27th November 2008
Our last day on board the Ushuaia was blessed with beautiful sunshine and calm seas as we cruised slowly into the Beagle Channel. There was a lot to do today and of course the Captains dinner, our last big meal attended by Jorge the master of the Vessel. But first packing time to ensure most was ready before the afternoons proceedings began. Our shipping gear was down stairs, mine packed to the brim to allow for my ryanair flight on the last leg in a few days.
The students, Rachel, Sinead, Michael, Dominic, Dylan, Gavin, Robert and Shane led the way with great confidence and presented their various projects from water testing & temperatures to understanding of the IAATO agreement and more. The staff and crew were also an important part in the collection of data and techniques in It was great to see them interact with each other in many ways over the last few weeks and it showed their was a bond between them that had grown stronger. Hats off to everyone involved in helping them especially their science mentors Steven, Joanne and Carol headed up by Sandra. And of course Dave, Phil, Anne, Katy, Fergus and Pat for being their in the background providing support, leadership and team-building.
This was followed by an airing of the SG traverse footage in the lounge on the Plasma screen which I had edited over the last couple of days. I must say it was quite a moment to see the complete story over 9 minutes with music and I think everyone enjoyed it including the rest of the gang who may not have been able to understand the experience. It can be emotional to see how a few days of tough mountaineering can have an impact on a group of people who have been training together for over a year. To all the traverse team, its been a pleasure to be your friends and I hope you will take these as fond memories with you forever.
Agustin, Berenice, Dany & Lucy with the Captain and Monika invited us down stairs to the larger lecture room for their final blessing and to show the DVD for us to take home which included ships logs, wildlife sightings and much more finished by a slideshow covering our experience on our 18 day expedition. Everyone was in a buzz with laughs and applause going through the 20 minutes or so as we were taken on a photo journey of people, places, wildlife, training & humour.
Later that evening we all met in the lounge before dinner, the men in our leine’s and the ladies in their guna’s for a celebration toast. We made our way to the Dining hall and enjoyed a fabulous spread with mussels, pork, wine and something for desert that has slipped my mind but it was good. The night was only begining for most and the party went on in to the wee hours, some still up as we docked in Ushuaia.
I think this is probably the best time to congratulate all on board the ship from below deck to the crew up on the bridge, and especially the staff we were close to every day, it was a great experience once again with you all seeing past friends and meeting new ones, Salut!
