Antarctica to Zimbabwe – Day 41 – Silver Wind can be found here.
A second sleep-in day for us, which is almost unthinkable. We are now almost halfway into our trip and we are finally feeling caught up – with rest, writing and schoolwork. Just in time for a four day blitz of South Georgia.
We even go so far as to order room service this morning so that we can truly maximize the time at our disposal. The service continues to be exceptional. We place the order for delivery at 9:30 am, and it arrives promptly on time. Yes, we are missing berries and coffee but a quick mention to our butler and it’s brought up within about three minutes.
My wife and kids head off to Jess’s writing workshop, and I’m left to my own devices. This gives me enough time to finish the initial draft of the previous day’s post and then go swimming.
I’m still amazed that they have managed to keep the pool open throughout this South Atlantic crossing, but again we have had exceptional weather throughout. Swells remain close to 2 metres, which feels like barely more than a gentle sway – particularly after the Drake.
I spare a moment’s thought for the poor passengers on the Silver Cloud, where the Drake is expected to top 6 metres during their crossing. No fun at all.
During my swim, Captain Sasha comes by to ask how I’m enjoying it. “It’s a little cool,” I admit – due largely to our having crossed the Antarctic convergence into the much-cooler circumpolar current.
Captain Sasha gets a concerned look on his face and puts his hand in the water to check the temperature. I quickly clarify that it’s the wind and fog that are cold, not the pool itself – but it’s another example of the exceptional service provided aboard the Wind.
However, there is no getting around the fact that she is a 30-year-old ship, and starting to look tired in places. Various wooden wedges have been hammered into place in our stateroom to stop the groans and rattles, but I think most would agree it’s time for Silversea to shop about for a replacement.
I’ve heard rumours to the effect that the Silver Wind 2 and Silver Cloud 2 may be purchased at some point in the not-too-distant future. Silversea tends to prefer to purchase existing ships rather than design from scratch, and coincidentally Seabourn has a few unused expedition ships sitting around at the moment. Time will tell whether there’s any truth to such passenger gossip.
I swim for perhaps 30 minutes, enjoying the gentle slosh of the pool as it tilts from one side to the next along with the swells, and the dull waterfall roar that goes along with it. I then catch one of the Grill’s attendants and order myself a cappucino to enjoy in the hot tub, which is an even more pleasant temperature.
My wife texts to say that the workshop is wrapping up but that our room is still being cleaned – so I take the opportunity to try the Wind’s sauna and steamroom. I’d originally thought that these were pay-to-use, but it turns out that they are available for all guests over 18 years of age (16 if accompanied by an adult).
The spa area includes a full locker area, bathroom and shower with robes and towels:
And the steam room is small but suitably steamy:
Just the thing after many days of zodiac cruises and working hunched over a laptop.
Off to lunch, where they’re putting on an Italian buffet that I completely forgot to photograph. They had some nice veal and pesto pasta, however, as well as a dessert bar with melon and proscuitto. I do enjoy a delicious lemoncello tart, however, which I nearly crush with the tongs provided.
We then head to deck for our afternoon constitutional, where we hope to catch a glimpse of Shag Rock. The fog is quite heavy, however, and we are only passing within 2 nautical miles of the rocks.
Given that we were unable to see A23a when it was only a half knot away the odds are not in our favour.
But we do spot some other wildlife! Starting with some shags:
An Antarctic prion:
And a blue whale!
Eventually we clear off from Shag Rock and the wildlife recedes. The kids take the opportunity to head back to the room and catch up with friends, while I take a brief but well-deserved nap.
Off to trivia, where we handily take first place once more. I somehow recall the the leprechaun’s real job is that of shoemaker and that a group of squirrels is called a dray, while my son puts down May as the birthstone month for emerald.
Meanwhile, my wife and daughter stop in for tea at La Terrazza which was quite delicious. They have unique tea blends relative to what’s typically available on the ship, as well as wide selection of desserts:
We then head down the Shackleton lecture put on by Alex:
We’ve read Endurance so much of the story is familiar to us, but I’d highly recommend it for everyone.
For those not familiar – the famed Shackleton expedition intended to traverse the Antarctic continent but instead found their vessel beset by sea ice. They had to abandon ship and spent several months first trapped on ice flows and then on Elephant Island.
Shackleton and five crew members took one of the lifeboats across the Drake through terrible conditions to South Georgia, which they traversed overland in search of rescue. It took several months for a rescue party to get through, but in the end every single member of the crew was rescued without any fatalities.
Back to the room to change, and then off to the Show Lounge for the briefing. The plan for tomorrow is to land at Salisbury Plain to see the second largest king penguin colony.
We landed at Salisbury plain previously but only briefly due to an incoming storm. We’re very much hoping that we get up to see the colony itself, and the rare and elusive woolly penguin. (The king penguin chick, which scientists once thought were a separate species.)
Sara explores the marine life we’d seen to date, including the hourglass dolphin:
Jess runs through some South Georgia trivia, including some new questions to keep things interesting for the Pole-to-Capers:
Dennis provides some photography tips:
Specifically, he recommends shooting at the animal’s eye level, using negative space, shooting wide to show the environment, showing interaction between animals, and using reflections to create interesting shots.
Martin then gives an overview regarding prions, petrels and other birds we’d seen today:
Lastly – but certainly not least! – Greg plays an Irish tune on the bouzouki to help celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day:
It’s very well done indeed.
Off for dinner! I had the potato and onion croquettes:
My wife had smoked salmon rosettes:
My wife had the boiled brisket for her main course, which was very good:
And I had the halibut – which was fine, but I would have preferred the brisket:
Finally, for dessert I had the Irish cream cheesecake which was spectacular:
Busy day tomorrow so off for an early bedtime – though we won’t be out the door first thing, so that should help with the 4-day marathon that lays ahead!
Continue reading Antarctica to Zimbabwe – Day 43 – Silver Wind, South Georgia.