January 17 Crossing the Drake Passage

 

The refuelling ship

This morning when we woke and threw back the curtains, we looked straight into another ship – what a surprise. This is not the Drake Passage!? We were tethered to a refuelling vessel at Puerto Williams part way along the Beagle Channel.  It seems that the strong winds prevented the refuelling ship tethering during the evening.  The Passage still awaited us.

Puerto Williams

There are 4 life boats on board as well as other vessels. These can each seat 115.

The day was taken up with all manner of ‘expeditionary housekeeping’ matters – zodiac safety, activity groups, polar plunging instructions, the mandatory lifeboat drill etc. A few put up their hands to do the polar plunge including us and in the end it looks like 26 are planning this icy madness. As it turned out the ship’s Doctor gave me the thumbs down – a small matter of a tiny blockage in a mirror cardiac vessel which I have had for over 20 years and 2 polar plunges. Hmph … so in the absence of that little excitement one turns to food – but of course.

Sila - our favourite restaurant on Deck 9 offers floor to ceiling panorama views.

The Blue Lagoon pool, restaurant and bar. Great place for a snack

Each afternoon a delicious often themed 'tea' is served on Deck 5 with French pastries always on Deck 9 

The food at least this night is as you would expect on a French ship – impressive.  First night I had a delicious Beef Wellington. Our restaurant of choice is Sila which in the Inuit language means 'sky' and it definitely lived up to its name. The view was glorious.  The more formal dining room is called Nuna which means 'earth'.  Afternoon tea is served at 4-5pm daily and it’s a delight - croissants, madeleines, flans, waffles - and other delicacies. All served with bubbles or French cider.  And there’s always the cocktail of the day; all the alcohol on the ship is included in the price of your voyage (except for top shelf labels which is fine with us) and to get to the cocktail or other drinks of the day (or other distractions), we ride the elevator. What’s the significance of that you might wonder? It is quite a stunning experience. 

In the reception area the artwork is playing in sync with that in the lift atrium

In the evening we are entertained with a variety of live ‘background’ music played by one or two musicians - piano, sax, guitar, harp and vocals.  The harp is delightful. A most unusual instrument to play South American music but it works so well.