Blog 20th Dec.
And so all good things must come to end.. even aboard the Ocean Tramp. Having spent another blustery night ( 35 knots ) at anchor in Potters Cove on the south east side of Maxwell Bay, it was time to make the short hop of 10 NM to our final destination at Frei Station, King Georges Island. Our Final destination for this trip at least, as this is where the airstrip is located and where the two our flight for our guests back to Chile will begin the following day. As if signaling a final goodbye, two humpbacks appeared on our port bow as we left the anchorage, slapping their tails cheerfully then diving for the depths below. The skipper took it as a sign of good luck and persevered through the fog for ‘home’.
As far as first trips go, this was a good one. Blue skys and light winds prevailed for almost 2 weeks on the peninsula. The ice was fair to Ocean Tramp and allowed her passage almost unhindered. Penguins, Skua, Elephant seals, Fur seals, Crab Eater seals, some more penguins with newly hatched offspring sheltering wisely below their parents from the cold, Humpback whales, Sei whales, yet more penguins, Orca, Orca chasing penguins, Albatross, Petrel and did I mention penguins? They were all there, surprising and delighting all aboard every single time they allowed us a look into their world. What a privilege to be amongst all of this and to share it with such a gracious and friendly bunch of Ocean Tramps!
I would like to think that they have all become Antarctic Ambassadors, and will spread the word about the beauty and genuine fragility of this place to anyone who will listen. Perhaps playing a small but important part in ensuring that this ‘White’ continent remains as pristine and wild as it always has been and always should be.
For us, it begins again and we set off for another two weeks with a new set of ‘Ocean Tramps’.. lets see if the weather holds!
Fair winds, following seas… and maybe a few more penguins!
Dave ( Skipper )