We lucked out for the second time in our southbound trip across the Drake Passage. Although there was a swell of something in the order of 4 metres, and we could feel some movement overnight, on Saturday morning everyone, including the crew, was happy to see more ripples than whitecaps on the ocean. From what we heard, the reason Le Boreal had been held up on its trip back was because the weather was particularly bad and it took an extra 12 hours to get to Ushuaia. We're all crossing our fingers that the same thing doesn't happen to us.
It turned out to be a full day. Four lectures, from Photography in the Antarctic 101 to the Heroes of Antarctic Exploration in the early 1900s, Sea Bird Identification and finally our introduction to Climate Change and how it is affecting the Antarctic Eco-System. All very interesting and given by an extremely knowledgeable staff of university professors and researchers who, on average, have been working the Antarctic for over 20 years.
In the middle of the day, just in time to interrupt the rush to lunch, we saw our first large marine wildlife – Orcas! We ended up in the middle of a number of small pods of orcas that were systematically combing the area for food. Once we made the first sightings, the Captain turned the ship around so we could get in for a closer look – which was an event in itself. We had been travelling at full speed, about 16 knots, and we're not sure that he even slowed down. We were just heading toward the aft outside deck area when we looked through the door, and found that the horizon was at a 30 degree angle! Talk about turning a ship on a dime! It is hard to conceive a 500 foot long ship being that manoeuvrable, but this one is, and Captain Marchessau has demonstrated he is not afraid to use that capability.
Fortunately most people headed for the upper decks while we found a smaller deck on the port side which, since the Orcas were on that side, turned out to be the ideal location. We spent some time watching the Orcas and managed to get a few good photos:
This being the first full day of the cruise, it was also the evening for the Captain's Welcome Aboard Party and Gala Dinner! On any other ship this would be the "first formal night" and in the pre-cruise package they actually call it that, suggesting a jacket for the gentlemen "if packing space permits". While a number of the ladies, including Monica, wore their cocktail finery, virtually all of the gentlemen, including Larry, obviously packed light"! A very few jackets, and the only tuxes were on the staff!!
After the party we proceeded to dinner in the Main Dining Room where we shared a table and great conversation with a couple we met who are from Kleinberg. The Dining Room is on Deck 2 and when sitting by a window you almost feel like you are sitting ON the water. With the swells still running at about 12 feet, there were many occasions where the horizon completely disappeared behind a "wall" of water! A most interesting experience and one that a photo can't properly show. That's why you'll have to wait for the video!
At the party the Captain announced that with the (relatively) calm seas, we were making excellent time and he expected us to clear the Drake by 10:00 AM Sunday morning, a full 12 hours ahead of schedule. That is where the real fun will begin!
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