For 18-year-old Victoria Howe of Napier calling to see some of the crew aboard the Spirit of New Zealand in Napier Port yesterday was a good move.
Back in June she realised a long-held ambition and dream and went for an adventurous and challenging 10-day voyage aboard the great three-masted sailing ship, and yesterday while visiting said she would love to go back to sea aboard it again.
Which is when one of the senior crew stepped forward and said "do you want to come out with us this afternoon - we're going out for a sail".
So it was straight home to get out of her Tamatea High School uniform and into some more practical deck gear.
"I'm going back aboard - yes!" the delighted Year 13 student said.
Victoria has always loved the sea and had been out on the waters of the bay several times, but aboard boats more designed for fishing. She had heard a lot about the Spirit of New Zealand voyages and had long wanted to be part of one. So the organisational wheels began to turn.
Two students from the school take voyages each year and through working with the Spirit of New Zealand Trust, and helping arrange the finances through the school and her parents, she gave it a shot - and got the nod.
The prospect of taking a voyage in the winter airs of June did not faze her and she stepped aboard in Auckland as one of the 40 trainees.
"We only had two rough days," she said. "When we were sailing out and when we came back in, but it was okay."
The voyage saw the young crew sail the waters around Great Barrier, Waiheke and Kawau Island in the Hauraki Gulf. She became part of one the four watches and carried out everything from ropework and navigation lessons through to washing the decks, cleaning the galley and helping prepare the food.
She said she had to look twice when she saw the close-set bunks, but said they did so much during the day sleep always came easily.
"I never thought I'd experience so much adrenalin - we were all so amped up by what we were doing."
She saw large pods of dolphins alongside the ship and like the rest of the crew was delighted to be treated to the sight of two large whales surging by at one stage.
One of the highlights was going ashore at an isolated beach using inflatable boats.
"We all got soaking wet and there was so much laughter."
Then there were the regular morning dips - at 6am after being woken the trainees would jump into the water, swim a few metres alongside and clamber back aboard again.
"That woke you up," she laughed.
On the final day of the voyage they took part in the trainee day, where they effectively determined how the ship was run.
It was an experience she said she would never forget and has ambitions to one day return aboard the Spirit as one of the leading hands.
She said any young people seeking adventure and the opportunity to test themselves, as well as relish working as a team, should "go for it".