Good Evening from the observation deck, deck 9. 

Last night we were rocked to sleep and rocked awake, depending on the hour and the swell of the Ocean.  We woke up to our promised coffee and if you know me, you know that was my main concern.   Still trekking through the Drake Passage, the water “calmed” down a little.  

This morning and most of today saw swells that have been about a 4-5 out of 10,  but as we sat at dinner tonight, it notched up a bit and three times, trays and plates and glasses crashed to the floor around the restaurant.  

Frankly, if you can take the swells, it’s a very cool to experience.  No sea sickness YET from any of us.  

Today started out with a fabulous spa service and then a visit outside with the Ornithologist.  He is outside each day from 9-12 with his binoculars, looking for birds specifically, but all kinds of wildlife.  He was very knowledgeable and surprisingly interesting to talk to.   We saw Cape Prechels, Prions and Wandering Albatross. Most of the birds in the Drake Passage originate from the South Georgia Islands, which is a British Overseas Territory, that is remote in the southern Atlantic Ocean.   It’s amazing how much useless knowledge I am pick up and….passing along.  

Then off to a mandatory IAATO briefing.  (International Association of Antartica Tour Operations).  They are serious about this place!!!  We were educated about the Continent and learned that no one country owns Antartica.  It is a Natural Reserve dedicated to peace and science.  It is governed internationally.

There are many rules once we arrive and there are no exceptions and no accommodations.  This helps keep the land pristine and the air pure. 

Wildlife in Antartica does not see humans as a threat.  There is no interaction with anything other than other wildlife.  We were instructed that we cannot get closer than 15 feet from any wildlife and specifically 45 feet and 75 feel from fur seals and elephant seals, respectively. 

Based on the places we will be visiting, we may see one of four different types of penguins – Emperor, Chinstrap, Gentoo, and Adelie. The penguins have created highways for themselves in the ice and snow.  They use them to go from their rookeries (colonies) to the water for food and back.  When we reach one, we must step over it and not on it.  It’s important for us to know that wildlife always has the right of way when on land. 

Another rule set out by IAATO is that we cannot bring anything on to the land or into the water.  We can bring our cameras and phones in our backpacks but nothing with paper or anything that can blow away or fall.  You cannot bring snacks or drinks, other than water in the given water bottles.  

Also, we cannot crouch, kneel or sit on the snow or ice.  We cannot step on any vegetation.  Only the soles of our boots and the tips of trekking poles can touch the ground snow or ice, not even our backpacks.   In fact, tomorrow we have a mandatory bio check where we must take everything that we are using as an outer layer  (that is not brand new) and have it checked for bio hazards and other organic materials.  We will be signing an affidavit confirming that our gear contains no organic materials.    Our stuff must be cleaned and disinfected both before and after we set foot on land. 

Antartica is so isolated from other continents that there in no introduction of other species.  That is why anyone who sets foot on land must be free of organic materials.

The afternoon brought another briefing for tomorrow and a recap of today. We are actually making great time across the passage and we will be arriving to Antartica at least a day early.  They added a stop to an island called Deceptive Island which is a caldera on an active volcano.  In is in a place called Telefon Bay.  More about that tomorrow.

Dinner was at a beautiful table overlooking the water in a panoramic setting.   We were lucky enough to see dozens of whale sprays all around us.  I saw one whale actually breach the surface but the rest were sprays letting us know that they are there and they see us. 

Leave nothing but  footprints, take nothing but photos!!! 

Cici from Sea signing off….

p.s. Today’s blog from Day 3 will also be posted tonight.