Drake Passage, Cape Horn, Beagle Channel
Today we finished our transit of the Drake Passage and our final day onboard National Geographic Endeavour.
Touted as having the most tempestuous seas in the world, the Drake Passage was relatively calm and our crossing gave us the opportunity to have a look at the fabled Cape de Hornos (Cape Horn). Over 800 sunken ships and no less than 10,000 lives have been lost while rounding the cape. This literal graveyard at sea was the only means of commerce and travel around the world until the completion of the Panama Canal in 1914.
On deck you could find a curious assortment of albatross and petrels, both tube-nosed birds. Spending the majority of their time at sea, these birds have adopted a way of excreting the salt that would otherwise build up in their bodies. Closer to land we noted a few magellanic penguins and arctic terns welcoming us back to the continent of South America.
Inside the lounge, Steve MacLean gave a thought provoking talk on climate change, and we had the opportunity to watch a video depicting an early sailing voyage around Cape Horn in more challenging conditions. We also had the chance to view a photo slideshow from our guests.
As we transited the Beagle Chanel, and just before Captain Olof’s farewell party, we were treated to a fantastic rainbow off the stern. Although we all traveled on the same voyage, we will all go home with a different idea of what Antarctica means to us. Just as the early explorers we have read about and learned about during the voyage, we have now been there and experienced the mystery that Antarctica holds.
Today we finished our transit of the Drake Passage and our final day onboard National Geographic Endeavour.
Touted as having the most tempestuous seas in the world, the Drake Passage was relatively calm and our crossing gave us the opportunity to have a look at the fabled Cape de Hornos (Cape Horn). Over 800 sunken ships and no less than 10,000 lives have been lost while rounding the cape. This literal graveyard at sea was the only means of commerce and travel around the world until the completion of the Panama Canal in 1914.
On deck you could find a curious assortment of albatross and petrels, both tube-nosed birds. Spending the majority of their time at sea, these birds have adopted a way of excreting the salt that would otherwise build up in their bodies. Closer to land we noted a few magellanic penguins and arctic terns welcoming us back to the continent of South America.
Inside the lounge, Steve MacLean gave a thought provoking talk on climate change, and we had the opportunity to watch a video depicting an early sailing voyage around Cape Horn in more challenging conditions. We also had the chance to view a photo slideshow from our guests.
As we transited the Beagle Chanel, and just before Captain Olof’s farewell party, we were treated to a fantastic rainbow off the stern. Although we all traveled on the same voyage, we will all go home with a different idea of what Antarctica means to us. Just as the early explorers we have read about and learned about during the voyage, we have now been there and experienced the mystery that Antarctica holds.
