Tropic of Capricorn, South Atlantic
We officially crossed into the tropic latitudes this afternoon when the National Geographic Endeavour sailed across the Tropic of Capricorn. Of course, there is no physical marker out here in the middle of the ocean, but there were still plenty of clues around to let us know we had arrived.
The humidity has been steadily creeping up over the past few days allowing our skin to soak in some much needed moisture after the dry, cold winds of the Southern Ocean. The wildlife has also become more noticeably scattered as we pass into the open ocean zone; an area largely devoid of marine life, at least in the upper layers of the water anyway. Like the wildlife, our clothing has also become more scarce; jackets and sweaters giving way to floral shirts and swim trunks. More and more of us are finding our way out onto deck as well, settling into the rhythm of the sea and lazing beneath the sun. All of these signs confirm our course; we are indeed heading north—towards the equator and its warmth.
This voyage takes us through some stark contrasts in climates. And though we are certainly fond of the abundant wildlife and the sweeping vistas we left behind in places like South Georgia and the Falklands, we also appreciate these wonderful afternoons at sea here in the tropics where we can watch the expanse of the ocean glide past the hull and wait for the setting sun to paint the clouds. Time moves slowly when crossing an ocean it seems, but then would we really want it any other way?
We officially crossed into the tropic latitudes this afternoon when the National Geographic Endeavour sailed across the Tropic of Capricorn. Of course, there is no physical marker out here in the middle of the ocean, but there were still plenty of clues around to let us know we had arrived.
The humidity has been steadily creeping up over the past few days allowing our skin to soak in some much needed moisture after the dry, cold winds of the Southern Ocean. The wildlife has also become more noticeably scattered as we pass into the open ocean zone; an area largely devoid of marine life, at least in the upper layers of the water anyway. Like the wildlife, our clothing has also become more scarce; jackets and sweaters giving way to floral shirts and swim trunks. More and more of us are finding our way out onto deck as well, settling into the rhythm of the sea and lazing beneath the sun. All of these signs confirm our course; we are indeed heading north—towards the equator and its warmth.
This voyage takes us through some stark contrasts in climates. And though we are certainly fond of the abundant wildlife and the sweeping vistas we left behind in places like South Georgia and the Falklands, we also appreciate these wonderful afternoons at sea here in the tropics where we can watch the expanse of the ocean glide past the hull and wait for the setting sun to paint the clouds. Time moves slowly when crossing an ocean it seems, but then would we really want it any other way?
