At Sea & Cape Horn
The wind had increased over night to about force 6 from the northwest as we headed for Cape Horn, which was shrouded in mist. The scene was set by watching a gem of a film, Captain Irvine Johnston’s Round Cape Horn. Large numbers of Black Browed Albatross wheeled over the wave tops with a few Giant Petrels and Cape Petrels. In the water we could see Magellanic and Rock Hopper penguins.
We passed the rock close enough to see the rookeries on the tussock slopes. Steve gave an excellent presentation on world climate change which set us all thinking. In the calm seas behind the islands, as we headed east then north into the Beagle Channel, Dave gave a display of his heavy duty diving gear and explained how he combated the cold in the process of getting the stunning underwater photography that we saw each evening. I gave a talk on my experiences training personnel for the Antarctic bases, and Ryan gave a brief talk on his experiences with USAP at McMurdo Sound.
The best slides competition showed what a talented group of photographers we have on board and was judged by Sisse and Cotton. As we picked up the pilot in the Beagle Channel and the wind picked up to gale force again, almost within sight of Ushuaia, I recalled some of the highlights of the trip:
The killer whales diving under the ship several times (distance to whales reported in the log - 5 metres - the best sighting I have ever had!!); the humpback waving its flipper just under the bow; the walk up the 1970 eruption craters on Deception Island; the visit to the Weddell Sea, Seymour and Snow Hill Islands – all new experiences for me.
It is not just the Antarctic experience that makes the trip but my fellow staff and crew, a great ship and a fine mix of guests and lots of new friends made. All in all, a great trip.
Safe trip home, shipmates!
The wind had increased over night to about force 6 from the northwest as we headed for Cape Horn, which was shrouded in mist. The scene was set by watching a gem of a film, Captain Irvine Johnston’s Round Cape Horn. Large numbers of Black Browed Albatross wheeled over the wave tops with a few Giant Petrels and Cape Petrels. In the water we could see Magellanic and Rock Hopper penguins.
We passed the rock close enough to see the rookeries on the tussock slopes. Steve gave an excellent presentation on world climate change which set us all thinking. In the calm seas behind the islands, as we headed east then north into the Beagle Channel, Dave gave a display of his heavy duty diving gear and explained how he combated the cold in the process of getting the stunning underwater photography that we saw each evening. I gave a talk on my experiences training personnel for the Antarctic bases, and Ryan gave a brief talk on his experiences with USAP at McMurdo Sound.
The best slides competition showed what a talented group of photographers we have on board and was judged by Sisse and Cotton. As we picked up the pilot in the Beagle Channel and the wind picked up to gale force again, almost within sight of Ushuaia, I recalled some of the highlights of the trip:
The killer whales diving under the ship several times (distance to whales reported in the log - 5 metres - the best sighting I have ever had!!); the humpback waving its flipper just under the bow; the walk up the 1970 eruption craters on Deception Island; the visit to the Weddell Sea, Seymour and Snow Hill Islands – all new experiences for me.
It is not just the Antarctic experience that makes the trip but my fellow staff and crew, a great ship and a fine mix of guests and lots of new friends made. All in all, a great trip.
Safe trip home, shipmates!
