The Diaries
 
December 2nd 2008
:: 2008 :: 10/27 - 10/28 - 10/29 - 10/30 - 10/31
11/01 - 11/02 & 11/03 - 11/04 - 11/05- 11/06 - 11/07 - 11/08 & 11/09 - 11/10 - 11/11 - 11/12 - 11/13 - 11/14 - 11/15 - 11/16 - 11/17 - 11/18 - 11/19 - 11/20 - 11/21 - 11/22 - 11/23 - 11/25 - 11/26 - 11/27 - 11/28
11/29 - 11/30
12/01 - 12/02
- On board the Marion Dufresne -  

All whole team put in the hotel, the cell phones heated up: we can finally hear the voice of our abandoned wives. One speaks to us about the cold, of the winter that we will have to find, of the daily problems which we cowardly left behind us, but also of the joy of having been able to follow our archaeological tribulations from day to day.

The Marion Dufresne at quay
Photo credit : Sylvain Savoia

In end of the afternoon, we all leave in cars towards the Port where must be held a press conference on board the Marion Dufresne. The ship is a hive, because it must set out again tomorrow.

In addition, in the evening, the Prefect of the TAAF invited all the authorities of the island to a cocktail given within the framework of the international polar Year, we are also invited.

While circulating in the gangways of the ship, I feel the particular atmosphere of the getting under way days before: agitation, excitation, waiting, it’s a long time that I did not have this feeling to want to leave, to find the broad one which seized me.

The team and Yan Van Arnim surrounding the prefect.
Photo credit : Laurent Hoarau

Jean-François prepared a splendid diaporama on which we wish to introduce the results of the mission 2008. After a short intervention of the Prefect of the TAAF, Nick Mariner, Thomas Romon present each their part, Yann Von Arnim evokes also his short stay among us and the developments which the Franco-Mauritian collaboration could take. Follow the questions and the interviews of televisions and journalists present.

The evening finishes on the helicopter platform where the guests hurry going. From Tromelin to the Marion Dufresne the short cut is a little brutal; spontaneously the team recreates a small islet of friendship and complicity in the middle of the crowd.

 An islet of friendship