Story: A voyage to Antarctica in 11 chapters.
I spent 12 days at sea on a voyage to Antarctica, crossing the Antarctic circle and doing a number of landings. We kayaked, did a polar plunge, and played many hands of Monopoly Deal. Click on the chapters below to explore the white continent with me.
I drop my luggage off shortly after 09h. We’ve been told that all bags are to be delivered to the ship all together and that we’ll find them by our cabins when we board. I’m surprised how cavalier it seems . . .
Chapter 2:
The Drake Passage, a search for sea legs
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Everyone is sick, or so it seems. The night before we encountered 4 to 4.5 meter swells, and while the sea is calmer, the floors remain unstable. Barf bags have appeared on the landings by the stairwell . . .
I feel world’s better. I can’t say whether it was the pill or having found my sea legs. On my last cruise I felt seasickness on the first day, but was fine by the second. I can attribute the solid night’s sleep to the pill, however . . .
I wake up to icebergs outside my window. We’ve been cruising through the night and we’re on approach to Portal Point on the western coast of Graham Land, the site of our next landing. By the time I am dressed enough to step outside . . .
There is no wake up call and yet I’m up early to gaze out over the sea. I sleep with my blinds open so that I can see what’s outside as soon as I wake . . .
Clouds press heavily upon the sea and our surroundings. The sun reflects back off the waves onto the hazy veil drawn over its light. As it rises, completely obscured by the gloom, the day settles into a uniform grey . . .
I find Starie, Craig, and Ellie on the Deck 8 observatory before breakfast. Starie and Craig are usually up early in the morning scanning the sea for life. While navigating towards Danco Island the bow strikes a small iceberg and moves on . . .
Leaving Danco Island behind, we cruise south and west towards the channel. It’s smooth sailing, and we’re lucky to be able to pass . . .
I wake up and step out on the balcony. On the horizon, a fiery glow announces the sunrise. The skies are clear and as the day gets under way I watch the moon make its way slowly towards the ice . . .
Our wake up call is at 07h. I’m up and on my balcony before the announcement is made. It’s a beautiful morning, the sunrise converts clouds into streaks of paint against the sky . . .
We’ve begun our trip back across the Drake and the ship is rolling. Barf bags have reappeared, tucked into the railings by the stairs. Outside, it’s foggy and there’s little chance to see wildlife . . .