February 1st - Back Across the Drake Passage

We are not going to experience the "Drake Lake" on our return home as they expect conditions on this passage to be even rougher than the trip down!  Although John and I had used the neck patch on the way down, John experienced some horrible side effects to the patch...and it turns out he doesn't even get seasick!  So this time, he isn't taking anything and I am sticking to Dramamine and Bonine.  The pictures don't really capture our ride perfectly, but you'll get the idea.

Fortunately on sea days, the expedition team puts on fabulous lectures.  Each expedition cruise is staffed with marine biologists, ornithologists, climate scientists, naturalists, historians, wildlife biologists, etc.  They each exude enthusiasm for their field, share lots of information and colorful stories.  Due to covid, the lectures on the way to the Antarctic were streamed to our cabins.  On the way back, they did allow people to attend lectures and visit the science center for hands-on learning, all in socially-distanced groups.  

This morning's lecture, titled "Acrobats with Wings" was all about the incredible birds we have been watching from the decks and on our landings.         

The Giant Petral

The Cape Petral

And the Wandering Albatross

This afternoon we had a lecture about the Antarctica, understanding what lays below the ice, and we saw footage from an underwater drone that was deployed during our landings.   It was fascinating to see the algae, urchins and krill that thrive in this frigid water.  We also looked at water samples under a microscope to see the phytoplankton that are the foundation of all ocean life.

In the evening, to keep everyone's mind off the rocking sea, they played the movie "Shakleton" about the 1915 expedition to this previously unexplored land.