Today, as we continued east along the coast of Columbia, the trade winds eased and we spent a relaxing day cruising, enjoying lectures and fine cuisine. We learned, in a talk given by Tom Ritchie, the terrible human history of the Atlantic slave trade and the intriguing story of its economic importance to the rise and fall of the fortunes of many European nations and the development of the Caribbean region. Later, our historian Robyn Woodward presented a lecture on the life of Christopher Columbus and his voyages through this part of the world. Robyn painted this almost mythic figure as a poor navigator but a great explorer, driven by a great passion and unshakeable faith in his ideas.

After an enjoyable lunch, with an option to eat on deck in the fine sea air, there was time for a restful nap or a chance to catch up on reading or journal writing. The afternoon concluded with a presentation from David Cothran and Dennis Cornejo, the Undersea Specialists, who showed underwater video they had shot in the San Blas Islands on the first day of our trip. With help from Tom, they gave us a thorough introduction to the fascinating and beautiful intricacies of the coral reef community.

As the day drew to a close and the sun set over the gentle waves, many of us could be seen gazing out to sea, dreaming of encounters with the strange and lovely inhabitants of the world below, those we had recently known in Panama and more soon to come in Bonaire.