We've Rounded the Horn !

Last night, at about 7 p.m., we rounded the Horn! Twice! Apparently, this was in keeping with some mariners' tradition. The staff who have been on several Discovery cruises in this area said the weather was unusually good. Normally, the Cape is partially obscured by fog and of course the seas are notorious here as it is the end of the earth! Well, okay, the tip of South America where the Atlantic and Pacific meet. But, for us, the seas were calm and Cape Horn's cliffy profile was spectacular. It deserved a toast - which some of us gave it later that evening.

The seas today have not been as calm. During the night, as we traveled further south, the rocking and rolling began. I have not been sick, but didn't feel like going to the gym either. Some of that was the late night last night - Midnight, late for me. The volunteers were included in an invitation by the Captain to celebrate the end of the season (before the rocking and rolling began). The other invitees were the Expedition Team (lecturers, Zodiac drivers, etc) and the hotel staff, dancers, and other staff.

Today, has been a day of trying to catch up on the posts and not much else. The Captain's report at noon was that (if I heard correctly) we had come 646 miles from Punta Arenas, sailing at a bit more than 15 knots. We were experiencing "moderate" swells with an average of 5 feet in 25 to 30 knot winds.

Tomorrow, we have been told we will wake up in view of the South Shetland Islands. It is hoped that a Zodiac cruise (not landing) will be possible. I believe us volunteers can participate in this as well - making way first however for the passengers. Our first work day - landing in Antarctica is still to come!