"I'm on my way to a preparatory meeting for COP35 at the UN in New York on a climate-neutral sailing boat. Greta Thunberg sailed across the Atlantic in 2019 on a regatta boat skippered by Boris Herrmann, and since seeing her on that trip, she has really inspired me to do the same. I think she has changed my perspective on the importance of carbon neutral travel, I think it's incredible. A friend of mine who is quite an experienced sailor told me that these racing boats are rock hard carbon boxes. Anyone who doesn't get seasick must also be used to this type of sailing to endure such a long distance on such a boat. I think that put me off a bit, and after doing some more research, I realized how much organization would be needed to make this happen. There was a moment when I considered abandoning the trip and taking a flight, until I came across Save Planet Liners. What they do is really incredible when you think about it.

I was afraid of getting seasick, but so far, so good! The last five days on board have been so comfortable. Maybe even comfier than the office? Don’t tell my boss. Since I booked the business data package, I can work as if I were in a co-working space in Hamburg, at home or in the F4F office. The cafés, the bars and the bistro all have power supply and connection. When I need a quieter space, I go to the library. I met Helena, a young actress from Germany, who’s learning lines for a play in New York, that begins in a fortnight. We take turns using the booth. She’s going to be brilliant, I. I can’t want to see it.

We got to know each other through the SPL app. For people travelling alone, there is the option to connect with others who are also looking to share a cabin. You post some information about yourself on the platform and arrange a chat or meet for a video call. To use this feature of the SPL app, you have to have a cabin ticket. Helena and I got on like a house on fire. I feel so lucky to have met her, together we really managed to find a community on the ship. Our first call lasted two hours, and we covered everything from music tastes to helping her decide what she’s going to wear for the press night of her show. I’m lending her one of my dresses in exchange for a ticket to come see her show! Think I got a good deal there, it looks like an amazing project. We try and find time to talk every day, and she’s really interested to hear about my meetings. I’m starting to help her along her journey of learning more about the climate crisis, and the community I’ve found through my activism. Yesterday Helena called me that she didn't feel like learning any more lines. The decision was made immediately. Spa day. Helena managed to book a massage for both of us. Best day ever, honestly.

Today, we’ve planned to go to the captain's lecture at 5pm on the creation of Save Planet Liners, the ship, and the topic of sustainability at sea. I feel like for me, this meeting is a really huge part of my activism journey. I feel so proud to be part of this community, on the ship, and following in Greta’s footsteps. Feels quite emotional, actually. Proper full circle moment. Then afterwards, we're going out for dinner with two guys we met a couple of days earlier, and then there's a gig, four jazz musicians who met onboard, and got on so well they started a band? So cool.

My conclusion about this trip: It was an incredible experience. I made friends, ate delicious food, and I think what I remember most was the community that was created on board. It made me realize again the beauty of humanity. I think I feel really hopeful. Hope that we can change things, that we have the power to do so by going on trips like this and meeting with people and having real conversations. The program is brilliant, the cocktails are expensive but worth every penny, and Captain Vincent is really, um, yeah, he's really attractive, sorry, probably shouldn't say this here, but um, we're friends now, but yeah, he's gorgeous! Anyway, the whole trip has been a really nice experience so far. Helena and I's cabin feels like our own space. I mean, it feels like we're practically sisters now, with all these conversations. I'm just so touched by how beautiful this experience was. I'll talk about this trip forever, I think it's so important for people like me who do what I do. It's a real turning point."