Antarctic Cruise – Day 2

First day in open seas

Today we are heading from Montevideo Uruguay to Puerto Madrone Argentina. A full day at sea.

I’ve spent a lot of time watching the ocean, which has been getting progressively rougher. A couple of times I’ve had to grab for a railing to maintain my balance. Also there are mysterious creaks and groans.

There are three Antarctic specialists on the ship. One is focussed on the flora and fauna. The second is a geologist. The third an historian.

This morning the geologist gave a lecture. It was fascinating as he explained about the tectonic plates that formed the continent, how the ice forms and recedes, and the other forces that make Antarctica what it is. I now know that it is the driest, windiest, and coldest continent.

In the afternoon the lecture was about how the conditions impact life there and the adaptations made to survive there.

I’m getting very excited about seeing this unique environment.