Drake Passage
After leaving Antarctica yesterday evening and heading north into the Drake Passage, it is inevitable that thoughts turn towards home. With these thoughts come mixed emotions. Much of what has been experienced here will only be appreciated in the fullness of time and with reflection from a distance. There is sadness in leaving a place of beauty and wonder that has made such an impact in a short time, but also the pleasure of returning to familiar places and people, especially at this season. There is time in the Drake to make the transition from Antarctica to the rest of the world – from the alien world of stark icescapes to the known world of cities and vehicles, people and vegetation.
While making the transition, we are reminded that the Southern Ocean is itself home to a diversity of animals. From the decks of our vessel a variety of seabirds could be seen during the day, many wheeling around the vessel as if briefly investigating this stranger in their midst. Passing whales were glimpsed at a distance, for while the Drake has been kind to us today with moderate seas, the swells were still large enough to prevent us from slowing down and trying to spend time with these animals, as we were fortunate to be able to do yesterday.
Tomorrow we will complete our northbound Drake transit and arrive back in Ushuaia changed by our experiences here. From there we will continue our journeys, aware that behind us in Antarctica, the season continues. The penguins will feed their young while evading the skuas which in turn will raise their chicks. The whales will feast on krill and the petrels of the Southern Ocean will skim across the seas, all unchanged by our brief visit.
After leaving Antarctica yesterday evening and heading north into the Drake Passage, it is inevitable that thoughts turn towards home. With these thoughts come mixed emotions. Much of what has been experienced here will only be appreciated in the fullness of time and with reflection from a distance. There is sadness in leaving a place of beauty and wonder that has made such an impact in a short time, but also the pleasure of returning to familiar places and people, especially at this season. There is time in the Drake to make the transition from Antarctica to the rest of the world – from the alien world of stark icescapes to the known world of cities and vehicles, people and vegetation.
While making the transition, we are reminded that the Southern Ocean is itself home to a diversity of animals. From the decks of our vessel a variety of seabirds could be seen during the day, many wheeling around the vessel as if briefly investigating this stranger in their midst. Passing whales were glimpsed at a distance, for while the Drake has been kind to us today with moderate seas, the swells were still large enough to prevent us from slowing down and trying to spend time with these animals, as we were fortunate to be able to do yesterday.
Tomorrow we will complete our northbound Drake transit and arrive back in Ushuaia changed by our experiences here. From there we will continue our journeys, aware that behind us in Antarctica, the season continues. The penguins will feed their young while evading the skuas which in turn will raise their chicks. The whales will feast on krill and the petrels of the Southern Ocean will skim across the seas, all unchanged by our brief visit.
