We left Ushuaia yesterday and were treated to a beautiful sunset as we sailed through the Beagle Channel. We awoke this morning to the open waters of the Drake Passage. The following winds were light and the seas gentle, with great visibility. Even with the calm conditions, there were many seabirds flying along with the ship. The albatrosses put on quite a show, with snowy, royal, black-browed, and light-mantled gliding around us much of the day and into the evening. We spent time watching them, photographing them, and learning more about them at the seabird presentation.
The day at sea passed quickly, as we also learned about smartphone photography, met the field staff, completed briefings and biosecurity, met the officers at the captain’s welcome, and enjoyed delicious meals and treats prepared by our talented galley team.
We went to bed excited for our arrival in Antarctica tomorrow, and our first views of mountains, penguins, and ice! We are ready.
