First Full Day at Sea

The Drake Passage has two nicknames: Drake Lake and Drake Shake. As was foretold last night by the Captain, we have thus far been lucky to be crossing Drake Lake. Despite the fact that this is pretty much as good as it gets, I woke to the rock and rolling and dawned my wrist pressure bands, ear patches, and downed sea sickness pills and only suffered for an hour or two!

If you assumed that Antarctica’s most famous waterway was first sailed by British explorer Sir Francis Drake, you’re not alone. The truth behind its somewhat misleading name is just one of many interesting facts about the Drake Passage.

Drake never actually sailed these waters.

When researching the history, I found this out: “While the Drake Passage is the shortest route from Antarctica to the rest of the world, Sir Francis Drake actually opted for the less dangerous, albeit much longer, Strait of Magellan. Nevertheless, this part of the ocean became named after the renowned circumnavigator when one of his ships drifted far south after passing through the Strait of Magellan in 1578. Having realized there might be a connection between the Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans, Drake and his crew inadvertently discovered what would become named Drake Passage.

The first person on record for sailing through the Drake Passage’s choppy waters was a Dutchman named Willem Schouten. Schouten traversed the passage in 1616, almost forty years after Drake’s initial Antarctic exploration.

Today is a quiet day of eating wonderful meals (small portions to compensate for rolling about). Time at the spa (both having massages with Lindsay getting manicure as well). Some reading took place in the afternoon and watching NFL playoffs. Lindsay has also visited with a future cruise consultant planning her next adventure. We were fitted for our boots and attended a mandatory safety briefing for all the zodiac expeditions. Evening cocktail reception to meet senior officers, then a tasting menu at The Restaurant in Ivon and Raul’s section (will ask for them again - They are a hoot!).Læs mere