Day 10 - Cape Horn

Saturday, January 18, 2014
Day 10
We slept with our cabin window open, listening to the ocean sounds the night through. The ships motion has increased with the gentle swells and white caps on the waters. There are more birds gliding around us as we sail closer to land. We will reach Ushuaia later today, but first we will sail around Cape Horn. The ship is currently travelling at 8.8 knots. This mornings air temperature is 6C and the water temperature is 5C. As at 7am we have sailed 1451 miles.
Breakfast this morning was French toast and bacon, which has been alternating daily with pancakes and sausage and all the other usual fare. The voices in the dining room this morning were more subdued.
Lunch: I don't remember but the usual four courses.
There have been presentations again today, all greatly informative and interesting.
We have settled our on board accounts and picked up our passports complete with the Antarctic stamp. Our luggage has been returned to our cabin.
Our Canadian Flag as well as the Nova Scotia flag was raised by Andrew and flown as we rounded Cape Horn.
Ship tours of the mud room, engine room and bridge were conducted followed by the slide show compiled from the best of the best photos submitted by fellow passengers. We were each give a One Ocean memory stick with the slide show on it to take home.
The trip concluded with the Captains Dinner. Again, another gourmet menu of fish, beef or vegetarian dishes. The soup was borsht, the dessert, Baked Antartica.
Bags are packed and set outside the door for the luggage fairies.
We will dock in Ushuaia in the morning in time for our transfer to the airport at 7:30.

Cape Horne

Raising the Canadian and Nova Scotia flags

 

Day 9 - Return passage across the Drake

Friday, January 17, 2014
Day 9
Good morning....we are sailing on the calmest Drake Passage ever, proof that Dad is with us on this trip. The air temperature is 1C and the water temperature is 1C. The sky is blue with scattered clouds. We have opened our cabin window for the first time to enjoy the fresh air and swooshing of the Antarctic waters.
There are presentations planned for today, two this morning and two in the afternoon. The rain gear lines the halls, waiting to be picked up and readied for the ships next group of passengers.
We have sailed 1105 miles and our next destination is Cape Horn.
Today is a very soothing day with sunshine, fresh air and the maternal rocking....ah, morning nap and afternoon nap.
Lunch: cream of celery soup, beef stroganoff or curry vegetables and a sorbet with delicious mixed berries.
At tea time we few Canadians were treated by the RCGS to sweet treats, tea and coffee in the library....just a few doors down from us. Great conversation, great hospitality.
Dinner: Pork tenderloin or Shrimp stuffed cod, saffron rice, veggies, chickpea soup and of course salad bar. Dessert was a nice light mousse with fresh fruit.
Out trip is coming to a close. Our luggage as well as our final account invoices will be delivered to our cabin in the morning.
As I look out our cabin window there is only water around us......calm rolling water as far as the eye can see. We have left Antarctica behind and look forward to seeing the southern tip of South America tomorrow afternoon.
Good night!

Day 8 Hannah Point and Yankee Harbour

Thursday, January 16, 2014
Day 8
Today is our last day of zodiac exploring before we start our way back across the Drake Passage this evening. The ship dropped anchor just inside a bay on Livingstone Island. The swell was high at the gangway and landing points on Hannah Point making the zodiac outing a little more exciting. Trickier loading/unloading, rougher rides and sea spray. There were times when the waves were much higher than the horizon. You saw sky, wave, sky, wave, sky, horizon,wave...... Once on shore there were penguins and seals everywhere. The rocky to black sand beaches were densely populated with chinstrap and gentoo penguins. Here the chicks are about 3 weeks of age. Only one macaroni penguin was amongst the bunch. The smell of penguin poop is in the air. 150 Elephant seals line the shores. The elephant seals have made their way here from South Georgia Islands to moult and rest. We slowly trekked our way across the beach, doing our best to stay 5 meters from the critters, while enjoying the sunshine and the sights and sounds around us. The waves crashing on the sandy beaches with a backdrop of snow covered mountains was unexpected to me. Beautiful!
Mom and I decided this would be our last zodiac excursion. We will take advantage of this afternoon and prepare ourselves for the return trip across the Drake with a shower and nap.
Lunch: Cold plate buffet and a jelly roll like dessert with cherry topping.
The ship entered Bransfield Strait as we made our way to McFarland Strait for the next stop in Yankee Harbour. This is the last on-shore visit for hiking, strolling and polar dipping. Again the wildlife was plentiful and the sights, serene.
A charity auction of items for Oceanites, South Georgia Historic Society and RCGS was held prior to the cruises Champaign Toasts to a great time.....but remember it is bad luck to clink the glasses.
Dinner was a wrapped chicken breast stuffed with Brie, scalloped potatoes, vegetables and chocolate brownie dessert.
We have enjoyed the company of fellow Canadians, Evelyn, Pearl, Michael McDonald and Andrew Prossin.
By 9 pm, we have entered the Drake and the motion begins. Mom is trying the acupressure wrist bands while I donned the patch.
10:45 pm and we are tucked in as the ship rocks and rolls lull us into slumber.