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14-year-old Kaeya Gautam’s amphibious life is the stuff of adventure books

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Like other kids her age, Kaeya has had many teachers, but she considers the ocean her ultimate guru. “She’s not just a passenger but a crew member, helping with navigation, preparing meals as a hobbyist chef, assisting in repairs, handling the sails, learning to read the wind, stars and water,” explains Vaidehi. Yet, Kaeya enjoys school just as much. She’s an avid reader, devouring everything from fiction and history to marine biology and autobiographies. “When she joins us, her luggage is mostly books. We even have a small library on board, and she often exchanges books with fellow sailors,” Gaurav chimes in.

Where full-time terrestrials only get to read about different cultures, the Gautams’ peripatetic lifestyle allows them to witness global traditions firsthand. Wherever they go, Kaeya picks up snatches of local dialects, dines with locals and chats with fishermen about their trade. “She even has a scorecard where she logs every animal she’s rescued—so far, she’s at eleven, including birds, cats, dogs, and recently, a baby monkey,” Gaurav smiles.

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