Those ships are watertribe and the man that we saw on Appa's Lost Days looking up at Appa, was Hagoka(sp?).?? He is Sokka and Katara's father and he knows that his children are traveling with that Avatar.?? He must also know by now that the Flying Bison belongs to the Avatar, so he is heading to Ba Sing Se where he saw Appa heading to find or atleast try to find Sokka nad Katara to see them after 2 years.
Pooldude clairified that the man was Hagoka(sp?).?? Just so there is no arguing (sp?) about that and to give him credit.?? Sorry about my spelling. Its 5am where i am.