11/23/2007

Drake Passage, At sea

At 10 o'clock came the first sign that our so-successful cruise is coming to an end. Cruise Director Jannie Cloete gave the important, if unwelcome, briefing about the arrangements and procedures that will enable a smooth disembarkation and onward travel after our arrival at Ushuaia.

Then there was a bonus lecture from fellow traveller Dr Paul Cragg on 'How Whales and Seals stay underwater longer than us'. He revealed the physiological and behavioural tricks for long dives which include having large oxygen stores and the economical use of these stores.

During the afternoon, Explorer II came into the shelter of land and started up the Beagle Channel. Towards midnight the lights of Ushuaia came in sight and so ended our cruise aboard Explorer II. We will leave tomorrow to go our separate ways – perhaps to meet again aboard one day. We have pictures, videos, journals and most importantly vivid memories of a land almost too magical and captivating to describe.