Antarctica is so so close.
Met up with fellow expedition members today to explore the national parks around Ushuaia, including one end of the highway that starts in Alaska (or ends, depending on how you look at it).
Yes it’s very beautiful and this trip has been in the works for a while and yet, we’re are ALL very excited about what’s next. I run the risk of facial injury from so much smiling.
And then . . . We begin. The ship sets sail, we pass through Ushuaia Bay, then Beagle Channel (named after Darwin’s ship, not Snoopy), and onto the Drake Passage.
Learnings so far:
- The ship is full of Antarctica Geeks! My people! I’d forgotten about the expedition team on board — researchers and specialists in subject like whales, seals, penguins, birds, Antarctica’s geo-political environment, exploration history, and other cool stuff. As we travel the passage, the Expedition Team shares their knowledge. Talk about a geek’s dream experience.
- Calm is relative. The Drake Passage has a reputation of being Drake Lake (tranquil) or Drake Shake (winds up to 40 knots and waves up to 40 feet). The experts said our crossing was smooth. . . My body didn’t get the memo. O well.
- Expeditions have upgraded since the days of Shackleton, Scott et al. I discovered the ship has a sauna with full-height windows. Imagine, watching icebergs pass by while sitting in heat. O my.
Stay tuned. There’s more to come. Though if you can’t wait, here’s a 14-second taster from the ship’s photographer of what our adventure turned into.
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