Our day at sea was a chance to reflect on our incredible voyage through Malaysia, Borneo, and Indonesia. The last two days had been an action packed adventure, and for many it was the highlight of the trip – getting to see orangutans in the wild, up close and personal. And then to visit the OFI Orangutan Care Center and Quarantine (OCCQ) facility and REALLY get up close and personal with both the babies and the juveniles was the fulfillment of dreams.
And so today was a change of pace, and an opportunity to reflect on our journey and wonder at what the world might be without people like Dr. Biruté Mary Galdikas, people with passion, with the drive to make the world a better place for its wild creatures, and in the end for humanity. I think there will be many going home with a greater appreciation for the wild places on this planet, and the perils they face. But more importantly, going home with a changed perspective that good things can happen, and that part of this is educating friends and family about the things we have seen and the ways in which we can help.
And our education was not complete, as today we had a series of presentations from the naturalists and staff onboard. Christiana Damiano discussed the life and times of Alfred Russel Wallace, a man before his time, and a contemporary of Charles Darwin, who spent many years studying the fauna of this region. Many of the things he discovered have been instrumental in forging our knowledge of natural selection and island biogeography, and of course the magical Wallace’s Line is undoubtedly what he is most famous for. It’s a line between Borneo and Sulawesi that differentiates the fauna found to the west – all of which was once connected to the Asian landmass as sea levels have risen and fallen, from the East where the islands of ‘Wallacea’ have always been islands isolated and forming centres of endemism.
Later I gave a fun look at birding and birders, why people would bother, what you need to get started and some of the tips and tricks. Perhaps many birders are just seeking a connection with wild places in our hectic and often urban-based lives?
Following lunch we were able to provide images for the end of voyage slideshow, chat with the photo instructors and naturalists, and have our orangutan adoption certificates signed by Dr. Galdikas. And then a chance to travel the world with National Geographic photographer extraordinaire, Ralph Lee Hopkins. He inspired us all with his incredible images taken around the world during expeditions he has undertaken with many of us – stirring us to venture further and farther. So many places and experiences still to come.
And before we knew it the day had almost passed and the sun was setting behind us, and we made our way south towards Bali. Captain Brian Larcombe hosted us at his Farewell Cocktail Party as we watched some of the excellent images captured by our fellow travelers during this voyage.
