After two days at sea, we are getting closer to Antarctica
where we hope to land at Elephant Island. These two days in the southern ocean
were anything but boring.
On Wednesday, passengers were able to enjoy six different
lectures in English and German about (amongst others), Penguins, Marine
wildlife and the polar ship Fram. In the afternoon, everyone was invited to
come to the Observation Lounge to have a Recap of South Georgia with the entire
Expedition Team. We quickly shared our impressions, demonstrated a few
emergency procedures and showed the passengers what the guides carry with them
in their backpacks. This includes radios, GPS equipment and chocolate! Some of
our passengers were lucky enough to see whales. The first on this trip! We were
also able to spot a big table iceberg on our way. Our amazing musician Myles
enchanted the Observation Lounge with his music while we held a Fruit and Ice
carving show, which was a great success. Our Team member and birder John found
a diving petrel and showed it to some passengers before releasing it.
Picture by Tom Warmolts
On Thursday, our passengers were once again able to attend
our lectures. In the same rooms we showed two movies during the evening about
Shackleton and the giants of the seas: Whales. Something else the passengers
were able to do was visit the Bridge. In groups they were allowed to come in
the place to be. There where everything happens and everything is decided. Our
captain and second officer welcomed the guests and showed them how the most
important equipment works. It was very interesting for them to see how the
sonar and radar tools help the crew to navigate through these hostile
environments. After the presentation they were able to ask questions regarding
the ship and its trips. In the afternoon, our expedition team members Therese
and Mattias hosted a Quiz in the Observation Lounge on deck 7. Passengers were
divided in groups and asked to answer a few random multiple-choice questions
regarding the expedition, its destinations and the encountered wildlife. The
winners were offered free drinks from the bar and received a nice certificate.
In the evening we had our first snow! Visibility was fairly
low but this only added to the beauty of the moment. Sea days always hold
surprises and it is a nice way to get a sense of the distance we are travelling.
It makes our destinations feel much more special as this is the only way to get
there.
