Day 4 - Crossing the Drake Passage

We didn't get a lot of sleep as there was a heavy swell in Drake Passage and the ship was moving about a lot during the night.  It felt like we were on a never ending roller coaster.   We were told that the swell was about 4m.  Showering this morning was a challenge.  

We have been at sea all day and have seen no other land or any other ships.  

I went to the wildlife watch at 8.00 but there was very little to see except a solitary Sooty Shearwater.  The Ornithologist said that we won't see much until we reach the Antarctic Convergence or Polar Front.  This is at a latitude that changes according to the weather conditions but is between 50 and 60 degrees south.  It is where the cold water from the south meets the warmer water from the north.  The seas become very rough and the winds pick up and it suddenly gets very cold.  This region draws nutrients to the surface and is an attractive feeding point for birds and sea mammals. It also creates a very strong easterly current all along the latitude line.

After breakfast we had a mandatory talk on the Antarctica rules that we must follow. Most were common sense but there werea few surprises.

It was very sunny and felt warm until mid afternoon.  Paul had a touch of motion sickness and took a tablet and spent all morning in the cabin.  I sat out on deck on a sun lounger where it was very pleasant in the sun.  

Front Deck of ship

After lunch we had to get fitted with the boots that we must use for all landings and then went to hear more about a whale and dolphin spotting project that we are taking part in from tomorrow. 

We then watched a lecture on the types of whales and dolphins we are likely to see during our time here and another on the very first expedition to Antarctica which was very interesting.

I used the gym.  It wasn't easy walking on a treadmill or using an exercise bike with the boat moving about so much!

 

Our cabin


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