On our final day of the expedition at sea, we look back on our now treasured memories and experiences to be so close and contact with the ‘person in the forest’ that shares 97% of our DNA. Who could forget the journey to see Tom, the dominant male and other orang-utans sharing food in feeding platform in Camp Leakey and the bonus of groups of proboscis monkey, long-tailed macaques, birds and firefly along Sekonyer river.
Enhancing our global perspective, Lawrence Blair presented the ‘Adventures in Eastern Seas,’ his journey to the Asmat’s village and Rockefeller disappearance. The Asmat people, who lived in swamp forest, and were known as the best head-hunters in Papua region. As the ship cruises through calm seas at a brisk thirteen knots, the weather only improves and Captain Mike invited anyone procrastinating from packing to visit the Bridge for an in depth tour and to discuss the nuances of navigating this particular corner of the world.
Ice cream sundaes, exchanging contact information with new friends and the personal signing of orang-utan adoption papers by Dr. Galdikas all fill the afternoon before it is time for the guest slideshow and Captain’s Farewell Cocktail Party that ended with some choice words from Captain Mike Taylor himself inspiring us all to “travel as much as you can do and go as far as you can” as that is the surest way to live a full and adventurous life. The last night is always one that we want to slow down (or rewind!) the clock if possible, knowing that tomorrow we will say goodbye and end our adventure. We are appreciative of his leadership and crew in bringing us so far over the last ten days.
