The Voyage Back Through The Drake Passage, Antarctica
We departed Antarctica via the Melchoir Islands in Dallman Bay. There would be nothing but sea for the next two days. We are at a Beaufort Scale 7 with nothing to see and back on Meclizine. The good thing - everyone does have sea legs and is able to stagger around the ship with little problem.
Two days of interesting lectures given by: Andrew (Geology/Glaciology), Victoria (History), Nigel (Ornithology) and Fiona (Marine Biologist) along with the omni-present briefings and recaps by Susan. Or, you could still join Leeanna to express your emotion in art. Susan's early morning message today: "Take care, hold the railings, don't walk around the ship with glassware."
Spent time on deck looking for seabirds....View image...
...there was always afternoon tea to look forward to...and I actually read a few books..
One day, the afternoon's entertainment was the "Happy Feet" video. Now that we've actually visited Antarctica, I can appreciate all the attention to detail the animators and writers put into this film. Especially, the penguins collecting rocks and leopard seal. Seeing the penguins doing their little "rock things" in person was a hoot...
In hindsight -- perhaps we should have taken one of the longer trips that goes to South Georgia, Elephant Island, Falklands for a chance to see more diversity.
There was also a Doctor on board. Jason was always available for medical assistance and freely dispensed pills for motion sickness. He gave out 600 Fenergren and around 100 Meclizine plus a few injections for motion sickness over the entire trip.
Time for the last night, Captain's Farewell Cocktail Party followed by the Farewell Dinner. Instead of "Baked Alaska" for dessert, we had a parade of "Baked Antarctica." Very festive, with lots of group toasts and singing.
Also a Disembarkation Briefing and short photo slide presentation that Nigel put together of this voyage. This was just a teaser as each passenger will receive a DVD in about six-weeks from Quark Expeditions taken during the last 10 days as a remembrance. How nice. The total distance traveled by the Orlova was: 1,459 nautical miles.
Returned the boots and zodiac life preservers and went up on deck...
...to see Cape Horn just coming into view. Cape Horn is surrounded by some of the most dangerous water in the world. There is a monument there dedicated to all the dead sailors who lost their lives in shipwrecks rounding the Horn.
Tierra Del Fuego (you could actually smell land) and then a glorious sunset and entrance into the Beagle Channel. With Disembarkation tomorrow morning, the long awaited Antarctica cruise would be over. (We're still at a Beaufort Scale=7.)
