Crossing The Drake!

 02012022

0430 Wake up!!!! As a bowl of fruit crashes to the floor!

Guessing we are in 15-20 foot seas and we are rocking.
We are crossing the Drake Passage. 

While Lynn sleeps I will clean up and head out to find coffee. Alas the coffee station had not been manned when I arrived. Back to the room and collected Lynn, upon our return we had coffee as we waited for breakfast. 

Breakfast is a variety of items which can be ordered. The porridge is good. 

Sitting by the window, there were occasional waves splashing the porthole window. Seas are at 15-20 feet.

At 0915 we attended an expedition briefing and I must say the Naturalist team should probably meet my expectations. 

We were fitted with our parkas and returned to our room when our stateroom host arrived to freshen the room. We went to the Observation lounge and chilled till lunch. 

As we finished lunch there was a call for hourglass dolphins on the starboard side. We got a quick glimpse before they swam away. Good to see such sightings are announced throughout the ship. 

Back to the room to chill before the IAATO mandatory briefing at 1500.

Then a lecture on the Exploration of Antarctica. Good information.

Drinks and dinner, with nice conversation ended the day.  

Next Day 02022022:

The crossing of the drake continues. Position: 61 14.26 S, 064  20.97 W, Heading of 176 at 10.8 knots, Wind 91km/h with the seas at 19-22+. 

Food has been very good and the wines are spot on.
There were two naturalist presentations today on birds and whales. Both were excellent.  

I did try and get some photos of Petrels, and Albatros. Difficult with the heavy seas, wind and fast flights. Maybe a couple good ones amongst the bunch. 

Disney photographer gave a very basic photo presentation and some info on the use of cell phone camera. 

Dinner and called it a night. Dreams of a continent landing tomorrow.