On the Polar Star to Antarctica

Trip Start Oct 09, 2008

Trip End Nov 28, 2008

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Flag of Argentina Ushuaia, Patagonia, Argentina
Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Have a very nice cabin with an opening window on the Antarctic boat. It's a retired ice breaker so rocks and rolls and makes Tim sick. Apparently I'm a 'Old Salty Sea Dog' because I haven't been sick. The Dr on board recommends the patches, which are the only motion sickness drugs she charges for...Cynics might say... Gave me severely blurred vision (corrected Tim's!) but both made it through the force 9 on the Beaufort Wind Strength Scale winds. That's 41-47 knots, 76-87 km/hr, "Strong Gale" to the uninitiated. 12 is a hurricane.

Ship time is spent with talks, we have onboard geologist, glaciologist, ornithologist (who was a photographer with Attenborough), marine biologist, penguinologist and numerous other ologists who I've forgotten. And a historian. They also showed 'Happy Feet'(?why? Only really cheesy thing they've done). 85 passengers, no cruisey type stuff-although we do have a happy hour each day. Not entirely necessary as we left port with 4 litres of wine, hip flasks of vodka, cherry, lemon, and chocolate liqueurs, and, because-Tim decided we needed the 'free' accompanying shot glasses- 2x700ml bottles of liqueurs. Food is also scrummy and plentiful, but I fear there shall be rioting when the fresh fruit runs out. Apparently the first 10 days are planned meals, and the rest are thrown together from the remaining stock. May even be able to tell you which variety of penguin is most palatable by the time I can actually send this from back in port.

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