Great things have small beginnings -Francis Drake.
Wake-up call both days was 8:00am. We were treated to various lectures and films as we sailed across the Drake Passage being as there was little to see besides water and birds. Most of the time I spent eating, if possible, and laying down. The Drake is known for its fierce waters thus sea-sickness. Our medical doctor had the worse case. Poor man, he barely saw up the entire two days. Surprisingly, this is his second journey. He actually knew he was going to feel this way and came again anyway. Fortunately, the feeling quickly goes away if you lie horizontally. Much talk of the sinking Explorer. Mid afternoon we saw our first iceberg. There was some concern on the Bridge, as this was quite far north for it to have travelled. Sunday evening we had our first zodiac trip to shore at Aticho Island. Getting dressed was an adventure in itself. I started with my silk long johns. Next came a shirt and fleece pants. Next was a fleece top and waterproof pants. Next was my nylon vest. OK I need to lie down now. No! get up Sue, the Zodiac is almost ready to go. Next is the YELLOW parka and the tall rubber boots (supplied by Quark) that are need for possible wet landings. Wow! I can't believe I did it! Off to the Zodiac. We scrubbed our boots each trip out and on our returned to help prevent foreign particles travelling onto Antarctica. Down the gang plank which was basically a ladder. Here came the tricky part. I needed to hold onto the the seaman who was standing on a small platform at the bottom of the gangplank. When the crew member in the Zodiac told me, I stepped onto the side of the Zodiac and quickly sat down, then inched my way on my bottom to a free spot. Once we had 10 to 14 people on board we were off. Similarly, once we landed on shore we inched our way to the bow of the Zodiac and holding on the the crew member on shore, swung our feet out and onto the rocks or into the water whichever came first.There were penguins and snow everywhere. I was so excited. I felt like a kid in a candy store. I learned to say thank you in Russian - It is pronounced spasiba.
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