Setting off from the busy port of Ushuaia last night, we navigated the broad waters of the Beagle Channel to break out into the infamous Drake Passage—the testing grounds of any who wish to experience the legendary encounters of the Antarctic Peninsula. Awaking today with trepidation in their eyes, our guests were quickly relieved to find that their fears of towering waves were entirely unfound. With rare exception, the Drake Passage was not the boiling, churning cauldron that sailors have feared for years, but rather a timid roll acting as an invitation to the adventures ahead. Preparing for the journey ahead our guests enjoyed the hospitalities available aboard National Geographic Explorer as we pointed ever south toward our destination.
With a hail of seabirds circling our vessel and the occasional dolphin sighting, we pressed on through the least-explored ocean on our planet. The morning held introductions to the varied and accomplished natural history staff on board, including our National Geographic photographer and Global Perspective guest speakers. Treated to two talks during the afternoon, we listened to Bob Jacobel talk about The Changing Cryosphere and Eduardo Shaw speak about the Antarctic wildlife that we are greatly anticipating seeing. What better way to enter the New Year than in the most remote place on Earth. It is difficult to imagine a more ideal location, and more so, a better beginning.
