What could
have been better than a sunny start for our trip to Antarctica? Ushuaia
welcomed us with blue sky, nice clouds and no wind. Nobody expected these mild
temperatures. Ushuaia, the world’s southernmost city, has become the most important
harbor for Antarctic tourism. Most ships destined for the icy continent start
in Ushuaia, and subsequently the whole economy is focused on tourism; the ships
can bunker oil and food and everything else that will be needed on a trip in
Antarctica.
Passengers
reached MV FRAM in the early afternoon. After a fast check in and the mandatory
safety drill the vessel left Ushuaia and accompanied by the light of the
evening sun sailed through beautiful, picturesque and calm Beagle Channel in
direction of the open Drake Passage.
Everybody
was still a little bit tired after the long trip down to the southernmost tip
of Patagonia. Yet before people headed towards their cozy down comforters, Captain
Aril Hårvik welcomed everyone in the observation lounge and introduced us to
all his officers and our Expedition leader Karin Strand. She introduced
her team of lecturers, biologists, geographers and historians. All in all it
promises to be an informative and incredible adventure across the Drake Passage
and to the mythical seventh continent.
Around
midnight we left the Beagle Channel. The light waves of the Drake Passage rocking
us to sleep like a baby in a cradle.
