Our day began with the invitation from the Chilean crew based at Bahia Paradise, dancing until 1:am. We found our way to the zodiac lead by our tireless crew and Capitan Fede, Laura and Erik. Off loading with no casualties, we all fell into deep Antarctic sleep. A calm night until the wind kicked up to 20 knots around the time hot coffee and Laura’s “well planned” Antarctic french toast was served to help suck up the alcohol poisoning from the night before…pisco!
As our typical day begins with Laura in complete control of the days plan for all her baby penguins and one wandering albatross. Fede begins checking the gear, weather and wondering if any of us will screw up. Erik usually flying under the radar like budda of the north, all while creating off the chart meals ,manning the zodiac, securing lines and answering endless questions from the curious.
Casey, our on board pinguino researcher, begins his routine of collecting data. This can come in the form of penguin poop to light spectrums.. now that is what I call diversity in action. He is a young man from Stonybrook University earning his PhD, never a finer young man full of passion for his chosen trade. Sean, Casey’s bunk mate, brings a calm to the morning with his ebb and flow attitude to life that we all should take a lesson from, a practicing physical therapist that has found a niche in traveling to exotic locations on the planet while getting paid. Lia, the postal worker, has a love of photography as I do. We exchange comments on light, angles, shutter speeds throughout the day…shoot shoot shoot. And Guy, reliable Guy, willing to lend a hand, always with a good attitude and great conversation.
Today was a low key day with a visit to the Chilean station for a lunch created by Erik on a bet or trade, not sure but it put us all into an afternoon slumber of catching up on writing, reading, editing and sleeping. The big event is that we are iced in! Not in Shackleton danger… but iced up for the evening until the tides and change in wind direction moves the house-sized bergs from our quiet harbor.
I will say good night for now. And if any of you have thought about sailing to the Antarctic across the Drake, please save your schekels and sign up with Fede and Laura. It is an experience not to be missed.
– Giff
(have no fear we did not forget day 10 – coming soon, it was such a big fantastic day that the post is slow in coming)
