The expedition staff say that there are only three different days of their week: landing days, sea days, and turn-around days. Today is a full sea day; a day for guests to relax a bit, catch up on reading, take a nap, or attend a lecture.
Our journey is following loosely in the path of Shackelton’s epic sail in the James Caird, and this afternoon we had a taste of the kinds of weather and seas they had to endure. The hotel staff made sure that our caloric intake far exceeded the meager rations of the James Caird, serving up some good grog and bangers to prevent starvation between breakfast and lunch.
Blustery winds and steep, cresting waves provided a stormy backdrop for the day’s activities. A few birds continued to escort us northward, and they seemed quite delighted with the windy conditions, while a few diehard photographers braved blowing snow and winds to practice getting shots of sea birds in flight.
Jared Diamond presented a unique juxtaposition of the expeditions of Cook, Shackelton, and La Perouse and what part luck played in the legacy of those three men. After lunch, our National Geographic photographer Rich Reid discussed some of his work with time-lapse photography, followed by an informative photo critique session with Karen, Michael, and Rich providing their insights and ideas of photos anonymously submitted by guests.
After tea time, expedition leader Shaun Powell briefed the guests as to the plan (plan A, anyway) for tomorrow, which may even include a sunrise landing!
