At the beginning…..
18th March, 2008Arriving at Ushuaia really is the start of the journey as you fly over the snow capped mountains and the Beagle Channel, wondering where the airport is as all you can see is the town and lots of rocks. It’s actually on a rocky looking outcrop in the channel but the breaks were good! I was lucky enough to arrive with all my luggage (unlike others) and was also a day earlier than most of the other team members so was able to meet some other early arrivals and get to know the town and sample the local cuisine – steak and red wine.
We boarded the MV Ushuaia on a sunny afternoon and headed out to the Drake Passage with all those stories of huge waves and sea sickness at the back of our heads. Ines my cabin mate and I spent the first evening laughing as we tried to unpack whilst finding our sea legs and had to keep putting the drawer back in which slid out every time the ship rolled to one side. The highlight so far must be seeing the albatrosses and petrels and there was a rush to the deck when the announcements came that there were fin whales and our first iceberg. It’s still all a bit surreal and I’m not sure if it’s the seasickness patch or not quite being able to believe where I am and what I’m seeing. One thing I do know – it’s definitely cold here.
Today - 18th March is a different story weather wise – we were lucky with the Drake Passage but it´s all change. Today it is very windy and there has been snow and ice all night. The ship couldn´t stay in the bay as it was too rough and there was a risk that we would be blown onto the rocks. So we went further out and they tell us that they had to ensure they avoided the icebergs being blown our way during the night. Now sat waiting for my first Zodiac trip and it doesn´t look that appealing as it´s very choppy and minus eighteen out there. I think I am wearing just about everything I have – but looking forward to seeing Mark, Russ and the others on the E-base as these are the conditions they have had nearly the whole time they have been here. Hope we get to go ashore as the weather has deteriorated and although some Zodiacs have gone we have to wait and see what the conditions are like (spending time watching penguins leaping in and out of water so not so bad) – we now definitely know that we are in the Antarctic.
Hi Nicola!!
Thanks for your email from Ushuaia! It was great to hear from you. I’ve posted your email (glad your glacier walk went so well) and the picture sent to Fletch on the Fernham website - see the URL above. Yes, you have your own Fernham web page now!!
It was very exciting to see your post above. Hope you’re coping with being at sea! It sounds like the most amazing adventure!
Stay warm and keep posting!!
Jayne x
Posted by Jayne Rice on 03/19/08, 1:58 am
Nicola
Hope you are well and enjoying your trip. If you haven’t been able to activate your Mobile, please try the following: Select settings/Manual Roam/Network/select available network and activate. If you have problems let me know. Good luck. Good wishes from the Team. Regards Patx
Posted by Patricia McCracken on 03/19/08, 5:00 am
what a wonderful adventure i am so envious……….enjoy, stay safe and be inspired………. once again a fabulous website giving a fantastic coverage…….. Thank you for giving the likes of me the facility to share with you yet another awesome trip……
Posted by "Busy B " on 03/20/08, 4:21 pm
Aha, just found this little web-site niche; very handy.
Not so keen on the main message board. I think you’ll know why. All going to plan at home. kids locked in the garage and dogs in a kennel. Actually all thriving and I am enjoying having them to myself. Esme making a mummy album to show you our exploits in your absence. Not made much of an impression on the freezer yet, you need to stay away for another month! None the less we willall glad to get you back. Try and stash away a couple of penguins and go easy on the night life.
Posted by ian fletcher on 03/21/08, 3:31 am