After leaving the Beagle Channel in the late evening, we spent a very calm night with almost “Drake Lake” sea conditions. The first sei whale was spotted from the bridge before breakfast. Our open bridge policy offers guests great viewing spots. Guests also enjoy opportunities to talk to officers about the ship and to naturalists about the wildlife encountered while crossing the famous Drake Passage. We enjoyed the beautiful weather conditions.
Calm seas made it easy to explore the ship and the facilities she offers. This was followed by an introduction to the voyage and the expedition team in the Ice Lounge. After the Mandatory Landings briefing and use of the ship’s Zodiacs, the biosecurity decontamination was conducted. We checked and cleaned footwear, backpacks, camera bags, walking poles, etc. to prevent the transmission of any foreign and potentially harmful material to Antarctica.
Our afternoon was filled with presentations by naturalists and our National Geographic certified photo instructor before Captain Aaron Wood’s Welcome Aboard Cocktail Party. We enjoyed blue skies and the sun, which will stay with us night and day for the rest of our expedition to the Seventh Continent.
