Page 7 - Seniorstoday January 2023 Issue
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DAY 1 lifeboat drill on Deck 6.
Tuesday, 25 October Clear warnings were issued that not
Wind Force – 1, Sea state – calm following safety procedures could result
Embarkation at Puerto Madryn in injury or serious falls. And as our route
did not make it feasible for air-rescue, the
ship would have to return to base. Which
would be the end of the journey for all.
The day closed on a glorious sunset as we
made our way towards the Puerto Madryn
narrows and the open South Atlantic
Ocean. We were about to enter a belt
known as the “Roaring Forties”.
The Ortelius
Our ship, the “Ortelius” was an ex-Russian DAY 2
ice-breaker, retrofitted into a passenger Wednesday, 26 October
ship. Opposite our ship was anchored the Wind Force – 3, Sea state – slight swell
‘National Geographic’ liner – far more At Sea
luxurious than ours. But, which, due to Days on ships began early, with a “Good
its size, would not be able to access the Morning” call booming over the tannoy
smaller islands and allow for passengers at 7 a.m. Post a well laid-out breakfast
to go ashore to them, as could our smaller in the single restaurant on Deck 4, all
ship. Apprehensive excitement was passengers filed into the Lecture Room on
palpable all around as we joined the other Deck 3 for briefings on how to board and
passengers on the docks. We hauled exit the zodiacs – the rafts that would take
ourselves up an extremely steep gangway us ashore to various islands. How to grip
into the bowels of the ship to register crew hands while boarding and exiting
ourselves and complete formalities. the zodiacs, how to don our life jackets and
Anchor lifted at 17.30 – and we were off. layer our clothes including wet suits and
Our adventure had begun. My cabin-share muck boots were taught.
partner, Urvi Piramal and I entered our Post these briefings and lunch, most
cabin on Deck 5 – and looked at each other passengers moved between the various
in despair. Our 6 ++ bags covered the entire
space. A slim cupboard to be shared by us
both, a small cabinet and meagre bedside
tables completed our storage space. Add
a small bathroom. This was to be our
home for the next 21 days. All our clothes,
heavy winter wear, boots, food and camera
equipment crammed into these tiny spaces.
Soon the tannoy boomed out loud, calling
all pax to the lecture room on Deck 3 for
briefings regarding safety guidelines and
procedures. Followed by a mandatory Bar cum Library cum lecture room
SENIORS TODAY | ISSUE #43 | JANUARY 2023 7
