NarniaFans on the Dawn Treader – Epilogue

There is so much to say about the adventures that we have had on the Dawn Treader (The Matthew of Bristol). So much that should be said, and so much that can never be said with words.

We had an incredible adventure that would not have been possible without the hard work of so many. I was privy to a lot of the behind-the-scenes talk throughout the week, and in that time I learned that this was the result of months of planning. In the end, no amount of planning could help stay the storms that altered the schedule so drastically for the first week of competitions. No amount of planning could help to foresee all of the difficulties with the tides that effected the time to get from place to place the week that we were there with the second group of contestants. What we did have, however, was a dedicated and highly motivated group of individuals from many places. Many that had never worked together before this event began! They hired local people to work on this project, which worked to the benefit of all on the voyage. They were truly helpful in knowing the local culture, and how to get from place to place.

Everyone that was working on the ship was hired based on a number of qualities. Many were even skilled in many areas from film-making to sailing and everything in between. But there was one quality that was sought after above all others: they must be genuinely nice people. And I can say without a doubt that everyone was top notch. Everybody worked together really well and everyone was more than willing to give you a hand when you needed help. It was as if we walked into a family reunion that happened to be on the ocean. There were so many different personalities, and people there for so many different reasons, but we all had a single goal: have fun. Safety was the top priority, because without that, we couldn’t have had all of the adventures that we did.

We were the few that got to sail on the Dawn Treader! This was an event that was once in a lifetime and we were all very pleased to be there. The personalities of all of the people meshed really well and this family that we had for a week became a group of comfort. When we saw each other in various cities and locations outside of the boat, we would wave to each other and smile, or stop for a quick chat. We had experienced something great together, that no one can take from us.

Here is a speech that I wrote the night before the last day of the journey. I had intended on reading it to everyone, but there simply wasn’t the time to do so. It is my hope that everyone that was on board for the week reads it here, though, as these words come from the heart:

We come now to the end of a great adventure. An adventure unlike any other. We can only hope that we have both positively influenced those that we’ve met and learned from one another as well. Hopefully we all leave this voyage better people than we were when we began. Now we are off in separate directions, having shared our lives with each other. I know that I am a better man for having met all of you and I hope that all of us look back on these memories fondly.

Every moment that we’ve spent together is part of the whole (the grand adventure of our lives), and even the quiet moments are as important as the exciting. It is in the quiet moments that we are allowed the freedom to slow down and take in just how blessed we are to be here at this moment. Thank you for making this a honeymoon to remember, but more than that: Thank you for making this the adventure of a lifetime. Remember, every moment is precious, live to the full and always strive to be better people.

It is a sentiment that I still have about the trip that we took, sharing a week of our lives together. To everyone that helped to make this an event to remember, the list of names is far too long, and I could write a long paragraph for each person individually, if not more: Thank you all. Truly.

I was going to make a montage of the video and pictures from the week, but that will have to wait a little while. We’re about to head out on another adventure, but will try to keep up with the Narnia news while we’re away. Hopefully we’ll have a chance to put together that video on our return.

Here are all of the articles in the series, for those of you that missed them:

NarniaFans in London #1: Only the Beginning of the Adventure…

NarniaFans in London #2: It’s actually Falmouth, Cornwall

NarniaFans on the Dawn Treader: Days 1 and 2

NarniaFans on the Dawn Treader: Day 3

NarniaFans on the Dawn Treader: Day 4

NarniaFans on the Dawn Treader: Day 5

NarniaFans on the Dawn Treader: Day 6