As we approach the end of our voyage a relaxing day at sea provided our guests with the perfect opportunity to reflect on what has been an incredible, adventure-filled expedition. Beautiful clear skies and flat calm seas accompanied us as we sailed back towards mainland Chile from the wonderful Juan Fernandez archipelago. The conditions were perfect for spending time on the bow watching for wildlife or just reading in the sun. A few whale blows were seen in the distance, and even some breaching humpbacks, although none lingered around long enough for us to approach. We also witnessed plenty of seabirds including the wandering albatross, which boasts the largest wingspan of any bird in the world.
For those staying out of the sun, National Geographic photographer Krista Rossow and naturalist Jim Kelley gave talks on how to improve your travel photography, and the phenomenon of El Niño, respectively. Many guests would also take the opportunity today to edit their photographs, work on their crocheting, or finish off postcards.
We had more sporadic whale sightings in the afternoon, this time from small groups of sei whales, which provided some great viewing from the bridge. However, today was the day that broke up an otherwise packed itinerary and allowed our guest the time to relax and really appreciate the comfort of sailing on National Geographic Explorer. We have travelled an incredible distance, and seen some remarkable places during this expedition, and tomorrow promises to be another unforgettable day exploring the Pacific coast of South America.
