Drake Passage
Position at 1000 hours: Lat. 60° 09’S, Long. 63° 25’W Speed: 9.7 knots Course: 342° Barometer: 973.3 hPa falling Wind: 10 knots N Air temperature: 3° C Sea temperature: 2° C
The first view of Antarctica is always an iceberg. It may be a monolith hovering on the horizon, a barely discernable spectre looming out of the mist, or perhaps a sun-spangled, dazzling icon marking the gateway to this new world. It will undoubtedly be icebergs that leave the most lasting impressions on the imagination. —Mark Jones, Wild Ice
Sunday, 26 December 2010
Drake Passage; Cape Horn
Position at 1600 hours: Lat. 55° 50’S, Long. 66° 25’W Speed: 11.7 knots Course: 360° Barometer: 982.6 hPa WIND: Calm Air temperature: 10° C Sea temperature: 6.9° C
Antarctica left a restless longing in my heart beckoning towards an incomprehensible perfection forever beyond the reach of mortal man. Its overwhelming beauty touches one so deeply that it is like a wound.
—Edwin Mickleburgh, Beyond the Frozen Sea
Many people were discussing post-voyage plans over breakfast, looking to see if they’d meet up with anyone as their journeys continue to other parts of South America. A pre-arrival briefing led by Maggie and Judd let us all know what to do with our luggage, passports, customs control, disembarkation, tipping and farewells. Into the bar, and we pay our ship accounts with Terry and give Maggie our email address so we can all stay in touch post voyage and receive the ship’s log which people have contributed to throughout the voyage.
A crowd gathered on the bridge as we sighted Cape Horn in the distance and slowly approached to 12 nautical miles out from land before the Chileans had cause to call and see what we were up to. Changing course to starboard, we headed towards the Beagle Channel.
We settled in the lecture room for a slideshow of people’s favourite photos from the trip. Each passenger was asked to contribute 3 of their favourite pics, and a few cmpuet savvy and creative folk put them together in a movie presentation. It was great to review the trip and see what everyone else saw, often different from your own perspective and experiences. If you have 10 minutes to spare please watch it.
Following dinner we all met in the bar to reminisce about our favourite parts of the trip. We heard from our fellow travellers of their experiences. It is hard to believe the trip is almost over, but upon reflection, we managed to see and do a lot of different things. Shore landings, iceberg cruises, historic sites, wildlife, whale-watching, and of course eating were enjoyed by all!!
It has been a bit of a whirlwind and I don’t think it has sunk in yet that we’ve been to Antarctica – the great white continent. Our dreams to experience this cold, snowy wonderland now fulfilled, some are at a loss as to how to top this adventure. Others now have a taste for Antarctica and contemplate the ways in which they can return.
We finished off the last full day of the trip with friends, memories, drinks and a picturesque sunset. What an experience Antarctica has been!
Monday, 27 December 2010
Beagle Channel; Ushuaia
Position: Lat. 58° 48’ S, Long. 68° 18’ W Speed: n/a Course: n/a Barometer: 991.9 hPa
Wind: 5 knots Air temperature: 8° C Sea temperature: 7.7° C
A Journey is a person in itself, no two are alike, and all plans, safeguards, policies and coercion are fruitless. We find after years of struggle that we do not take a trip; a trip takes us... —John Steinbeck
We pulled up alongside the wharf just after 7.00 a.m. this morning after a nice smooth cruise through the Beagle Channel. Farewells and hugs and a sadness that I may never return to this most unique and excitingly beautiful place. The ship travelled a distance travelled of 1,721.6 nautical miles but treasured memories of Antarctica will always be only a few seconds away.
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