It takes a lot of teamwork and planning to run the best possible expedition. Long before this trip began, Expedition Leader Matt Drennan put together an itinerary, taking into consideration such things as the ice pack, the expected whereabouts of other ships, and providing us with the widest variety of experiences in Antarctica. Among the many things Matt is looking for are to show us as many types of whales, seals and penguins as possible. We hope to set foot on the Antarctic continent and to try our hands at kayaking. We plan on viewing a diversity of scenery, from glaciers and snow covered mountains to icebergs and intimate passages. We will look to find some pack ice through which Captain Skog can maneuver the Caledonian Star, and some areas that will be especially interesting for our underwater specialist, Neil Folsom, to explore and share with us. Yesterday evening, we left the Falkland Islands and entered the Drake Passage. The seas have been kind to us and we have made good speed. Throughout the voyage, Matt, Captain Skog, First Officer Gõran Persson and others consult on our progress and to see if any modifications should be made to the schedule. Are the winds and tides in our favor? Will the direction of the swells cause problems for a Zodiac landing? How can we take advantage of any special opportunities that might arise?
Among the most enjoyable aspects of our jobs are the camaraderie that develops and the challenge of providing our guests with a unique and memorable experience.
