As we cross the passage for the second time, I’m reminded that I didn’t enjoy it the first time. Even though I don’t get motion sickness, I still get weary of the boat rolling around. Sometimes it pitches from front to back. Sometimes it rolls side to side. Sometimes it does both.
In addition to giving me a headache, all of the movement makes it difficult to walk around. You weave back and forth and sometimes stumble as the ship makes a sudden twist. I have to hold onto a railing or touch the wall to keep my balance.
The captain gave a lecture this morning about the technical and operational aspects of the ship. We learned that the ship has three stabilization methods, and they are all currently deployed as we cross the passage.
Even with all of the stabilization technology and seasick meds and the Drake Lake, it’s still tiring. I can’t imagine what it would have been like on an old sailing ship a hundred years ago. Yuck.
We have seen a lot of sea birds on this time across, however. I’ve seen a few albatross which is pretty cool. It makes me think of Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner which I read in 12th grade. We also seen other types of birds, petrels and others. I should go back to look at the bird replicas to figure out their names, but I just don’t feel like walking downstairs at the moment.
One of the lines in Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner is “Water, water everywhere and not a drop to drink.” In our case, the ship has a reserve of potable water, and it can make more water by desalination of sea water. I learned that during the captain’s lecture. How cool!
Our passage will take 36 hours. This is pretty good time, as I’ve read that it can take up to 48 hours if the sea is rough.
Tomorrow morning around 8 am, we’ll sight land on Cape Horn. We’ll then sail around the cape and arrive at Ushuaia at 8 pm, just in time for a final dinner reservation at one of the fancy restaurants on the boat. We’ll sleep on the boat and then head to the airport in the morning for the flight back to Buenos Aires. Most if not all of the guests will then head home, but we’ll be staying in Buenos Aires for another week so we can explore the city.