The Royal Gazette's Education Services coordinator Jennifer Hind stepped away from creature comforts on Monday and into an eight-day journey to Charleston, South Carolina on the tall ship Europa.

"My ancestors were Saltus so I come from a long line of seafarers," said Mrs. Hind, in an interview before she left. "I'm looking forward to that emotional satisfaction of sailing in my ancestors' wake, that sense of tradition.

"I love history, and it's a cool holiday even though you're working. I'll probably be scrubbing the galley, or peeling potatoes."

Mrs. Hind has sailed on Tall Ships before. In 1981, she joined the crew of the full-rigged ship Sorlandet for a trip from Bermuda to Boston, and then on to Halifax.

It was a trip that formed long-lasting friendships, so when Tall Ships returned, she wanted to be a part of it although she didn't originally intend to join the crew.

"This year I helped to develop World News Share, a classroom exchange programme between Bermuda and Charleston schools," she said. "Originally my idea was to have the students in the programme from the two countries to sail together on the same ship. That didn't work out. I was pushing for them to do it, but it didn't fly, so I did it with my husband."

Her husband Ian worked as a liaison officer for the Arethusa during the 2000 Tall Ships race.

"We believed this would be a great experience. Too good not to share a couple," said the 50-year-old. "To be faithful to the historical aspect, we should by rights be sailing on Spirit of Bermuda, but sleek as Spirit is, we felt older bones might be happier on a larger, more commodious ship."

The ship Mrs. Hind will be sailing on, the Netherlands-based Europa, was not involved with the previous leg of the race, but instead was sailing up from the southern hemisphere to join the race in Bermuda.

The ship has a professional crew of 14, and carries as many as 48 trainees at a time.

"If the captain and the crew take the race seriously we'll get to Charleston in eight days," said Mrs. Hind.

Mrs. Hind signed herself and her husband for the trip in January. It's since turned into a family holiday, even if there's a lot of work involved.

"When you go on holiday, you go for the sunshine and to be close to the water," she said. "The only thing I won't have is room service. Peeling potatoes isn't fun, but it's a part of the experience. I like learning how people lived in those days. It's not the best part, but it's a part of the experience."

Sunday was the first night spent on the ship.

"I'm excited, but not nervous. It'll be interesting bunking again," said Mrs. Hind. "You cope, but bunking as a 20-year-old and bunking as a 50-year-old is different.

"It might be good for my soul to give up some creature comforts. And it's a good way to celebrate Bermuda's birthday."