We enjoyed a very pleasant day at sea as we continued westward towards our next port-o-call…Stanley. Although there was wind in our faces all day long, there were few whitecaps and only smallish waves with which to deal.  In fact, much of that wind in our faces was generated by our fast speed of nearly 14 knots.  The skies changed constantly throughout the day, as we sometimes had clear, blue skies, sometimes complete cloud cover, and in the late afternoon and into the evening we encountered thin fog (complete with a fog bow as the sun set directly in front of us).

Only a few birds seemed interested in our vessel as we steamed along, but those of us who spent time on the aft deck did manage to see some interesting petrels and albatrosses crossing our substantial wake and prop wash that was left behind. It was actually quite mesmerizing…not unlike staring into a camp fire or watching waves break upon a beach or staring at fish in an aquarium or watching a Filipino candle dance or, well, you know what I mean.  One’s mind tends to wander at such times and it brings about deep thoughts and one doesn’t feel like the time is wasted just staring at such movement.  It’s kind of like what’s going on in my mind right now as I contemplate the experience and try to put it into words.  Sorry, where was I…?

This was a good day to catch up on examinations of our accruing masses of photographs and attend the various lectures put on for our entertainment and edification between the usual excellent meals.  We discussed the incredible worldwide appeal of the amazing photography exhibited by the National Geographic Society’s magazine, as explained by our own National Geographic photographer Massimo.  Our undersea specialist Erin gave an interesting explanation about the strategies and techniques used by marine mammals to survive in the inhospitable environment of the deep ocean.  Great, now we’re not only jealous of albatrosses enjoying dynamic soaring over the waves, but now most of us are also jealous of the whales who can hold their breaths for more than two hours and dive nearly two miles below the surface without any ill effects.  I gave a two-part introduction to the Falkland Islands, or Islas Malvinas if you prefer, that was broken up midway by Afternoon Tea.  And, in the late afternoon, Buzz, our HAM radio enthusiast gave lessons on Morse Code in the Observation Lounge.  

However, without any question, the biggest draw of the day was the National Geographic Orion Crew Show held in the Main Lounge after dinner.  It’s always fun to let our talented crew members take center stage for a change.  And what a talented bunch they are.  We enjoyed presentations of musical numbers, singing, and dancing.  There was a lot of group clapping and singing along to the well-known songs by the audience, as well as lots of laughs and amazement of the beauty of the Filipino candle dance (which included one stand-in Scottish undersea specialist).  See Figures B and C.  All in all, it was a pretty amazing day for simply a “Day at Sea.”