How to get from Fireland to Antarctica? – hmm … easy … just cross the Drake Passage …

Here we were now … the infamous Drake Passage, probably the wildest water on the planet. And we hit it while a force 11 storm was passing through (that means 12 meter waves) – our captain was clever enough to turn around and park the ship in the exit and safety of the Beagle Channel. It was still quiet choppy, but do-able.

We stayed in that position for most of the day, waiting for the storm to pass through and the Drake calming down a bit. The expedition team kept us busy meanwhile with lectures to prepare us about what we were about to encounter (from wildlife, geology to Antarctic history) and to give us some background. Also the first meetings for the special activities took place. In between of course life continued, they fed us nicely, there was also time for the one or other visit on the bridge or a quick breath of fresh air on deck.

Finally we were going … two days or roundabout 1000 kms were still ahead of us with more waves coming (though not force 11), further lectures and the first animal sightings.