Passengers on the ship were asked to choose one day of our voyage and write about if for the Ship's Log. I have included exerpts from the log, so the text below in italics is from shipmates who shared their thoughts and experiences with us all, or the quote of the day which greeted us each morning over the pa system in our cabins.
The land was gone, all but a little streak, away off on the edge of the water, and down under us was just ocean, ocean, ocean – millions of miles of it, heaving and pitching and squirming, and white sprays blowing from the wave-tops ... and we had the sky and the ocean to ourselves, and the roomiest place I ever did see.
—Mark Twain, Tom Sawyer Abroad
Position: Lat. 54 ̊ 53.5’S, Long. 67 ̊ 42.9’W
Speed: 12.2 knots Course: 96 ̊ Barometer: 995.9 hPa steady
Wind: 6 knots W Air temperature: 9 ̊C Sea temperature: 7.3 ̊C
Friday, 17 December
Polar Pioneer must have docked in the early hours of the morning, as when I walk down to the docks first thing there she is at the end, with her star logo on the funnel. It’s a chilly morning in Ushuaia, with a bit of sleet blowing around and a day to spend before boarding.
Through passport control and the dock seems endless as I head right to the end where I can see a big pile of bags and people standing around the gangway of Polar Pioneer. A very warm welcome from Judd and Maggie, our expedition leader and assistant leader, and I can feel all the last minute frazzle already fading away.
Up the gangway and into the Captains Suite. We can't believe our luck We have the upgrade, and after a little happy dance a knock at the door reveals terry the hotel manager with a bottle of champagne for us. Wooo Hoo!
We meet up with the other passengers and the Aurora staff up on the bridge, with a sweeping view on three sides it will be a great vantage point when it is too cold outside. Judd makes us welcome and lets us know that he will be leading the expedition rather than Don, who has a medical problem. We meet all the staff and hear some basics about how the boat will operate and what is expected of us. The lifeboat drill, with the bulky life vests, is a cause for some nervous laughter and the first of many photos.
We hear the engines change and an announcement that we are now pulling out from the dock. On our way at last. We race up to the flybridge and say goodbye to the mountains around Ushuaia and hello to the Southern Ocean.
Our first dinner then up to the bridge as the long twilight sets in, to watch our exit from the Beagle Channel. By the time we round the last headland most passengers are trying to sleep as the ship starts to roll and a few tummies start to roll too.
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| Photo by Hannah |
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