The balance-bending crossing of undulating Drake

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Ushuaia, Patagonia, Argentina
Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Note: Due to the nautical nature of this part of the journey, I shall attempt to write this blog entry in Piratese. That's not my first tongue, nor my second or third, but I'll do my best.
"Arrrrgh! 'Tis be the land-dinghy, awaiting to take you to the harrrbour of airrrborrne vessels" said the fellow at the other end of the pipe, "Be thee prepared?"
"Aye", I bellowed, and so sauntered yonder.
The tides were wrong for my flying ship, and so I embarked another vessel, sailing earlier than presumed.
At eight bells I reached the port of embarrrrkment, Ushuia, the southernmost city there is. At the galley, the king crab was served, and fine eating it was.
After inventory I set foot towards the supplies store, and many a wooly item was bought, preparing me for the cold winds and rough seas that lay ahead. Down to the harrrbour I struggled and embarked on the M/V Plancius, the finest sea-faring vessel there be. Flying the Dutch flag, her ice-strengthened hull were to carry me and a hundred mates south and south and south some more.
At six bells she set sail, leaving Ushuaia to saunter through the Beagle Channel before traversing the unforgiving Drake passage.
Storms were a-brewing, twenty knots the wind was blowing, and the sea was a harrrrrsh mistress. Leaving Cape Horn behind, the faces of landlubbers and seafarers alike bore a greenish tint.
Many a chore was on the roster, as the seasoned explorers lessoned the freshlings on all sorts of matters, be they wildlife, weather or wilderness explorations.
"Thaarrrrr she blows" bellowed the bearded, Scottish expedition leader Kelvin. And lo and behold, there in the rocky waves swam a pod of orcas. Killer whales, they arrrre known as, or Pandas of the sea. Majestically swimming in pace with the vessel, the pod of cetaceans was a sight to behold, but my camera was not as kind. Nor there.
Steady as she went, the Dutch dinghy steamed on rising and lowering with the unkind waves, until after days and nights the icebergs were seen on the horizon. Antarctica was reached, and the passage was crossed.
To summarrrrrrize: The vessel M/V Plancius sailed from Ushuaia and across the wavy waters of the Drake Passage, eventually reaching Antarctica.
Fun factoid: It is well-known, to those who know it well, that the Drake Passage is also known as the Drake Shake. The Drake Shake additionally being the traditional dance of the locals, as well as a drink (basically an eggnog from penguin eggs, on the rocks).

Pictures & Video

     
Beagle on the Beagle
Beagle on the Beagle
Beagle on the Beagle channel
M/V Plancius
M/V Plancius
The home and base, M/V Plancius
Oh captain, my captain
Oh captain, my captain
Steady as she goes
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