The Polar Plunge!

And so to the moment of madness! Almost since we arrived, there has been an expectant air amongst the guests, as we tried to figure out who was brave ( or crazy) enough to jump into the Antarctic Sea! There was never a doubt but that myself and some of my pals, would only be noisy spectators!

Medical clearance and waiver forms had to be signed and submitted in advance and participants were asked to ensure they wore some form of clothing under their bathrobes!!!! Tbe mind boggles as to how some guests presented in the past!!!

At 5pm when most of the Zodiacs had been tied down on board again, waiting for the next stage of the journey, the PA announced the Polar Plunge was about to happen!! Those weaklings, including yours truly, got ourselves a drink and positioned ourselves somewhere with a good view of this bizarre entertainment. Approx 50 passengers braved the deep, including three of our pals

A lady from Oz whom we have met, was determined to perform and so she did! We cheered her from above, as we did our one brave Irish lady and a chap from UK who has become one of our drinking buddies! By the way, they are all tethered to a harness so as soon as they hit the water, the guys on tbe platform haul them back in!!!

Needless to say all of this success required a great degree of celebration and so it was.Now, let me tell you there are 4 restaurants on the Ship, three of which are beautifully appointed, silver service and excellent food. The fourth is outside, on the 8th Deck, beside the swimming pool ( yes, I did say swimming pool, not used a lot!) And you cook your own meal on a hot stone!

So, yes, you have guessed it, that’s where 6 of us decided to dine to celebrate our three brave ( mad) pals! The wind blew, the mist came down, the gale roared and everyone, including the waiting staff, were dressed in our full wet storm gear and did we celebrate!!!

That night the ship rocked and rolled towards Charcot Bay where we were to have our last Zodiac ride. Sadly however, we had fallen foul of the weather Gods and due to huge swells, and high winds, there were no more Zodiac rides! When I looked out my window, all I could sea was packed ice floating everywhere. I have since been told this is known as Pancake Ice and had fallen off icebergs into tbe Sea. The ship slowed as it steered its way through it.

We were now beginning to head North along the Peninsula, eventually entering the dreaded Drake Passage. From now until we reach Port we will be on board. A series of Lectures are running daily, all fascinating, and ranging from one crew member telling us about the year she spent working in the Post Office in Port Lockery to Dave from NZ telling us about the Madhouse Expedition! There are a wide selection of different topics, ranging from Mammals, to Photography, to Penguin Poo, yes. I am serious! All helping our greater understanding of this magical unique Continent.

Yesterday, in the Observation lounge, many of the team were there with powerful binoculars trying to find Whales for us. Yes, they were there but huge distances away, too far for me to see. It was our first chance to relax and contemplate the magnificence of this wonderful Continent through which we were travelling. To think about and appreciate its enormity, its climate and its isolation, is to try and understand in some small way, how important it is, that everyone of us, feels a sense of responsibility for this Planet of ours.