After settling up with the hotel, Marty and I spent the day
in town doing some last minute shopping and sightseeing. One big attraction was
a visit to the Maritime Museum and Presidio Ushuaia (jail). The museum in the
prison was very interesting with some great indoor HDR photo options of the old
prison structure. We picked up a few t-shirts and trinkets and headed back into
town for lunch. After boarding the ship and putting our carry-on in the room,
we headed up to the outside deck to watch our departure from Ushuaia. Because
our departure was the first of this season we were bid farewell by a brass
band, local dancers, and the media. We pushed away from the dock at 6:15 and
headed out the lengthy Beagle Channel towards the Drake Passage and eventually
South Georgia Island.
(Day 1) Our first day was spent at sea under what was described as
good conditions. The seas were 6-9 footers and some roll was felt. The skies were mostly cloudy with some rain
and a little snow. Activities included several lectures covering sea birds,
South Georgia Island history, and whales. All lasted about an hour and were
very informative. Other than eating, we spent a good portion of the day
photographing the various sea birds flying in the open waters of this part of
the world. Apart from brief stints ashore to breed and raise chicks, these
birds spend their entire lives at sea. We saw two species of petrels (Pintado
and Giant) and one Black Browed Albatross.
(Day 2) Today’s sea state was much calmer than yesterday and our
pace was a bit more relaxed. We spent the morning in a seminar on invasive
species in the Antarctic region and a briefing on the procedures we must follow
when going ashore on the island. The invasive species presentation was focused
a great deal on the steps that have been employed to eradicate the rats, cats,
and rabbits that made their way to these islands in years past. Some were
unintentional while others like reindeer were put on South Georgia for food and
still remain today. The tour operator is very respectful of the rules that
govern visitation to the island and so they should be. In the afternoon we will
attend more seminars on whales, seals, and other local topics. It may sound dry
but the presenters are great and the subject matter is quite interesting.
(Day 3) Today was a bit rougher but we actually saw land around 1PM. There are four spikes west of South Georgia called
Shag Rocks that are the exclusive home to the Blue Eyed Shag or their version of the cormorant down here. The rocks were literally covered with these birds and when the ship got downwind of the islands you could smell it. We have an early start in the morning with a zodiac excursion at 5:30AM, then breakfast, and then other trips the rest of the day. Everyone is excited because we will see something besides water and sea birds. The rock and roll of the ship is not having any effect on anyone now that we have been out at sea for several days.
After settling up with the hotel, Marty and I spent the day
in town doing some last minute shopping and sightseeing. One big attraction was
a visit to the Maritime Museum and Presidio Ushuaia (jail). The museum in the
prison was very interesting with some great indoor HDR photo options of the old
prison structure. We picked up a few t-shirts and trinkets and headed back into
town for lunch. After boarding the ship and putting our carry-on in the room,
we headed up to the outside deck to watch our departure from Ushuaia. Because
our departure was the first of this season we were bid farewell by a brass
band, local dancers, and the media. We pushed away from the dock at 6:15 and
headed out the lengthy Beagle Channel towards the Drake Passage and eventually
South Georgia Island. 
(Day 1) Our first day was spent at sea under what was described as
good conditions. The seas were 6-9 footers and some roll was felt. The skies were mostly cloudy with some rain
and a little snow. Activities included several lectures covering sea birds,
South Georgia Island history, and whales. All lasted about an hour and were
very informative. Other than eating, we spent a good portion of the day
photographing the various sea birds flying in the open waters of this part of
the world. Apart from brief stints ashore to breed and raise chicks, these
birds spend their entire lives at sea. We saw two species of petrels (Pintado
and Giant) and one Black Browed Albatross.
(Day 2) Today’s sea state was much calmer than yesterday and our
pace was a bit more relaxed. We spent the morning in a seminar on invasive
species in the Antarctic region and a briefing on the procedures we must follow
when going ashore on the island. The invasive species presentation was focused
a great deal on the steps that have been employed to eradicate the rats, cats,
and rabbits that made their way to these islands in years past. Some were
unintentional while others like reindeer were put on South Georgia for food and
still remain today. The tour operator is very respectful of the rules that
govern visitation to the island and so they should be. In the afternoon we will
attend more seminars on whales, seals, and other local topics. It may sound dry
but the presenters are great and the subject matter is quite interesting.
(Day 3) Today was a bit rougher but we actually saw land around 1PM. There are four spikes west of South Georgia called Shag Rocks that are the exclusive home to the Blue Eyed Shag or their version of the cormorant down here. The rocks were literally covered with these birds and when the ship got downwind of the islands you could smell it. We have an early start in the morning with a zodiac excursion at 5:30AM, then breakfast, and then other trips the rest of the day. Everyone is excited because we will see something besides water and sea birds. The rock and roll of the ship is not having any effect on anyone now that we have been out at sea for several days. 
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