Drake Passage
The skies have been a dull grey all day. Throughout the morning we were well accompanied with Antarctic fulmars, Antarctic petrels and the ubiquitous Pintado petrels, our most constant companions this voyage. Whilst the ship was moving around quite a lot it was not unduly uncomfortable.
During the morning we were treated to lectures from Eric Guth on “Ice: The Importance of a Unique Substance” and, a little later on “Antarctica’s Cooold Experience” with Jon Bowermaster.
At mid-day we were in a Force 7 sea, with winds from the west and an air temperature of 1 degree Celsius. Judging by the attendance in the dinning room, conditions were affecting many. The few albatrosses with us seemed to be in total command of the worsening situation and delighted us with a master class in flying. One never tires in watching these magnificent birds delicately rise and fall in the wind currents whilst covering vast distances. It seems so effortless.
During the afternoon, we continued with our lecture program. “Shackleton’s Epic Journey” with Eduardo Shaw and then, a little later, Matt Drennan on “The Worst Journey in the World.”
By late afternoon the sea conditions had significantly worsened and we were now in a Force 9 gale with six meter waves and the wind coming form the northwest. The Jack Staff flag is an indicator of what the conditions are like as it furiously flaps in the wind and slowly gets torn to shreds; then suddenly we plow into a big wave and now thoroughly soaked it is wrapped motionless around the flag pole. In no time at all it is once again dry and flapping again. However the air and sea temperatures had risen, indicating that we were soon to cross the Antarctic Convergence and so leave Antarctica behind us.
At recap we were all treated to a preview of the Video Chronicle of our journey. There were a few laughs shared and also silences as we were reminded of the incredible experiences we have been privileged to experience these past days together.
The skies have been a dull grey all day. Throughout the morning we were well accompanied with Antarctic fulmars, Antarctic petrels and the ubiquitous Pintado petrels, our most constant companions this voyage. Whilst the ship was moving around quite a lot it was not unduly uncomfortable.
During the morning we were treated to lectures from Eric Guth on “Ice: The Importance of a Unique Substance” and, a little later on “Antarctica’s Cooold Experience” with Jon Bowermaster.
At mid-day we were in a Force 7 sea, with winds from the west and an air temperature of 1 degree Celsius. Judging by the attendance in the dinning room, conditions were affecting many. The few albatrosses with us seemed to be in total command of the worsening situation and delighted us with a master class in flying. One never tires in watching these magnificent birds delicately rise and fall in the wind currents whilst covering vast distances. It seems so effortless.
During the afternoon, we continued with our lecture program. “Shackleton’s Epic Journey” with Eduardo Shaw and then, a little later, Matt Drennan on “The Worst Journey in the World.”
By late afternoon the sea conditions had significantly worsened and we were now in a Force 9 gale with six meter waves and the wind coming form the northwest. The Jack Staff flag is an indicator of what the conditions are like as it furiously flaps in the wind and slowly gets torn to shreds; then suddenly we plow into a big wave and now thoroughly soaked it is wrapped motionless around the flag pole. In no time at all it is once again dry and flapping again. However the air and sea temperatures had risen, indicating that we were soon to cross the Antarctic Convergence and so leave Antarctica behind us.
At recap we were all treated to a preview of the Video Chronicle of our journey. There were a few laughs shared and also silences as we were reminded of the incredible experiences we have been privileged to experience these past days together.
