The flashing lights framing the hotel across the street just went off and all is quiet in the dome. Nothing but the hum of the generator in the background, and the occasional drops of rain trickling in through the tarp that is our ceiling. It was a windy day, and by sunset the rain began to fall. The trenches have been reinforced around the tents, and now we can only hope it is enough to protect us in our sleeping nests.

Yesterday was Oceans Day, which came and went without a hitch – although our ability to maintain our presence here was no small undertaking. Thousands of people were brought by bus for the event; there were fireworks, many balloons, performances and speeches. People took shelter from the sun under our Extinction Starts Here banner, and next to our inflatable Minke whale. There was no appearance by the prime minister as expected, but in typical Greenpeace fashion, we, with KFEM, made our own fashionably late entrance.

Two paragliders prepared to fly banners reading “No Whaling” (one in Korean and one in English) at a site just next to the event. The first banner went up smoothly and after about 10 minutes a line of baby-faced policeman trickled in. After some confusion they realized that scooping up the second banner was the clever thing to do and continued to have a “talking to” with both men. So we waited. Ultimately both banners graced the skies at a peak moment during the festivities. At the camp we had visits from close to a dozen media outlets, and had prepared for visitors by painting our whales tails with a touch of color, tidying up, and offering various activities for children. An auspicious day all around.

Our focus now is on what lies ahead: the IWC, the outreach, and maintaining the camp as many ‘experienced’ crew leave and new ones arrive. Last night we said goodbye to Jan, and in three hours I will drive Bart to the airport. Two hard working human beings who leave behind them an indelible mark, and will be missed by all. On Friday we lose our Kiwi, who is an excellent chef, climber, and professional sleeper. By Monday almost all of the people I have gotten to know here will be gone, as we move into the third and final phase of our illegal occupation. For now the sun has risen, and with that the sound of shouting, trucks, and birds. I am off to my tiny tent to dream a little before my trip to the airport. Ciao.

kelly