The first day of our epic journey! We began by heading south towards Antarctica and steadily steaming away from Ushuaia and the mainland of the Americas. A calm Drake Passage, by any standards, allowed most to maneuver around the decks with ease and get outside regularly for the refreshing but not-too-chilly ocean air. During the morning we were introduced to the expedition team and the special guest speakers on board, and we also listened to an introductory talk about the seabirds of the Southern Ocean. It’s fascinating to know whose company we are keeping while we travel.
The afternoon saw the screening of the first part of a double feature movie about Shackleton and the legendary Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition. A photography talk and breakout sessions concluded the day’s presentations, and after a brief Recap, we sat down for a delicious dinner prepared by head chef Sara.
