By: Nisa Syahidah (WWF-Indonesia)

Overnight, after the last data collection on Wawonii Island, Konawe Islands Regency, Menami moved back to Kendari Bay. My twelve-day liveaboard experience was finally over. Menami docked and stopped sailing.

Unlike when we set off, this time Menami actually docked. That morning, right beside us, the ferry to Wawonii Island was busy loading passengers. Some members in Navy uniforms stopped by on the deck of the ship to accompany us to breakfast, while sipping a glass of coffee.

Today, we all worked on the boat to finalize the data - observations, photos, and writing. I also opened a writing talk class - aka collecting writing from themes that had been submitted by friends. Most of us folded our faces in front of our laptops today - interrupted by naps, something that could not be done in the previous days.

On Instagram, the use of the hashtag #XPDCSULTRA has also increased today. You see, after the closing ceremony, we will be announcing the winners of the photo competition that was held since the first day of the expedition. The photos uploaded vary, from the sunset in the Banda Sea, to Om Jon, our chef who is originally from Ambon.

At four o'clock in the afternoon that day, Mr. Ikhsan (WWF-Indonesia), a representative of the Lesser Sunda Sub-seascape, officially closed the expedition. The Marine and Fisheries Service (DKP) of Southeast Sulawesi Province was also present, expressing their appreciation and hopes for unbroken collaboration in the future.

"Thank you for involving me in this XPDCSULTRA," that's how we conveyed our impressions during the expedition, one by one. Sometimes we were touched, sometimes it was funny when it was Om Rais (University of Muhammadiyah Kendari) or Pak Putu (Wakatobi National Park Center) who spoke.

I, myself, feel very grateful to be here, surrounded by scientists who are not only great in their fields, but also good at making people laugh. Those who are used to diving know very well that when in the water, the mind must be in a calm, carefree state. These burdens are lifted through laughter - a natural relaxation mechanism that most sailors have.

In addition to learning the placement of "ji", "mi" and "di" affixes from the indigenous people of Sulawesi, I also learned the strong spirit of conservation from these people. They are the best in their respective fields. Me? More than just proud to know them.

That afternoon, Sasi (Halu Oleo University), Om Rais (University of Muhammadiyah Kendari), Angga and Jibriel (Reef Check Indonesia), won the #XPDCSULTRA photo competition on Instagram and received a small gift from us. Their photos of #XPDCSULTRA on Instagram have thousands of likes (the story).

Before it got dark, we took a picture together. As you can see in the photo on the side, apart from the light, there is a darkening of the skin color that can be observed with the naked eye. Sosoito - that's it, match.