I had always been comforted by the soothing motion of a rocking chair or swing, which might have explained why I felt so at ease riding the waves of the Drake Passage on a small ship from Ushuaia to Antarctica. The last morning off the continent, after spending four unforgettable days exploring harbors, islands, and the rugged land of the seventh continent, I found myself in the ship’s library. Sitting in a captain’s chair, I watched the waves, sipped a cappuccino, and savored my final moments in Antartica.
The swivel chair beside me glided back and forth in sync with the waves, as if there was another presence sharing that serene morning with me. I loved rising early, being the first in the library or on the viewing deck, where I could reflect on that incredible journey—or expedition, as they called it. My heart was full from the wonderful people I had met and the magnificent natural wonders now etched in my memory forever. Once again, I paused to appreciate how fortunate I was to explore the world. I grounded myself in gratitude, never taking that privilege for granted.
Highlighted below are some key moments from the Drake Passage to our first glimpse of the continent, our walk on the continent to observe the penguin colonies and the stunning landscapes, as well as the ship's logs.
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Drake Passage
Approaching Land
Sights along the way
Our hike on the continent to penguin colonies
Just for fun
Slide show prepared by Quark
Ships log and data:
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