As we left Antarctica, the day was kind to us. The waters of the Drake Passage were as calm as I have seen them. We sailed in calm seas with fog in the distance. We had a later morning and a brunch filled with every possible delicious delight awaited us sleepy travelers.

The bridge, which had been so active with all of us looking for whales and birds day after day, was now quiet. Conor Ryan and Eduardo Shaw still looked out the windows for wildlife as the watery world flowed by.

Presentations by Deb Goodwin on the geology of Antarctica and Jamie Coleman on seabird threats, their predators and diseases, gave us food for thought.

Teatime took a wonderful, unexpected turn of becoming a wine and cheese extravaganza.

We joined our new friends in conversation whenever we encountered them on stairways and in the lounge, or while returning boots to base camp or perusing the gift shop.

Outside the sun broke through the dim fog and produced a glowing, foggy bow.

Tomorrow is predicted to have the same calm seas as today. The Drake Passage is giving us a gentle reentry from the wilderness to the world of people, schedules, and planes.