I must say that sometimes not knowing too much about what’s ahead of you in life is the best prevention. I’ve been told few scary things about notoriously famous Drake Passage where three diffrent oceans meet.
Just imagine the riot that can come out of three different enemies. There are always two scenarios:
- happy party time = ‘chill time’
or
- the one with all its madness = ‘vomit at your pleasure party time’.
Our two days crossing was the chilled one, as I’ve been told. Even captain Nicolay kept reminding me that it’s unbelievable how calm sea was, that even in prime summer these waters don’t stay so quiet. I’ve told him that it’s because I am on board and I’ve asked the weather man for smooth introduction to oceans.
Despite of so called calm seas, I was taking sea sickness pills, as rocking of the ship was still too much for me and there were few moments when the horizontal position combined by hugging pillow was the most bearable for me.
What can I say? Slovakia doesn’t have sea = newbie lost in ocean. Tablets helped a lot, but I had to fight strong side effect of never ending sleepiness, it was really hard to stay awake. On one lecture I was sitting at the back on barstool and fell asleep. Sliding down in coma, luckily, I managed to land on my left leg and immediately stood on both feet. Must have been my ice hockey player agility skills kicking in saving me, hahaha.
This picture above was taken on early morning when visibility was very poor and we were just entering the area of the first possible floating icebergs. Reminds you of something?
I found it very exciting. Especially, as I was able to follow with one eye the radar on the bridge and with the other the mist, imagining all the strange floating objects in the water.
Being a last-minute passenger on the trip to Antarctica does not leave you with your bagpack being delivered to your cabin door, neither it provides with special Canadian Goose Winter Jacket, but that’s not why I’ve embarked on this journey in the first place. To be an around the world traveller, extra jacket would give me just additional cost of having to sending it back home, like I’ll have to do with my Antarctica book and journey certifications after my trip is finished.
My last day in Ushuaia before embarking went fortunately fast with my heart beating faster then usual under huge excitement. I had this strange moment of compulsory need for getting myself Smoking Pipe and Nougat flavoured Argentinian tobacco. Don’t ask, it’s part of me that crawled out and just done it’s own thing, funny to watch for the rest of me. Then I had juicy steak with beer that I’ve got invited to from Martin (Snopek) my Argentinian friend with Slovak roots.
Walking down the streets to harbour was a joy. I was accompanied by other fellow backpacker, Udesh from South Africa who was staying at same hostel as me.
We both smiled and hoped to be on the ship very soon. Once on board and checking in they couldn’t find me on the list for a moment and I was ready to chain myself to door refusing to leave. Bit of panic in my eyes sparkled new idea and I’ve tolled them to search by my name Zuzana. There I was, cabin 207 smiled at me steward. they’ve obviously screwed up my surname, oh boy what a surprise over these years…
I’ve dropped of my backpack, said Hello to my two new cabin mates and went off on ship discovery mission. Announcement said we were free to wonder all around the ship and that was all I needed to hear. Obviously there were restricted areas unreachable without knowing the code (later on I’ve managed to see much more from ship, but that’s an other story you’ll read later), but all the rest was an open maze. I’ve grabbed my camera, snap some photos of Ushuaia just like the one bellow.
I managed to find the bridge door which was open and politely stood outside with eager eyes trying to see as much as possible on what was going on inside. An officer has spotted me and kindly invited me inside. First I was bit hesitant thinking he’s joking, but then I’ve stepped in questioning him. Is this really possible to enter bridge? Silly me, ‘don’t give people ideas, so they can change their minds!’, I’ve reminded myself.
Fortunately, it was all good and we started to chat immediately. I’ve noticed officers Eastern European accent and introduced myself. This was received with strong handshake and big smile. I was speaking to Nicolay from Odesa – Ukraine. Such a warm welcome on board made me feel great and I’ve asked myself quietly. Could this get any better?
- Oh, Yes it did!
Just about when radio message to bridge sounded in background, other officer came to us turning towards Nicolay saying: Captain, all the passengers are now on board, we are ready to leave. I suddenly realized, I’ve been happily talking to the most important man on the Expedition, our Captain = Ice master!
I’ve also understood it was time for me to leave the bridge and find my way back to my ‘engine cabin’. All the time I was smiling and saying to myself, what a glorious start and what a charismatic man. I felt very calm knowing, I’ll be in good hands sailing on open sea, idea that was bit haunting, as I’ve never done it in my life before. Especially after hearing about returning journey of last passengers, big storm with 10 – 15 meters waves and sea sickness struggle.
I always liked her music and just can’t stop listening to this song. I certainly look forward to her new album ‘Let England Shake’.
I hope to see her playing live, that’s one of the concerts I would love to see one day.
What a talent living among us these days, thank you PJ for sharing it with us.
Dispite of having to wait one week before I sale to see this big white continent, I find myself sitting calmly in Ushuaia. I guess it’s been such a long time coming that few more days won’t mean much.
Now, all I can hope for is that weather will be with me and I’ll be finally able to visit ‘white land’. I managed to get last-minute deal here in Ushuaia and will be joining “Quest for the Antarctic Circle” for 12 nights on board of ship called M/S Expedition. On the photo bellow it’s the red ship in port of Ushuaia.
(photo taken by Windows Phone 7, HTC 7 Mozart)
Big Day: the 8th March returning on 20th March.
Itinerary:
Day 1 Ushuaia Day 2-3 The Drake Passage Day 4-5 Antarctic Peninsula & the South Shetland Islands Day 6-7 Polar Circle Crossing Day 8-10 Antarctic Peninsula & the South Shetland Islands Day 11-12 The Drake Passage Day 13 Ushuaia
Highlights:The planet’s last frontier! I can only start guessing what they’ll be for me. Everyone has different expectations, I almost none. I’m so happy for the opportunity and just want to go, see and feel the moment of being so close to vast white land, icebergs, wilderness, wildlife and sea. Stepping my feet on the Great White Continent or managing to cross Polar Circle!? = bonus, so let’s wait for what might come and soak in the upcoming moments.
More Info: You can read detailed itinerary on this trip on Gap Adventures website.
