South Atlantic, Staten Island, Tierra del Fuego
Throughout the morning we continue sailing through the South Atlantic Ocean in strong winds and occasionally bumpy seas. A few seabirds accompany us on this last leg of our journey. Just after breakfast land can be sighted on port side in the distance – it is Staten Island, home to huge numbers of penguins and other seabirds. A little later and ahead the Island of Tierra del Fuego appears on the horizon. Just before lunch we enter the Lemaire Strait and the weather becomes considerably worse. The wind and the waves worsen due to the very strong currents that are common currency in this area.
We have all shared an incredible adventure together and we will have stories to tell when we return home. Our lives have been deeply touched by the incredible beauty of Antarctica, South Georgia and the Falkland Islands. The wildlife all along the way has been spellbinding. We have also become increasingly aware of the challenges that this region faces both now and in the future. On a merely statistical note we have covered more than 4100 nautical miles, which translates into 4717 statute miles and 7380 kilometers.
During early afternoon and already sailing along the southern coast of Tierra del Fuego we passed the Cape of Good Success. It was in the vicinity of this cape that a very young man decided to become a naturalist and in his own words, “hoped to make some small contribution to it.” His name was Charles Darwin.
May these words and the incredible experiences we have shared translate into action to address the global challenges that we all face. A safe journey home and keep your memories safe too; you can use them to tell your own story.
