There’s an almost magical quality to an expedition that’s hard to understand until you experience it for yourself. The mere activity of being “at sea” on a ship going somewhere, anywhere, transports you into a hypnotic state of relaxation. Looking out at the waves from a perch on deck, or in the Observation Lounge, becomes a meditation where your thoughts ebb and flow with the waves.
Today, there’s a blend of excitement and anticipation that we all share on board the National Geographic Orion as we sail back across the Timor Sea to Australia. The early risers among us were greeted by a colorful sunrise, with shafts of golden light radiating from tropical cumulus clouds hovering over the distant horizon. Meanwhile, flying fish continue to glide ahead of the ship as she slices through the waves.
Making good time, a series of presentations introduce us to the natural and human history of the area. In the morning, Captain Vincent Taillard hosted tours of the Navigation Bridge, explaining the high-tech equipment that enables the National Geographic Orion to circle the globe exploring both tropical and polar waters. National Geographic filmmaker David Wright followed with a screening of his documentary “Rainbow Serpent,” a film that brings to light the snakes of Aboriginal legends. During the afternoon, naturalist Anthony Copogreco recounted the tales of the World War II incident involving the S.S. Koolama along the Kimberly coast.
The day is capped off with the Captain’s Cocktail Reception and Dinner, followed by another lively performance by the one-and-only Glenn O’Neill. Indeed, a good time was had by all!
