Friday, 17 January, 2014
We have been most fortunate with the weather during this amazing adventure. As we awoke this morning we found ourselves nearing the isolated and desolate Cape Horn at the very end of the continent of South America. We were cautioned to be prepared for high winds, high seas and likely rain. Instead we stepped out into blue skies with a few clouds, very calm seas, a chill in the breeze, but still 40F for an outside temperature, and no rain. The captain told us all that these are the best conditions he has ever encountered on his many trips to this remote part of the world. How lucky we have been, even with the promise of a beautiful rainbow between the ship and the Cape. We were also told that we experienced the clearest and closest views of Cape Horn than all previous Holland America cruises because of the calm seas and clear weather. The Captain even made the comment to everyone that "someone must be looking out for us" on this particular cruise.
All of the pictures attached in today's blog are of Cape Horn and the local environs. Unlike popular photos and postcards, the actual Cape is the lower hill-like formation with the buildings on it. Those buildings are a manned Chilean military and weather station. There's also a beautiful monument erected to memorialize the many hundreds of mariners that never made it through these waters. How they would have wished for conditions even remotely close to what we've been so lucky to have the entire cruise up to this point. So now we're headed into the dreaded Drake Passage, and will be for another 600 or so miles. The high seas that we were warned to be prepared for have not materialized, and every one is perfectly fine with that. Sometime tonight we will cross over the 60 degree mark of latitude and enter Antarctic waters. By morning, we will likely begin to encounter sea ice. The further south we go, the more likely we'll see icebergs, whales, sea lions, and the amazing Albatross with its 9-12 foot wing span. I actually saw one this morning flying alongside the ship for a few minutes. I was so totally mesmerized by its gracefulness that I forgot to pull out my video camera. We should have the chance many more times. Pilot whales and penguins have also been spotted since we left Cape Horn.
So we just had dinner..... AGAIN. We started with a citrus fruit platter and smoked salmon appetizers, then chilled raspberry soup. Marla's entree was oriental crab stuffed noodles, and I had a perfectly grilled New York strip steak. Marla enjoyed a pineapple sorbet for dessert, and I am swearing off on desserts for a few days. I actually passed up on pralines and cream ice cream.... my very favorite. I FEEL the need to cut back just a little bit .
We're looking forward to a good night's sleep and awakening to an icy new world in the morning. We're also eager to receive notice from our daughter Juli and her husband Brannick advising us on the status of her delivery. She is in labor as we write this and is supposed to be having a baby today, our 14th grand child. We're praying that all goes well and we can't wait to see the pictures. Have a wonderful night, and tomorrow we'll be reporting to you from Antarctica!!!
Love you all,
Tom and Marla
We have been most fortunate with the weather during this amazing adventure. As we awoke this morning we found ourselves nearing the isolated and desolate Cape Horn at the very end of the continent of South America. We were cautioned to be prepared for high winds, high seas and likely rain. Instead we stepped out into blue skies with a few clouds, very calm seas, a chill in the breeze, but still 40F for an outside temperature, and no rain. The captain told us all that these are the best conditions he has ever encountered on his many trips to this remote part of the world. How lucky we have been, even with the promise of a beautiful rainbow between the ship and the Cape. We were also told that we experienced the clearest and closest views of Cape Horn than all previous Holland America cruises because of the calm seas and clear weather. The Captain even made the comment to everyone that "someone must be looking out for us" on this particular cruise.
All of the pictures attached in today's blog are of Cape Horn and the local environs. Unlike popular photos and postcards, the actual Cape is the lower hill-like formation with the buildings on it. Those buildings are a manned Chilean military and weather station. There's also a beautiful monument erected to memorialize the many hundreds of mariners that never made it through these waters. How they would have wished for conditions even remotely close to what we've been so lucky to have the entire cruise up to this point. So now we're headed into the dreaded Drake Passage, and will be for another 600 or so miles. The high seas that we were warned to be prepared for have not materialized, and every one is perfectly fine with that. Sometime tonight we will cross over the 60 degree mark of latitude and enter Antarctic waters. By morning, we will likely begin to encounter sea ice. The further south we go, the more likely we'll see icebergs, whales, sea lions, and the amazing Albatross with its 9-12 foot wing span. I actually saw one this morning flying alongside the ship for a few minutes. I was so totally mesmerized by its gracefulness that I forgot to pull out my video camera. We should have the chance many more times. Pilot whales and penguins have also been spotted since we left Cape Horn.
So we just had dinner..... AGAIN. We started with a citrus fruit platter and smoked salmon appetizers, then chilled raspberry soup. Marla's entree was oriental crab stuffed noodles, and I had a perfectly grilled New York strip steak. Marla enjoyed a pineapple sorbet for dessert, and I am swearing off on desserts for a few days. I actually passed up on pralines and cream ice cream.... my very favorite. I FEEL the need to cut back just a little bit .
We're looking forward to a good night's sleep and awakening to an icy new world in the morning. We're also eager to receive notice from our daughter Juli and her husband Brannick advising us on the status of her delivery. She is in labor as we write this and is supposed to be having a baby today, our 14th grand child. We're praying that all goes well and we can't wait to see the pictures. Have a wonderful night, and tomorrow we'll be reporting to you from Antarctica!!!
Love you all,
Tom and Marla
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