What a pleasure to be able to sleep in today and enjoy the gentle rocking of the ship as she makes steady progress northwards through the Drake Passage. The seas are confused as an ENE swell meets up with a NW one. This is probably a result of still being in the vicinity of Livingstone Island, part of the South Shetlands, even though they are now all out of sight.
Certainly these swells are larger than the southward leg and there are also stronger winds. These favour the seabirds and we are surrounded by the lovely pintado petrels and good numbers of southern fulmars, southern giant petrels, and occasional black-browed albatrosses. Somewhat surprisingly we were even privileged to see a wandering albatross in the early morning. This is always a very special experience and it brings to mind what Robert Cushman Murphy wrote, “I now belong to a higher cult of mortals, for I have seen the albatross!" One can but stand in awe as they effortlessly travel across the enormous seascapes of the Southern Ocean in search of food. Sometimes they draw close to the ship and it is possible to gaze into their eyes; their eyes evoke years of travel and experience.
Maybe these moments help us reflect on the incredible adventures that we have lived on the White Continent now left behind us but so present in our being. Many of us would accept that it has been a life-changing experience and the ice and the wildlife have touched us profoundly.
Throughout the day there are numerous presentations, which are always opportunities to further enrich what we have seen, heard, touched, and smelled.
By evening we have sailed past the political and biological boundaries of Antarctica and more and more our thoughts become preoccupied with our return home. The conversations at mealtimes converge on what has just been and what lies ahead and there is much hope that we become actively engaged as ambassadors to Antarctica.
