In the Drake Passage

By Blog.Admin

30 Nov 2009





Our landings - and those of nearly every other ship sailing the eastern end of the South Shetlands - were cancelled today. The winds are blowing at 40 knots and the sea swells are 3 meters.So Captain headed for the Drake and the Falklands. The inclinometer in the lounge has swung from 5 degrees port to 5 degrees starboard all day. Professor Lasca walked down the hall with his feet to starboard and his head to port. One hand for the ship is the law right now.



I put my patch on when I went to bed last night. It appears to have done the trick. I can't read or type for long, because the ship's rolling, but I am not seasick. Brandon gave his talk on whales. We watched an episode of Planet Earth that featured the Scottish cameraman's footage. Doug was there to answer questions when the credits rolled.



Tony Marr talked about seabirds - the big picture. Tui de Roy one of our guests has written a wonderful book about Albatrosses, illustrated with her photos. So she followed Tony with a behind-the-scenes talk about the book. Why is it that a day at sea - even a rolling sea - works up an appetite? Dessert tonight was a key lime pie with the meringue in the shape of an Adelie penguin. Chocolate was used to paint the dark feathers. I'm not kidding. Many photos have been taken of the tiny edible sculpture.



We have another full day at sea. On the 2nd, if local conditions and Captain's seamanship hold - we'll be in the Falklands. That's half a day early.



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