February 25,

I awoke again with Chad announcing stuff. It was 0600! It seems we have arrived at Elephant Island. This is where Shackleton’s group arrived in four small boats.

Jeff went on up to the Dome. I readied and went up as well as many passengers of the ship. I arrived just in time. A thick fog was rolling in and within ten minutes had enveloped the island, hiding it from view! Natalia shared the story of Shackleton and his 28 member crew. Our boat moved on as she related history. The men arrived here because winds carried them here. They had intended to only go to Paulet Island because there were supplies there. But the current and the wind didn’t allow it. As soon as they landed on Elephant Island bad weather hit them. They moved to Point Wild, further around on Elephant Island, for a bit better protection and ate a whole Elephant Seal they roasted. It was the first, real meal that they eaten – that had filled their bellies for quite awhile. Then Shackleton asked for volunteers to go to South Georgia – everyone put in to go. But he only chose six – the best that most likely could endure. The other 22 – he left with three small boats for their shelter, and a promise to return for them. After around 120 days, Shackleton was able to return and rescue them(after three failed attempts).

Our yacht pulled into Point Wild at this time. We saw the memorial of a bust of, named after the Chilean Captain that Shackleton hired to rescue his men. It was situated in a flat area, that Shackleton’s men existed for those 120 days. Our Captain pulled as close as he could go. We could just make out the memorial and the penguins that have reclaimed the area. Just to the right, beside the memorial was a massive glacier wedged in between two mountains, making for a dramatic setting to be stranded…if they could even think on such things, when your life is in limbo!

We left and now we go to sea for the remainder of our cruise. The yacht was completely engulfed in fog as we start making the journey. We went to breakfast. Choosing light buffet items. Once we finished, we went back to our room. I blogged and Jeff read. At ten we went to two lectures: one on Pinnipeds, Seals of the Antarctica, given by Alex; and then one on Hidden Antarctica, given by Nic- talking about mosses and tardigrades, which are crazy, weird, very small invertebrates.

After the two lectures we went back to our room and ordered lunch as room service. We shared a Chicken Wrap with fries and a peanut butter brownie, while watching Frozen Planet given by David Attenborough. Then at 1400, I went to a painting class given by Viktoria, who had painted a great picture, superimposed on a map of Antarctica. It was fantastic and is to be auctioned off with the proceeds going in a crew fund! At 1500, Jeff went to the last lecture, on Whaling Stations, given by Flor. I was sad to have missed Flor’s lecture, but glad to have done the painting- it was a Gentoo Penguin. I finished a bit early and went up to the Dome, and blogged as the weather was not allowing a view. There’s a gentle rocking motion but Jeff and I continue to not be affected. Jeff joined me after the lecture.

At 1800, we had the Briefing and Recap with three mini lectures. One on the Chilean Captain by Hans. Second on Babies in Antarctica, given by Anastasia. This was fun because it on 11 human babies that were born here (three from Chile & eight from Argentina)!! Third and last lecture was Sarah on The Ice Memory Project, protecting ice core samples. Then Chad briefed us in tomorrow’s schedule. At 1830, we had the Captain’s Farewell. The Captain said we had done 3,200 nautical miles; six days in the Drake Passage- will do total of eight; and had 12 operations anticipated and completed!

Then dinner. The starters of French Onion Soup, and Falafel with sweet potato puree and Chanterelle mushrooms. For the mains: Fried Whole Quail with Chinese savory & sweet sauce and boiled quail eggs; Black Angus Chateaubriand with foie gras sauce asparagus and truffle mashed potato. The night ended with a Crew Talent Show. I went but Jeff did not. Renata, Cruise Director sang, In other words I love you, and Wonderful World; Adrian Food producer sang, 16 Tons. A female (I didn’t get her name) Restaurant Staff, did a Balinese dance; Adolfor, Inventory Controller solved a Rubik’s cube- 2 handed in 45 seconds, and then 1 handed in 64 seconds. Wilson, Restaurant Staff sang, La Bomba; David, bartender sang a song he wrote of love gone wrong, hilarious; John Carlo, Restaurant staff sang a song by John Legend, Save a Little?; and Crazy Little Thing Called Love by Queen; Jorge, Restaurant staff, did the Tequila song; Sheila (who knows everyone’s name on board!) sang APT with joining in John Carlo. Then some with the audience did the Macarena. During this show they had a raffle with prices and a bid on the painting done by Victoria that went for $3,000 (that money was a donation for staff emergency fund, and was compensated with a $3,000 credit on Atlas voyages for future cruises.)
What a day!