It is about 7am on our departure day (Weds) and as this is
likely my last post prior to boarding, so it seems right to say a few things
about our upcoming adventure. We board at about 4pm local time and expect to
leave the dock in the evening. The trip
to the Antarctic Peninsula will take about 2 days across the notorious Drake
Passage. Why is it notorious? Well, google it. Because of how it is situated where two
oceans meet, it is rough and the weather can be unpredictable.
People describe the crossing as two potential options: The Drake Shake or the Drake Lake. The Drake Shake can offer up 30-foot swells,
and knock people out of bed at night.
The Drake Lake is flat as glass.
And then there is everything in between.
What I have read is that there is about a 100% chance of feeling the
effects of seasickness and probably a better than 50% chance of losing your
lunch. And dinner. And breakfast.
I am about as prepared as I can be. I’ve watched every video (Google Drake
Passage for some stomach-turning footage).
I’ve researched ship fatalities (nothing tourism related so yay!). I have wristbands, Dramamine, a prescription behind
the ear Scopolamine patch, and yes, I did get anti-anxiety meds just in case I
start to freak out from the rolling motion.
Better to be prepared!
Our ship, the Quark Ocean Endeavor, is ocean ready with a
steel enforced hull for ice breaking (shouldn’t come to that) and stabilizers,
which I believe are wings that come out on the sides of the ship to prevent
some of the side-to-side motion. Our
ship is decent sized and holds about 200 passengers. And that is everything I know. It will be our home for the next 8 days – 2 days
to get there, 4 days in Antarctica, and then 2 days back. We dock on the morning of Friday, January 18th.
With that… I bid adieu for now and will write daily for an
update when we return.
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