Introduction
Diary
	20 July
	19 July
	18 July
	17 July
	16 July
	15 July
	14 July
	13 July
	12 July
	11 July
	10 July
	9 July
	8 July
	7 July
	6 July
	5 July
	4 July
	3 July
	2 July
	1 July
	30 June
	29 June
	28 June
	27 June
	26 June
	25 June
	24 June
	23 June
	22 June
	21 June
	20 June

 

R/V Pelagia Cruise BIOSYS / HERMES-D
Thursday – 21 July 2005	Back in The Netherlands   The cruise participants
The last day of the cruise and happiness mixed with nostalgia were in the air. At 10 o’clock it was decided that we make a group photo on the sundeck in front of the Master Station. With 25 people trying to fit inside the frame of the picture and the Captain waving from behind the windows of the Bridge, it was pretty hard at first to grasp all the members of BIOSYS/HERMES 2005. Eventually, a very nice photo came out with plenty of frank smiles on the faces. It was only later that the spooky wind and nasty waves started to rock the boat like crazy at times, undoubtedly bringing a ‘welcome home’ message from Texel. And as a matter of fact our arrival on Texel was more like an entrance to the polar circle. Despite of thick layers of clothes, people were trembling on the deck but still too homesick to step back inside. 12 hours after the group photo, we anchored in the harbor welcomed by a modest group of families and friends.
Some left home immediately, others remained on the ship for the last night of drinks, laughter and good music. Neither sad good byes nor horrible winter-like weather could lower the spirits if brave seamen coming back to the harbor after more than a month of sailing. In stead of lengthy endings I will just say: “till we meet again” and “thank you” to those who were with us, in bad and good, even if only by following the daily reports.