Up and Down, Side to Side
January 17, 2005 | 22:00

Drake Passage

Dear Journal,

Last night we began to head north back to Ushuaia. Just as we were getting used to being in calm water for nearly a week, it was time once again to face the Drake Passage. This area of usually rough water has come to be known by three names: Drake Lake, Drake Passage, and Drake Break. Most of what we have experienced has been Drake Passage- rough water enough to make anyone sick, but not quite horrific. Everyone would much rather have experienced Drake Lake, when the water is relatively calm and you can barely notice you’re in the passage- much like the water we were in when we were south in Antarctica. We have, however, come face to face with several moments of Drake Break: the water is very rough with swells higher than we’ve ever experienced, and things begin to break. As we were eating dinner, for example, a thunderous crash came from the kitchen, indicating rough waters.

Everything seems to become much more interesting when the ship is at the mercy of the sea. Everyday tasks become challenging feats. Eating meals is not easy when glasses and silverware are flying off the tables, taking a shower is even more difficult with waves in addition to a slippery floor, and falling out of bed at night becomes a concern. If it weren’t for the Dramamine making everyone so drowsy, I don’t think anyone would be able to sleep, and even if we did fall out of bed, we might not notice because of its effects. This trip to Antarctica has been so amazing that it makes it all worth the amusement. As far as I’m concerned, bring it on Poseidon!

Brrrr!!
January 14, 2005 | 10:00

Deception Island/ Pendulum Cove

Dear Journal,

As we made our way to Deception Island this morning, the winds increased to 50+ knots, canceling our trips to shore by zodiac. We were supposed to make two landfalls - one to hike along a volcano, and one to go swimming in the hot springs of Pendulum Cove. To everyone’s disappointment, we were unable to go swimming in Antarctica. The staff, however, felt obliged to not leave us completely disappointed. Everyone who had planned on swimming was to meet as a group in their swim apparel. After everyone was there, we stepped outside onto the deck for a photo opportunity. I feel it needs to be mentioned again that the winds were 50+ knots, the temperature was at or below freezing, and it was snowing. As we were standing there all in a row, I noticed out of the corner of my eye about 3 or 4 staff members with ice buckets. I immediately began to think about what exactly I had gotten myself into. Suddenly, water began flying towards us. The smiles and laughter immediately turned into expressions of shock, until we realized that the water was hot, and it actually felt good. We all eagerly hurried inside to the heat, being not just cold, but wet as well. After we all put on warm clothes and drank hot tea, I realized that Antarctica will make people do just about anything “for the experience.”

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