Friday 28 February 2022
I think there was still some of the adrenalin from “Albatross Thursday” in my body, because I was up very early on Friday. The sunrise was quite spectacular.
I stood on the deck for a until the sunrise show was over, but then decided to go back to bed for a while. When I got up I went to the gym for a short run. The ocean was somewhat rougher than the day before, and it was an adventure keeping my balance on the treadmill!
Some of the viewing decks were still closed. I had a late breakfast with some friends. The weather changed again quite quickly, and just as I was about to go outside it started raining, and I decided to stay where I was and have waffles.
The birds were quiet after the excitement from the previous day. I left my camera in the cabin for most of the day and just enjoyed the fresh air on the deck and listening to one of my favourite guides on the ship.
While we were standing on the stern, a Wandering Albatross flew up to the ship and just hung there as if he was tied to the ship like a kite. The cheers that went up from all the decks at this incredible display could probably have been heard for miles. Even though I did not have my camera with me it was one of the stand out moments of the trip.
Later in the afternoon more Wandering Albatrosses showed up and that was a good enough reason form me to fetch my camera.
The ocean was still very rough. But it was not the worst thing, as it was probably good that we could experience the stormy side of the Southern Ocean.
The Albatrosses did not seem to mind.
A few White-chinned Petrels were following the ship.
We saw a young Wandering Albatross. I do love these chocolate birds.
The light was fading, and photography was becoming a challenge, but I just loved this view of the Wandering Albatross against the stormy ocean.
There was also an Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross.
The young Wandering Albatross looked just as great as the adult against the moody Southern Ocean.
I loved the colours of the birds against the light blue water caused by the wake of the ship.
Wandering Albatrosses of all ages continued to follow the ship.
I loved how these great birds could glide so close to the restless waves without a problem.
The Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross and Wandering Albatross seemed quite happy to keep each other company.
The sun broke through the clouds briefly.
When the weather turned again I went to sit in the cafeteria to watch the ocean go by. All of the sudden there was lots of excitement when it became known that there may be a Tristan Albatross of the stern. I will never forget the 3 guys running around like cartoon characters trying to figure out which way they had to go to get to the stern! Sadly I did not see this bird.
It was the one afternoon that I did not feel 100%. I decided to skip dinner and have an early evening. But I had to have one moment with my favourite bird first.
Saturday 29 January 2022
I decided to sleep in a little. I was lying in bed trying to convince myself to get up when announcement came over the intercom that another Tristan Albatross was off the stern! If I needed a sign that it was time to get up, this was it! I was out of bed in a flash. I was so happy that our cabin was right on the stern. As I walked out onto the deck I saw the bird.
Later I looked on the map where these birds normally breed. If I was not yet in awe of these magnificent creatures by now, this would have done it. He was thousands of kilometers away from his breeding ground. 
The bird hung around for a little while later before wandering off.
The rest of the morning was fairly quiet as far as birding was concerned. But just after lunch a couple of Wanderers showed up. I love them so much.
I found a seat on one of the decks at the stern of the ship and started chatting to a fellow traveler. We decided to have something to drink. It was rather nice to just sit a bit and relax after all the birding of the previous days.
Another Wandering Albatross wandered past. As did a Yellow-nosed Albatross.
When the Albatrosses disappeared, a pair of White-chinned Petrels decided it was their turn to follow the ship and they did so for a long time.
The birding day ended with this gorgeous creature.
But the day was not quite at an end yet. because the sunset still had to happen, and it was the most magnificent one yet.
As I stood on the deck looking at the sunset I was extremely grateful that I had come on this trip. It had been so incredible, and I had seen the most amazing birds.
Sunday 30 January 2022
I think the sunrise may have been jealous of the sunset the previous evening, and decided to see if it could do one better.
It was our second last morning, and the sunrise was truly special.
We were back in Southern African waters this morning. The birds were very quiet, and we mostly saw Great-winged Petrels.
One of our first sightings of the morning was some Beaked Whales.
A little while later we saw more Beaked Whales in the distance. These seemed to be a different species than the ones we saw earlier. 
It seemed as if the mammals wanted to make up for the lack of birds. Because not long after the Beaked Whales a pod of Striped Dolphins appeared. And we were treated to the most spectacular show!.
The length of some of their jumps was simply mind-blowing.
When you look up the words “exuberant”, “joyful”, “happiness”, “free” and “alive” in the dictionary, you will find photos of these marvelous creatures next to those words. It was such fun to watch.
And still the mammal sightings continued with more Beaked Whales. 
I went to stand on the bow for a while before lunch.
There was a flock of Great-winged Petrels floating on the ocean.
The weather was by far the warmest it had been since we left Cape Town. Lots of people were enjoying the swimming pools. I went to change into some shorts and had a drink on the 13th deck by the pools.
Later in the afternoon I went to the viewing deck on the bow again. There were more Great-winged Petrels.
At one stage I heard the strangest sound, and when I looked to the side of the ship it was a whole “flock” of Flying Fish! There could easily have been a hundred. It was one of the coolest things I’d ever seen!
And then my new favourite bird came to say goodbye. 
I thought it was the perfect end to the trip.
As I went to dinner that evening I was quite sad that this amazing experience was coming to an end.
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