In the third part of his voyage on board the Oleander from the US to Bermuda, Royal Gazette reporter Tari Trott tells of his experiences – on his maiden voyage.

You can also watch the video report by visiting www.theroyalgazette.com

Gloom and doom went through my mind when it was confirmed that The Royal Gazette was going to fly me to New Jersey in order for me to sail back to Bermuda on the Oleander.

I say gloom and doom because my voyage on the cargo vessel Oleander, which started from Port Elizabeth last Thursday, was my first time out at sea — on any ship.

Prior to last Thursday, when word started to spread around the office that I was taking the trip, everyone I spoke to advised me to purchase "seasick pills" before going out to sea.

Of course, being the rather paranoid character that I am, I went straight to People's Pharmacy hours before my trip to stock up on boxes of whatever pills they sold combating motion sickness.

And, I have to admit, they appeared to have worked. With the exception of some occasional symptoms of motion sickness, I wasn't 'sick' at all.

Back to where it all started: last Thursday at Port Elizabeth New Jersey. After receiving a ride from the airport to the port, I was soon aboard Bermuda's lifeline to the world.

However, I foolishly underestimated how cold the weather would be in New Jersey; the temperature was around 45 degrees! Rather freezing for this Island boy.

Before my voyage on the Oleander, I had this impression that I would find myself sleeping in cramped quarters and uncomfortable conditions.

But I was dead wrong. I was given a spare cabin and, boy, was it very comfortable. I was surprised to see I had my own bathroom, couch, desk and a refrigerator.

Honestly speaking, my cabin felt like a hotel room — something you wouldn't normally expect from an 18-year-old cargo liner.

By this time, Friday afternoon, the cargo operations at the two berths in New Jersey have completed and the Oleander is being piloted out to the Atlantic, headed for the Island.

Some hour in the morning, out at sea, I awake in my cabin after being tranquilised by the seasick pills I had started taking.

I soon find my way up to the main TV room, where I find Bermudian Nicholas Maynard hanging out with Captain Marc Alberts, who are off duty and are watching a television program on the 42-inch flat screen TV.

I asked them about their adventures at sea and about their family time and I soon got the sense that a life at sea was more than just a 9-to-5 job as us land lovers are used to — for them it is a way of life, far more exciting than anything.

Then there was the food. Since I'm a vegetarian, before leaving Bermuda to embark on the trip, I feared that the food available onboard would be all meat.

So I ensured my suitcase was full of junk food: candy bars, crackers, peanuts, and of course, bottled water.

And my fears were spot on. No offence to the ship's cook, but he cooked meals containing all meat while I was onboard the Oleander.

The cook normally prepares breakfast, lunch and dinner for the Captain and crew in the ship's kitchen.

When I first went into the kitchen, very hungry, one look into the cook's pots, immediately sent me back to my cabin to start binge-eating my junk food — the cook was preparing a pork dish (my worse culinary nightmare).

It was quite an awkward moment when Nicholas came to speak to me in my cabin and was dismayed when he noticed two or three empty packages of Oreo cookies in my trash bin.

Now, we arrive to Saturday, as the Oleander is some 400 nautical miles from Bermuda.

This day saw the worst weather during the voyage; ten to 12ft waves, 35 knot winds, with the ship rocking violently.

It was hard for me to haul around my company video camera, tripod, photo camera, and the rest of my equipment.

At some moments, I was thrown around like a rag doll, until I held on to something.

Captain and crew were used to the rockiness. They had this acquired method of shifting their legs when the ship leaned the other way.

Having said that, as the adventurer I am, Captain Alberts and Nicholas looked at me strangely when I told them I wished I was onboard the ship during a category five hurricane.

Everyone who knows me knows that I love hurricanes. I guess I'm a 'hurricane hunter'.

I find hurricanes exciting. And whenever one strikes Bermuda, you can always find me out during the full blast documenting it with my video cameras.

Later, it's Sunday and we're approaching the Island. Overall, it was a voyage of a lifetime.