We are nearing the last leg of an incredible three-week voyage including Antarctica and South Georgia and are now bound for the Falkland Islands. This leg represents our longest stretch of sea time thus far and, in most untypical fashion, the ocean state has been one of perpetual tranquility. Today is no exception.
With flat calm horizons, light winds, and minimal swell our ship is gliding along and our productivity is high. With no seasickness to fight we can take in the flat expanse in comfort. Many spend their time searching for wildlife but with the low winds many birds are grounded. Marine mammals are always on the wish list but with the exception of a few small groups of hourglass dolphins, the seas are as quiet as the sky.
Even as we approach the shelf waters of South America, which the Falkland Islands rest at the eastern edge of, the ocean remains quiescent. A grey-backed storm petrel here, a black-browed albatross there, all despite lots of scanning.
By evening we arrived on the shallow shelf waters and a low, dark line begins to emerge; East Falkland. As we approach the coast avian life picks up again and our 60 hour crossing is behind us.
Time spent at sea is a necessity for anyone visiting these three destinations in a counter-clockwise direction. Some find this time cathartic, a moment to take in the vastness of the Southern Ocean and marvel at the animals who have evolved to cope with the various moods of the sea. Others can’t wait to get their legs moving on solid ground again. Either way our transit has been pleasantly uneventful in terms of weather and has allowed us speedy access to our remaining adventures in the Falkland Islands.
