This morning, we had a nice sleep-in as the ship ventured north up to Com, East Timor, under gentle sea conditions. Most of us were up and about, some enjoying the sunrise, others hitting the gym or joining Kim for morning stretches.
At 0900 our Expedition Leader Adam Cropp woke us with the beautiful song “What a Wonderful World” played over the intercom and gave us an update on our position and the weather. Breakfast was served in the Outdoor Café where we had a chance to get to know fellow travelers before our mandatory Safety and Zodiac briefing. Adam gave us useful information about traveling in the Kimberley, a hot and remote country infested by crocodiles. Then we worked through the Zodiac safety procedures and received an overview of our voyage and the optional tours offered.
At 1100, our National Geographic photographer Susan Seubert gave a talk on the importance of storytelling through the medium of photography. She gave great tips on how to improve our visual storytelling and how photography has changed the world. Afterward we enjoyed a delicious lunch prepared by our lovely galley staff.
At 1430, photo instructor David Cothran invited us into the lounge for a presentation on digital photography, followed by an interactive workshop session with the rest of the photo team. After a relaxing afternoon spent shopping in the Global Gallery or reading a book in the library, naturalist Brent Stephenson gave a lively talk on the bird life we could expect to see in the Kimberley.
In the early evening, during cocktail hour in the lounge, the ship reached its most northerly point in Com, East Timor, where we made a technical stop. Zodiacs were lowered for guests who wished to shop for local handicrafts in Com while the expedition staff paid a visit to the customs office.
After dinner in the restaurant, we gathered in the lounge to view the ABC documentary “The Big Wet,” which gave us some insight into how the wet season affects the Top End of Australia and its environment. It was a great first day at sea in which we learned a lot, relaxed a lot, and ate a lot before being rocked to sleep by the Timor Sea.
