Today was a mellow, easy day to reflect on our long trip and to begin to prepare for our last days aboard. The skies were beautiful and clear and the sea was a slightly darker blue than we experienced in the tropics. Our spotters on the bridge reported sightings of black-browed albatrosses and a few Magellanic penguins, both producing much excitement. We had a bit of a headwind, which gave us ample opportunity for photographing the sea and its whitecaps. Above and beyond this, it was a relaxing day and we enjoyed a bit of rest.
This being our last day for onboard presentations, we had several very interesting topics covered. The morning began with a talk by Tom Ritchie about the Pampas, or the South American grassland. We are expecting to see this tomorrow when we explore the region outside of Montevideo. Our next presentation was by National Geographic photographer Tyrone Turner, showing the beautiful photographic work he did along and around the coast of his home state, Louisiana. After lunch, David Barnes introduced us to the history of Uruguay and Argentina, as a precursor to our next few days of exploration. Lastly, President César Gaviria spoke about a New Policy on Drugs, dealing with his work on the Global Commission for Drug Policy.
Since we had an easier day today, many of us also took time to pack our belongings and to begin preparations for the journey home. Although the voyage is not yet over, we celebrated at our Farewell Reception this evening, complete with cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and parting words by EL Bud and Captain Oliver. We have a busy day tomorrow, so having one more day at sea has been a lovely way to pass the time, as we continue our journey into more southerly waters.
