Page 10 - Seniorstoday January 2023 Issue

course to allow for food to not fly off plates. expedition team.
This hurricane claimed two victims. One, FUN FACT: Ivan, the young and
a 120 kg + and well over 6 feet busted his handsome chef had more than a couple of
ribs – he was thrown across the mezzanine. youngsters giving him the glad eye!!
The other broke his leg. He remained in
plaster and on crutches for the remainder Day 6
of the trip. Sunday – 30 October
FACTOID: Wind Force – 6, Sea state - rough
27 Nationalities on board Heading towards South Georgia
Total No of passengers - 80
Total No of Crew - 50

Day 5
Saturday, 29th October
Wind force – 8, Sea – very rough
At Scotia Sea

First ice floes
Though the worst was over, the seas were
still rough. The ship had crossed the
Antarctic Convergence (i.e., the biological
boundary of Antarctica) at night. We woke
up to Albatross, Petrels, Sootys swooping
and diving around us – a visual delight.
Wandering Albatross The Ortelius was now in whale friendly
A combination of force 8 winds with 6.6˚C waters and it wasn’t long before whale
air temperature, drove wind chill factor blows were spotted. Unfortunately, at a
to -0˚C, with the waves slamming our distance, and very fleeting glimpses of
portholes on deck 5 at night. However, the females with calves were caught.
good news was that wind speed would A frisson of excitement ran through the
drop through the day and with the swell passengers as people started spotting their
too, would ease. However, all decks, first tiny ice-floes. Around 4pm, we passed
excepting deck 6 would remain closed for Shag Rocks with their awesome ragged
safety reasons. peaks.
To protect biodiversity and to avoid
introduction of any invasive plants
or animals, laws in South Georgia are
extremely strict. Every piece of outerwear
– boots, waterproof pants, jackets and
backpacks had to be cleaned by us with
brushes and paper clips to dislodge the
tiniest bits of mud, grass or seeds. All of
our cleaned equipment was vetted by the Shag Rocks

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