. (David J Mathre)

Signed prints and digital downloads of images in the slideshow are available for purchase at my image gallery David Mathre Photography

Five-Years Ago (14-May-2011) — Belize

Gone to See Central America and the Panama Canal. Semester at Sea Spring 2011 Enrichment Voyage on the MV Explorer. Ultimate Travel Photography Workshop II with Michael Mariant. Day 18: Belize.

Pair of Black Vultures in Flight in Belize. Image taken with a Nikon D3s and 70-300 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 300 mm, f/8, 1/1000 sec). There were a lot of dead fish (Tilapia?) in the pond attracting the vultures and other birds.

Black Vultures in Flight in Belize. Image taken with a Nikon D3s and 70-300 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 300 mm, f/8, 1/1000 sec). (David J Mathre)

Five -Years Ago (14-May-2011) — Gulf of Mexico

Gone to See Central America and the Panama Canal. Semester at Sea Spring 2011 Enrichment Voyage on the MV Explorer. Ultimate Travel Photography Workshop II with Michael Mariant. Day 18: Belize.

Solitary Small Island in the Gulf of Mexico off the Coast of Belize. Image taken with a Nikon D3s camera and 70-300 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 300 mm, f/5.6, 1/1000 sec). If you look close, there is a shelter. I’ve always wondered if someone lives there.

Solitary Small Island in the Gulf of Mexico off the Coast of Belize. Image taken with a Nikon D3s and 70-300 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 300 mm, f/5.6, 1/1000 sec). (David J Mathre) — Solitary Small Island in the Gulf of Mexico off the Coast of Belize. Image taken with a Nikon D3s camera and 70-300 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 300 mm, f/5.6, 1/1000 sec). (David J Mathre)