Series 3 :EP 11 - Drake Again, The Horn, Krill 'Em All - Return to Ushuaia,Cape Horn and Return Home скачать в хорошем качестве

Series 3 :EP 11 - Drake Again, The Horn, Krill 'Em All - Return to Ushuaia,Cape Horn and Return Home

We start this video on the 3rd of April and end it on the 9th. It's a bit of a mashup but our trip to Antarctica is over. True to the weather report our departure from the Melchior Islands was met with 5m seas and we both retired to bed. It's difficult to move around such a small ship under those conditions and I'm not a good sailor anyway so medicated and in bed was the best place for me. The bridge was still open and some people sat up there watching the waves break over the bows and onto the foredeck. Once Lady Antarctica had had her fun with us, she relented and by morning it was a lot more reasonable. As they days went by it got calmer and we could pick up speed, hence the slight detour to Cape Horn. It's a two day trip back across the Drake Passage, over 1000km, so there were the usual lectures but also a meet and greet with a lot of the crew including some of the folks from the engine room, laundry, hotel staff and of course the kitchen who were greeted enthusiastically. How they do such good food on such a small ship I don't know. There is still plenty to see with whales, bird including albatross and now dolphins as well. The snow and ice on the deck melt as we head north but it still cold. There doesn't seem to be a big distinction between 4 degrees and minus 4 degrees. They are both still cold. As I mentioned, due to our good progress we take a slight detour to pass by Cape Horn. We don't have time or permission for a landing. Evidently the lighthouse, which is also marine traffic control, is a bit surprised to see us and call the ship on the radio to see what we are up to. On our South America cruise there was a trip past Cape Horn scheduled but the weather was in a mood so it was cancelled. That was a 90,000 tonne ship so you can imagine the conditions. Instead we spent more time in the Chilean Fjords. So this trip we got to see Cape Horn and although it is a great landmark, and we get to say we rounded Cape Horn, the extra time in the fjords on the Oosterdam was the better option on that trip. Back in Ushuaia the next day we have breakfast and say our goodbyes. With only 100 passengers you get to meet almost everybody and you get to know the expedition staff pretty well. You have a lot of interaction with them, especially th expedition leader, Sara, who gets us up every morning and keeps us organised. Captain Per also came to see us off. He'll be glad to get his bridge back! Being such a small town its a short walk to our hotel. It's a bit more up market than our first one but I don't like it as much. Nothing the matter with it, just not my style. I was going to go trout fishing the next day but the guide tried to defer, then sort of cancelled and never turned up. Still trying to get my deposit back. Not happy. The weather was nice so we just went and had a look at places in walking distance that we had not been to yet. The next day it's airport time. Have to get back to Buenos Aires to start the trip back home. We hit the shops when we get there but everything is closed for the afternoon. Not a problem, we have most of the following day before we need to get our flight back to Australia so we head out in the morning for shopping then. We hit the tackle shop which is not far from the hotel. The fly rod I used for Dorado fishing impressed me so much I wanted to buy one. It was a four piece travel rod which is just what I need and it will fit in my suitcase. Then we head over to find a stone penguin for Angela. The store is in the tourist area and we have to tell at least ten people that we don't want a city bus tour. BTW don't eat at the restaurants over there, they are very expensive. Summary : This was one of the best trips we have ever done. Leaving out the problems with taxis in Buenos Aires and fishing guides in Ushuaia the Antarctic trip itself was brilliant and a perfect match for what we wanted. Luxury it was not, but comfortable it was and that is what we wanted. It was supposed to be an expedition, not a cruise and thats what it was. Unfortunately these videos do not convey half of it. The lectures on how to tell one type of whale from another, being out on the Zodiacs rugged up but cold anyway, waiting, waiting for where that whale or leopard seal would surface next. Just the light and the landscapes and the little ship playing 'excuse me' through the ice as the crew got her into position for our next activity. Even the whole 'who knows what tomorrow will bring' vibe becuase Antarctica is wild and unpredicable and you have to take what you get. Much as I like organised, touristy cruises this was way, way better. I was prepared to settle for a cruise ship visit to Antarctica but the Ortelius experience just popped up and we were able to grab the opportunity. I'm glad we were able to. #travel #adventure #cruise #Antarctica