Fresh out of high school and already stepping well beyond her comfort zone, Bella Alexander recently took on the challenge of a 10-day voyage aboard the Spirit of Adventure – an experience that pushed her limits, built her confidence and left her with lifelong memories. The Chronicle caught up with Bella to hear all about it.
What stage of life are you at, Bella?
I have just finished high school and am taking a gap year. Currently, I’m working in hospo as a waitress at The Shack.
Tell us about why you decided to sign up for the Spirit of Adventure.
A couple of my friends had done it, and when I heard their stories – they sounded like they’d had such a blast – I knew it was something I wanted to do. I put off signing up for a while, as I’m not a big fan of heights and the thought of climbing to the top of the mast or jumping off the boat each morning sounded way out of my comfort zone. In the end though, it was this idea of facing my ‘fear of the unknown’ that I forced myself to apply.
How was the overall experience? Talk us through the itinerary and what was involved.
It was a 10-day voyage, starting from downtown Auckland, with our first night tucked in a bay at Waiheke Island. We learned the basics of sailing and got to know the ship before heading up to the Coromandel, out to Great Barrier Island, and back to Kawau Island.
We experienced everything from calm sunny days to howling winds and high seas. With 40 trainees and 10 crew members, it took everyone to sail the ship. I quickly made friends, and we worked as a team to face challenges together, which made stepping out of my comfort zone easier and left me with some amazing friendships.
Highlights included climbing to the top of the mast on a super windy day, sailing with dolphins, and just spending time with everyone on board. It was a mix of pushing myself, teamwork, and creating unforgettable memories.
On completion, how did you feel?
I felt a huge sense of accomplishment. It felt surreal to think about everything we’d done. I was excited to share the stories with my family and friends and am proud of myself for jumping in the deep end – literally!
What did you gain from the experience that you didn’t expect?
Learning to navigate such a wide range of personalities in confined and challenging environments led me to be more adaptable and open-minded when working with others in a team.
How will it benefit you moving forward with your pathway?
Sailing on the Spirit really helped give me the confidence to go for opportunities that I might have otherwise hesitated on, because the results are so rewarding.
What’s next for you in 2026?
I’ve just secured a job at Cardrona ski field down in Wanaka, working as a barista and cafe assistant. I really appreciate all the hospitality skills the team at The Shack have taught me over the years, and I feel like going on the Spirit of Adventure at this time has set me up to become more independent. Only by pushing myself out of my comfort zone can I realise what I’m truly capable of in life.
