Towards Antarctica

Towards Antarctica, 1/17/16

What a difference a day makes. Yesterday was sunshine and 65 degrees; today it's just above freezing, the wind is blowing between 35 and 65 mph and the swells are about ten feet off our starboard quarter as we travel at a steady 19.2 knots en route to Antarctica. Because the ship is bouncing a bit and the wind is blowing water on the decks, the Promenade Deck is closed to walking and the pools to swimming. The walkers can jump on a treadmill in the fitness center, the swimmers can hit the spa.

Great presentations today about seals and penguins and the protocol for traveling in the Antarctic territory which is everything south of 60 degrees latitude. The International treaty for Antarctica drafted in 1959 remains in effect. First of all, we have to have permission to enter the waters. Then not only can we not burn heavy diesel, we cannot have any in our tanks. There will be no smoking or eating on any outside deck or balcony to prevent any foreign materials from being picked up by the birds or wind and transferred to land. Tonight we'll receive a map of our proposed route for the next three days, after that we'll receive a map showing the actual route taken. As the captain has told us, "We'll be EXPLORING the Antarctic, going where the ice allows us." An ice pilot will be on board throughout. When we're close to the Palmer station, some members of that expedition will come aboard to give a presentation about their work and life there. The naturalists will point out and identify the animals and birds we pass. We'll be in more protected waters so it should be safe to view all this from the forward decks.

There is an optional excursion later from Punta Arenas to land on Antarctica. It lasts eleven hours; 3-1/2 hours each way by plane, four hours on the ground. $3,499 per person. Non refundable, weather permitting. We're gonna pass.