I hope this amazing community will allow me to indulge in a diary that isn’t super political. There are a few calls to actions that I hope people will help me with. I am currently in the middle of Antarctica on a ship that is taking us to learn more about this amazing continent. First and for most, I am NOT on the ship in Antarctica that has run into a rock. All is well.
My internet connection is via shipboard satellite and is very SLOW and very expensive. I could lose connection at anytime. For these reasons, I’m going to ask to please not load any pictures or videos.
I have loaded a few photos to give everyone an idea of what I’m seeing. If there is interest I can try to do this again before this trip is finished or I’ll do it after I return home.
Please check this great diary: Remarkable Change in Arctic Atmospheric Circulation: Have We Passed a Tipping Point?
Update: 4:05 local time: I'm back for a little bit after losing connection. I can't belive I'm on the Rec list! :) Thanks Folks :)
A commentor asked me to find her parents, we are on the same ship. I found them and told them Hi :)
I will post more pictures in another diary of baby penguins!
I will try and do another diary while I'm sailing across the Drake Passage. But if it was like coming down, you can forget it. :)
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My motivation: initially my motivation was to hit my 7th continent. I love to travel and have always made sacrifices in my life to allow me to see this little world. I love to learn more about different cultures and people. I happened to hit a perfect triangle of motivation, time and a huge discounted price.
As the day was approaching I was reading and learning more about this continent. My mind was blown when I arrived! It truly was surreal and a part of this earth that is amazing. While I am not a scientist I wanted to learn more about this area.
December 1: Embarkation
We boarded our ship in Ushuaia, Argentina in the afternoon. I had already met my roommate who an amiable chap is named Richard from Ireland. Once onboard, I immediately put on my anti-sea sickness bracelets. Everything was quite enjoyable and I settled in for a night’s sleep. I looked forward to two comfortable days of crossing the Drake Passage and getting to know my new shipmates.
Day 1: Sea Sickness thy name is the Drake Passage
I woke up to the sounds of waves hitting the ship causing it to tilt back and forth. Everything seemed fine and I took a brief shower to get ready for breakfast. While drying off I took off my bracelets to dry my wrists. 30 seconds later, WHAM! I was back in the bathroom and praying to Poseidon to make it stop. As soon as the first wave hit I took some Dramamine and went back to sleep for the rest of the day in my cabin.
Day 2: Sea Sickness thy name is the Drake Passage, part 2
After an interesting night of the ship rocking back and forth I awoke and immediately took Dramamine and went back to sleep. I dragged my sorry butt upstairs a few times to talk to my new friends but I didn’t last long before I retreated back to my cabin. That night was incredibly bad with the ship rocking back and forth, up and down, slamming into the ocean.
Day 3: Ice and Penguins at Devil’s Island
We finally awoke to a clear blue sky, calm waters and a steady ship. Best of all, no sea sickness! My god, life is good!
The first thing we did was "run aground" in the ice...I was worried we were going to have to walk to the rest of the way. Ok, he did this on purpose... :)
Luckily, the captain was able to get us out of the ice and we were able to head towards our first landing at a penguin rookery.
As you can see from this close-up they are nesting right now. Now, that looks like a lot of penguins...ummm...no.
Now, THAT is a lot of penguins. There are estimates that 100,000+ penguins inhabit this rookery. It is truly astonishing the vastness of the wildlife that lives here unhindered and untouched by man.
The cardinal rules:
- Don’t touch the wildlife.
- Stay 10+ feet away from them.
- If you stand still and they approach you, that is fine
- Never leave any trash
- Never, ever, EVER take anything away, no rocks, fossils, sticks, ANYTHING. The continent and islands must be preserved exactly the way they are today.
There was a little penguin that was left totally alone and exiled by the others. They wouldn’t let him play their penguin games. He asked if he could come home with me. I got special permission and he is now my companion and coming home.
Day 5: Paulette Island: yet more penguins!
We landed at another rookery to explore and see more penguins. We were pleasantly surprised to see seals lounging on the beach happily sunning. The animals have absolutely no fear of humans. They are more curious and intrigued of these huge animals that are landing near their homes.
My new friend told me that his rookery was overjoyed that Obama had been elected President. He was a huge fan! Unfortunately not everyone had received the news and some were quite inquisitive.
Things you can do to help
Donate to Organizations that lobby and work to protect wildlife and historic sites in the Polar Regions, such as:
World Wildlife Fund’s adopt a Polar Bear program
International Fund for Animal Welfare
Antarctic Heritage Trust (UK)
Advocate for environmentally friendly practices
At your place of work
In your business
Where you shop
Where you live
Inform your government representatives
Challenge them to enact environmentally friendly legislation
Ask them to support iniatives to lower carbon emissions
Reduce your personal environmental impact
Consuming less carbon fuels
Reducing the amount of garbage you generate
Supporting reforestation in your community
Reusing and recycling
A few of my favorite photos so far:
The wildlife is truly unafraid of us. He is just looking up at her as if to say, "hey, what kind of monkey are you and what are you doing here?"
Notice the Obama button I was wearing. :)