As National Geographic Explorer moves ahead though a sea a bit choppy with small swells and with bright sunshine and warm temperatures, we experience another day of fine presentations before the hustle and bustle tomorrow of the first Zodiac landing, and the hiking and snorkeling at the renowned Fernando de Noronha. The bird buffs on the bridge at early morning, the exercise group stretching those sea legs, the hobbyists with needlepoint in the library and lounge, and everyone enjoying the buffet breakfast and lunch, tea at 4:00, snacks before Recap and fine dining in the evening provide a snapshot of at sea activity. We shall all be entertained by the lively vignettes of the naturalists at Recap and for movie buffs, there will be a showing of “Trumbo” this evening.
Roddy Bray started us off with another in his fine presentations on South Africa, this one with the title “The Bantu Migration.” The complicated history of peoples and race in that country continues. And we were given a demonstration and quick immersion into South African languages, including that “click” phenomenon. Click. Click.
Jim Kelley then gave the first of his workshops on navigation: Session 1: Charts. “No aspect of the sailor’s world is more mysterious to the landsman than the practice of navigation” (Carleton Mitchell). Jim unravels the mystery. Drat! Interrupted again by a major dolphin sighting, different species from yesterday, at least three according to Eduardo Shaw.
That other mystery to most of us, “El Niño,” in case you may have wondered what has happened to him, is made clear by Jim later in the day.
Of note to the landlubbers aboard is the mandatory yet much appreciated Zodiac and snorkeling briefing in the lounge in the p.m.
A personal note for many of us, staff and guests: the venerable Merle Haggard passed today. He was remembered in Recap. That is if “Merle” got the ship guitar tuned!
