Up and down. Side to side. Rolling. There are a myriad of ways to describe a ship in strong seas. The adjectives and verbs tend to be dramatically milder when aboard an expedition vessel purpose built to withstand the winds and waves of the Southern Ocean. The National Geographic Orion stalwartly continued to push along its track line, against the prevailing currents and weather that circle the southern continent, away from South Georgia and towards the Falkland Islands. The towering snow peaked ridgelines, vibrant green tussock slopes and black sand beaches are simultaneously fresh in one’s mind, as well as a distant memory. Those colors that were taken so much for granted over the last few days have been replaced by unending blue. As far as the eye could see, mountains of salty water, valleys of white frothing spray. A shifting and chaotic landscape, different with every blink of an eye, savagely beautiful and wildly untamed.
But a day at sea is far from dull, while it does provide time for a physical respite, it’s ideal for catching up with friends, processing photos and proving one’s cribbage superiority. Passing the time in the lounge, recounting adventures, from this voyage or previous ones, some of them even true! Expedition leader Shaun Powell had a few of his own tales to tell about photographing South Georgia by sailboat on assignment. Having been onboard for roughly two weeks now, most everyone had discovered their sea legs, cheerfully bouncing along the companionway walls en route to meals or presentations. Peering out as the ocean passed by, imagining Shackleton, and his small crew aboard the James Caird, having to transit these conditions is near unfathomable. While the winds outside howled and the waves crashed over the windows, we enjoy the comfort of the lounge and a warm drink and reflect on the relative pleasantness of our situation.
