Leaving “Home”--It’s hard to say goodbye.

The Nile Treasure was my last land extension.

Returning to our Ocean Explorer “home,” we found a subtle change in atmosphere.  People were beginning to think of leaving home, starting to prepare for packing and parting from newfound friends and a place for which many had grown fond.

The final days aboard our home were hectic, harried--and nostalgic.  Suddenly, as each activity ended for the final time, we began to say goodbye to newfound friends and to acquaintances we had not had time to yet cultivate as friends.  Ballroom dance class was especially sad; we had met every single sea day for 4 ½ months and together had gained many danced skills together.  Others were equally poignant experiences.

The final faculty lectures brought standing ovations and a final music and dance evening attracted more people than ever to gather and sit and chat and laugh over our experiences both positive and negative.

Then, the misery of packing our belongings over, finally it was time to depart.  We hugged, exchanged addresses, quietly talked together a final time, tried to ignore surreptitious tears, and promised to exchange e-mail thoughts when we got home. 

We had indeed grown into a family, albeit a giant and fragmented one of many overlapping circles of friendship.  Some of us clearly lingered as long as we could, rephrasing our fondness for each other and recalling funny or poignant incidents, good times, memorable moments of laughter or unhappiness we had shared.

Our last view as a group was at the Athens airport and again at JFK, and some of us hugged a final time.

For a few, however, there will be reunions and hugs in the future.  The very best of my friends have already booked passage for the second voyage, the third—or both.

And I intend to rejoin them!  I plan to sail on the third voyage, the Northern Exposures expedition.   Then I will be able to say I’ve been in the Antarctic and the Arctic in one year.

 I can hardly wait!

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