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Day
One - 4th December - Setting Sail
The Beginning of Everything
Ushuaia is a city of about 45,000 people lying at a latitude corresponding
with northern Scotland and scenically it is similar to the western
Highlands, with rugged, snow-capped mountains, extensive forests and
great fjords. Being there at the beginning of December meant that
the day-length and climate were similar to those of northern Scotland
in early June.
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Ushuaia
- view from the quay
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Emblazoned
on the harbour wall are the words "Ushuaia: the end of the
world; the beginning of everything". Having hoped to one day
make this trip this somehow seemed to encapsulate our sense of anticipation
as the Ioffe slipped her mooring that evening and eased into the
Beagle Channel.
Akedemik
Ioffe
The Ioffe is a quiet, warm and comfortable vessel and she is kept
in immaculate condition by her Russian crew. Meals are taken in
a communal dining hall, which doubles as the lecture theatre, and
there is a bar, a lounge and a library. In addition, passengers
are allowed access to the ship's bridge and its outside wings, which
allow for a commanding view. Access is also permitted to the other
decks so there is always somewhere available from which to enjoy
the view, take in some fresh air and look out for birds and other
wildlife.
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Akedemik
Ioffe
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Setting
Sail
The first evening saw us sailing east from Ushuaia along the Beagle
Channel on our way to the South Atlantic and the notorious Drake
Passage, which separates South America from the Antarctic Peninsula.
The conditions were calm as we cruised along this stretch of water,
with Argentina on our port (left hand) side and Chile on our starboard
(right hand) side, but we wondered what the Drake Passage would
have in store for us as we settled into our cabin for the night
after a lifeboat drill, the introductory talk by our expedition
leader, Bill Davis, and the first of many delicious dinners.
Day
2 - The Drake Passage »
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