Wednesday, March 13, 2019 – Some rocking and rolling overnight on our voyage from Palaver Point to the South Shetland Islands. Heavy winds had been forecast, and true that! The seas were the rolling kind of rough, which I have come to love during this trip. We arrived at the South Shetlands around 6:30am or so and twice the ship anchor was unable to hold position, so we moved along. Finally the anchor held, so the excursion leader and a few crew went out to scout out possible landing positions and conditions.
The report came back that the state of the swell and surf was not conducive to passenger zodiac rides or landings. I had mixed feelings about that news, I was dreading donning the multiple layers of clothing and waterproof gear required to maintain any semblance of warmth on the zodiac (the act of getting geared up gives me more exercise than a typical day at home). On the other hand, I was looking forward to setting foot on the South Shetlands. They’re further north than the other landing sites we’ve visited, so there is more rock and bare land visible than there is snow and ice on the island scouted as a potential landing area. It’s the end of summer here, so I’m sure in other seasons, they are as white as the Antarctic continent and peninsula!
The weather finally got a day… Final tally = Ocean Diamond 12 – Weather 1!!
There were just confirmed sighting of Fin whales off the starboard side of the ship. These are very large whales, second only to the Blue whale in terms of the biggest in the sea!
So, saying goodbye to the land masses of Antarctic, we have set off on a northwesterly course, aiming to arrive at the entrance to the Beagle Channel in about 36 hours or so. There isn’t likely to be much news along the way, but if there is, and I can get wi-fi, I will definitely be back to tell you about it!
Travels with Nance 