Our "at sea" days are filled with lectures. Today is was the history South Georgia Island's seal and whale industry, Antarctica Geology and Spotting bird behaviour. In between I spent all my time on the upper observation deck as the fog lifted and it was wonderfully sunny with very little wind...and I managed to burn one side of my face just a bit. Several diferent species of terns and albatroses contunue to follow us.
The ship is run by a Russian crew including the hotel service side of things. They are very efficient at making up the rooms. Our room is always done by the time we finish breakfast - and they have 99 beds to do. We were told that this is the captains first time in Antarctica. Even though he is very experienced else where in the world there is also an experienced "ice pilot" aboard to advise on the ships operations with respect to the Antarctica Treaty requirements. I also learned today that the crew uses all the modern navigational tools available BUT charts out the course on maps using the old fashioned methods. I find this very reassuring.
We have evening recaps at 6p every night in the lounge. The lounge is great. It takes up the whole width of the ship (less an exterior passageway on either side) and has big windows on 3 sides.
Right out back is a large open deck that is well protected from the wind.
Tonight we learned that the weather behind us is very rough and that we have been *very* fortunate. Our sister ship the Akademik Ioffe wasn't even able to pull out of the dock at Ushuaia due to the fierce winds blowing it back. When it did get underway it had to shelter near the end of the Beagle Channel and is still there waiting for the winds to clear. Apart from a bit of rough waviness late last night and early this morning, we have had smooth sailing.
We have another day at sea before South Georgia. Tonight we cross over the Antarctica convergence. This is the "line" between the Atlantic currents and the Antarctic circumpolar current. It's not something that one can see but we will start to feel the temperature drop. It was up to 12 degrees today but I think I'll have to wear my parka on deck tomorrow!
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