Feel like a veteran
17th March, 2008Hike. Sore legs. Glacier! Merry team: a Mexican rancher, Akzo Nobel R&D folks with new paint samples, New York journalist, old friends from Coke, environment gurus, installation artist, student from Curacao… Can’t buy a tour like that! Norwegian “mountain goats” with snuff on board do “This continent wants you dead!” safety drills. Life boat with three days supply for 48 people is really cozy. Armenian doctor on board (Was he happy to see Armenian Cognac!). A documentary film about 7 old Swedish explores who eat penguins and heat the hut with seal bladder (Were they happy to be rescued after two year and had a shower!). No puking, no falling out of top bunk! Drake Passage was merciful, I guess. Second person up in the morning to inhale salty breeze on upper deck! Yummy breakfast! Fin Whales are a jolly bunch! Capitan Jorge knows his way to The First Iceberg! Third day on board – everyone feels like a sailing veteran. Understand knots and nautical miles and see depth reading. King George Island view! Will go off shore tomorrow morning! Wanted to pee around Russian Bellinsgauzen base? Official tip - do like Russians do – just pee around! I kinda like that…
How is it that you’re on the seasick-boat and we’re here at home puking?! The good news is that the flu symptoms are finally retreating and we’re feeling much better tonight than all week. Miss you lots, but so excited to read about your adventure! Have only seen one photo of the back of your head … where are you?
Posted by Theresa on 03/19/08, 3:18 pm
Hi sailing veteran ;-) Wow! Great experiences! Waiting to see more diaries ;-)
I’ve read a book about those Swedish explorers and couldn’t help crying… they’ve had a tough time. As for Russians peeing around … I’ve stayed a week with guys who did so regularly. Imagine what the snow around the cabin looked like!
Posted by Marianna on 03/21/08, 1:59 am
Hello Alexander
What life time memories! It must be awesome to be there and think about how on the edge those early Antarctic expeditions were. Your comment about fin back whales caught my attention. What about leopard seals, and a plethora of species of penguins? Hope they are able to take you to some of the areas that have been most impacted by global warming.
Posted by gary on 03/21/08, 12:01 pm
Sounds like you are having a great time. We can’t wait to see the pictures. See you in Minsk!
Posted by Rebekka and Alex on 03/24/08, 3:06 am
Share some of your views (pics) with us! We’re dying to see what you see each day!!! I can get goosebumps just imagining what you are taking in with your own eyeballs.
Know you’re having the time of a lifetime.
Posted by Cousin Kelli on 03/27/08, 10:13 am