With a quick touch and go at Com, East Timor, last night in record time, the National Geographic Orion turns around and heads for Wyndham, nestled in east Kimberley’s Cambridge Gulf. But that isn’t until we round the eastern corner of East Timor where we run into some wind against tide and the waves stand up to let us know we are sailing upon the ocean and test those sea legs.
As the day dawns, however, we settle into a steady motion as the National Geographic Orion takes on the beam sea with ease. Even though the naturalists are not able to be out on zodiacs that does not stop us providing information on some of the outstanding offerings the Kimberley coast has ahead.
We are kept busy with presentations introducing the Kimberley, on the confounding and intriguing art of the Bradshaw figures we will be viewing and an insight into Aboriginal social organisation, land management and resource use and medicine.
It’s standing room only on the bridge as Captain Taillard takes time out to explain how such a modern ship is equipped to operate into the hazardous locations that are inherent to the expeditions it undertakes along with aspects of our own voyage until now.
All the while outside the wind blows at a steady 20 knots from the east, white-caps abound and the National Geographic Orion continues to slip through the swell. Winds at this time of year tend to come from the east or south east as the southern band of high pressure systems are able to move up into lower northerly latitudes. When a high pressure system gets up around 1025 hectopascals, winds can pick up in the Timor and Arafura Seas.
Come the afternoon we are ready for a bit of cerebral relief as we have a laugh with a game of trivia from Glenn followed shortly after by cocktail hour and dinner hosted by Captain Vincent Taillard and ship’s officers. Now well and truly primed, anticipation is brimming for tomorrow’s exploration of the Ord River, mystifying Bungle Bungle ranges and all points ahead - the table has been set for another exquisite Lindblad National Geographic expedition along the Kimberley coast!
