The last day of our Epic journey together! It is in many ways a day filled with mixed emotions, for it seems eons ago that we departed Ushuaia, at 54°48’S and 068°17’W, and that tomorrow we will sail into Funchal, Madeira at 32°43’N and 016°17’W, where our expedition will come to an end. Yes, it is nowhere near the 108° originally intended*, but none of us are particularly bothered with that for we have a tale or two to tell when we return home. We will have traveled 87°31’ of latitude and 52°00’of longitude, and covered a distance of approximately 6573.86 nautical miles by the time we sail into Funchal tomorrow. We have once again all witnessed expedition cruising at its very best these past 24 days; seabirds galore, thousands of dolphins, beaked whales, Sargassum. We also visited islands and cities with opportunities to meet their inhabitants and become a little more acquainted with some of their customs and culture.
It is important to mention that whilst most of us will disembark in Funchal, Madeira, there are a few of us who will continue with the ship all the way to Bremerhaven in Germany.
All the usual suspects are up and about and on the bridge to see the new day dawn. There are very few birds about, but as always, a lot of laughter, banter, and fun. The open bridge policy is a truly precious aspect to the long Lindblad tradition so many of us share. Just before breakfast we spot a lone Bulwer’s petrel, which brings joyous responses from everybody.
However after breakfast the situation changes and we sight many seabirds and dolphins. There are also two morning presentations: “Brexit” which is followed a little later with “Who discovered America.”
By midday we are in sight of the island of La Palma, one of the most westerly in the Canary Island Archipelago, and we are all able to get good views.
Most of us spend the afternoon packing and tidying up and in between times we head up onto the decks to drink in the delightful fresh sea breeze and reflect on all that we have experienced together. There are still a number of seabirds and dolphins about.
Our usual time of Recap is today replaced with our Captain’s Farewell cocktail party and during the early part we all enjoy watching the guest slideshow. As we watch many emotions are stirred up and one can hear laughter and other sounds as we reminisce together with the help of the beautiful shared images. A little later the captain addresses us and reminds us again of all that we have experienced on this journey. This is followed by our farewell dinner.
After dinner there is a presentation on “Whaling in Madeira” and is followed by some stargazing.
We retire to bed with a deep sense of gratitude for all that we have lived through together, for many new things learned, and for the privilege of seeing so many wondrous things along our sea route.
* As a final note it is worth mentioning that the latitude and longitude for Bremerhaven is: 53°33’N and 008°37’E and for the city of Hamburg: 53°35’N and 010°01’E, therefore all of us will in one means or another have completed our Epic 108° together. Well done indeed! Safe travels home and hoping that we will meet up again soon.
