Journey through the Drake Lake

We boarded the boat in Ushuaia and plodded through the Beagle channel into the Drake passage. This is the big water way between South America and Antarctica. We were 1000km away from Antarctica. Same distance from Brisbane to Sydney but it’s taken us three days of motoring to make it across from Ushuaia to Antarctica.

We are very lucky to experience the Drake Lake and not the Drake Shake. Swells have been pretty Low. Less than 2m.

The first day in the Drake lake was amazing. Surrounded by sea. We have lectures every day about the wildlife and what to expect. Learnt about the different types of birds, what to do, what not to do, the types of clouds, a discourse on avian bird flu….

I’m suffering from information overload and too many people talking. So have been finding quiet spaces on the boat to chill and take in the majesty of this beautiful part of the world.

I’ve been crocheting myself a beanie that I had hoped would be done before we make Antarctica tomorrow morning, but I don’t think I’m going to finish in time for my first shore trip.

Tonight we had the Captain’s toast and got to meet the ship crew, as opposed to the expedition crew who we met the previous night. Champagne and wine to toast, went down really well. Haven’t had a drink since our Parilla night in Buenos Aires.

The food on board is sick!! So much yummy food for breakfast lunch and dinner. I had to do three laps of the shop today to work off some of the weight I am sure I have put on this holiday.

Saw my first whale blow this evening. Didn’t get a photo. Expect to get flooded with wildlife photos when we make land.Read more