The last day of an extraordinary voyage such as this has been is always filled with mixed emotions. Guests are packing their bags to fly onwards from Ushuaia, despite a rolling sea for the morning. Paul Carter gave us our disembarkation briefing, between lectures by Jason Hicks and myself.
The A&K pennant (flag) off the bow of Le Lyrial was auctioned and fetched a staggering 6500 Euros for the Crew Welfare Fund, whilst raffles independently raised 3500 Euros apiece for Crew Welfare and Save the Albatross funds. Both very worthy causes indeed.
JD Massyn then presented a Visual Memoir of our journey, with photographs assembled from all on the Expedition Team. It is a special visual memento of this magnificent journey together.
The Pilot boarded at 3.40pm, and by 7.30pm Le Lyrial was alongside the quay in Ushuaia. Many guests chose to go into this unique frontier-type town at the end of the world – some to shop, others to eat or simply have a drink at one of the friendly bars.
One senses that many are somewhat unsure about their return to “civilisation” and the real world. Le Lyrial has provided us with a unique coccoon for our journey south of the Antarctic Circle, and what a journey it has been.
Plan A worked out beautifully on every occasion, and there is no doubting that the little white voices will keep calling us back…
