We woke to rough seas, clouds and rain which is typical of the Drake Passage and yet those who have done this before say it’s not too bad!
We were kept busy all day. The expedition staff had a panel discussion on climate change in the Southern Hemisphere and its effects on penguins and whales as well as on the ice. In Antarctica, the ice is the source of food for all the animals. A type of algae grows on the bottom of the ice. This is what krill eat, then whales and penguins eat krill, and seals eat krill or other fish that eat krill and birds eat the fish or penguins that eat krill. There is evidence of warming but historically that will be followed by a cooling trend.
The ship’s chef and hotel manager gave a tour of one of two galleys that produce all the meals for this cruise. Most of the 4.5 tons of meat and fish carried by the ship comes from Germany, they start with 3,900 eggs, and all fresh vegetables and fruit. It amazes me that the lettuce keeps as long as it does! Of the ship’s 77 crew members, 50 are hotel staff such as housekeeping, cooks and servers.
The expedition team held a trivia game where we had to guess which staff did a certain unexpected thing. One got caught swimming naked, another stole a car for two hours of joy riding, another was an extra in a ‘B’ movie.
The waves have smothed out somewhat and we are making good time.
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