Wednesday 13 February 2013

A sunny start


What could have been better than a sunny start for our trip to Antarctica? Ushuaia welcomed us with blue sky, nice clouds and no wind. Nobody expected these mild temperatures. Ushuaia, the world’s southernmost city, has become the most important harbor for Antarctic tourism. Most ships destined for the icy continent start in Ushuaia, and subsequently the whole economy is focused on tourism; the ships can bunker oil and food and everything else that will be needed on a trip in Antarctica.



Passengers reached MV FRAM in the early afternoon. After a fast check in and the mandatory safety drill the vessel left Ushuaia and accompanied by the light of the evening sun sailed through beautiful, picturesque and calm Beagle Channel in direction of the open Drake Passage.


Everybody was still a little bit tired after the long trip down to the southernmost tip of Patagonia. Yet before people headed towards their cozy down comforters, Captain Aril HÃ¥rvik welcomed everyone in the observation lounge and introduced us to all his officers and our Expedition leader Karin Strand. She  introduced her team of lecturers, biologists, geographers and historians. All in all it promises to be an informative and incredible adventure across the Drake Passage and to the mythical seventh continent. 

Around midnight we left the Beagle Channel. The light waves of the Drake Passage rocking us to sleep like a baby in a cradle.