Drake Passage. Friday, February 8

Sea day through Drake Passage.  A little rocking and rolling but not bad.  Various required briefings for Antarctica landing.  IAATO and zodiac briefings.  Bio security to make sure we’re not bringing any dirt or plants from our clothes onto land.  Our first briefings about landing in Antarctica.

·        They try to keep you busy with lectures, etc.  On retrospect, I’m fine that I didn’t go to many.  But I should have watched more of them on the TV.  

·        Ambien to sleep last night because of the motion, especially the shuddering.  End up sleeping very well, from 1130 till 830

·        Have coffee at Observation Bar which is 4 stories directly over us.  They have Keurig.  At some point on trip I see Roland instructing staffer to get more caffeinated pods..

·        Morning mandatory lecture on tourism rules for Antarctica.  Run by Chris Srigley.

·        Try to jog but the motion is too challenging for stability.  You’re either running up hill or down and the downs have you racing towards the front of the machine.

·        MJP and I meet for lunch at 1 but are turned away at Colonnade.  Don’t want to eat outdoors for a 3rd day because of cold.  Walk out and go to The Restaurant.  Invited to share table with couple we don’t know and then with couple from MJP trivia.  Decline

·        Afternoon bio check of clothing done by Colin the photog guy.  They are so organized.  We’re called for a time grouping.  Various staff are inspecting at the same time.  Most of our stuff is new so we pass easily.

·        OBS bar again.  Share 2 drinks and finish Shackleton book.

·        630pm briefing.  This is the start of the evening briefings that pretty much everyone attends.  They have waiters taking drink orders throughout.  My ritual becomes grab a can of tonic water.  I look around and suspect that there are more people with mobility issues (cane, walker) than there are people younger than us.  Later hear that there’s a couple where both have mobility issues and so in Antarctica (they are staying in a suite) they are given a daily private zodiac tour.

·        Dinner we want to have pizza in room and watch Bohemian Rhapsody.  Can’t get pizza so have club sandwiches.  Room service poor.  Doesn’t call back to advise MJP about how/when to order in future.  When I call at 7 they say will call back in a minute.  I have to call after 10 minutes.  Told 20-25 minutes for room service.  Takes 40.  Picking up tray takes 20.