Sunshine over calm seas began our last day aboard National Geographic Orion. She has become home. We have grown accustomed to our days being filled with adventures among penguins and icebergs. Today the albatross circle our ship. Black-browed and gray-headed albatross use the winds we create to help their dynamic soaring.

Our undersea specialists, Justin and Erin gave a presentation titled, “I can’t Feel My Hands.” We had the opportunity to see and feel the gear used for diving in these frigid seas.

Rich Kirchner gave a presentation on living and working in Antarctica. While we have journeyed across snow and ice, not many of us have actually lived on it. His photos and stories gave rise to questions and a deeper understanding of what happens on the great white continent.

The seas were so quiet that we had a marvelous barbeque while headed to Cape Horn! Instead of waves tossing us about, we donned our parkas and had lunch on the back deck.

Then we saw land. The islands and high “horn” of Cape Horn came into focus. Our Ice Captain, Piers Alvarez, told of the many wooden ships lost along these treacherous waterways. He explained the prestige one received after successfully “rounding the Horn” in old whaling vessels of the 1800’s. Then, as the silhouette of the albatross sculpture, which stands on the crest of a hill, came into view, he recited the verse in Spanish that gives tribute to those who never made it past the “Horn.”

In English it reads:

“I am the albatross that waits for you at the end of the earth.

I am the forgotten soul of the dead sailors who crossed Cape Horn from all the seas of the world.

But they did not die in the furious waves.

Today they fly in my wings to eternity in the last trough of the Antarctic wind.”

Our National Geographic photographer, Ralph Lee Hopkins, gave a talk about using photography in our lives. His passion for the places he travels was inspiring, as is the work that he donates to promote sustainable practices in tourism.

Once again, and maybe for the last time, we put on our parkas. This time it was for a parka party on the back deck with ice cream sundaes and music and some very large penguins serving us.

Our hotel manager Tracey presented a behind-the-scenes video tour of National Geographic Orion. Then it was time for Captain’s Farewell Cocktail Party, dinner, and a special viewing of the photos we all submitted to our very own slide program of our trip.

Packing is such sweet sorrow after a most amazing trip.