Since the group was mainly English or Spanish speakers with a tour group of French speakers with their own interpreter, we were divided by languages on where we would meet to start the disembarkation. For every time we get off the ship, we will alternate which group goes first. This morning, we were in the second group that was going to go to Cape Horn. Here is a snippet of information on Cape Horn from Wikipedia: """"Cape Horn (Dutch:
Kaap Hoorn (help·info), Spanish: Cabo de Hornos), named after the city of Hoorn in the Netherlands, is the southernmost headland of the Tierra del Fuego archipelago of southern Chile, and is located on the small Hornos Island. Although not the most southerly point of South America (which are the Diego Ramírez Islands), Cape Horn marks the northern boundary of the Drake Passage and marks where the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans collide. For decades it was a major milestone on the clipper route, by which sailing ships carried trade around the world. The waters around Cape Horn are particularly hazardous, owing to strong winds, large waves, strong currents and icebergs; these dangers have made it notorious as a sailors' graveyard.""""
Our ship was rocking and rolling. There were some decidedly green looking people sitting in the lounge waiting and preying to get off the ship. We were still walking with a list as we traversed the decks and climbed the stairs, holding on tightly, to the upper deck lounge which was our point. We'd all been out on the deck taking photos and it was dang cold and windy and wet. But I couldn't stand the heat by staying inside in my long underwear until it was our turn so we were trying to see what we could by running in and out and generally getting in the way until we were banished to our lounge until it was our turn.
Unfortunately, it was not to be. The crew had headed into the shore with their equipment which included a portion of the dock that we use to disembark. They couldn't land their zodiac. If the crew can't do it, and they do it all the time, the Captain made the wise decision, albeit very disappointing decision for us, to abort the landing. As he made the announcement, he said he would stay in the area as long as possible in case the waves and wind would abate but it did not. So instead of getting to walk on Cape Horn and climb up to the Albatross Monument and see the lighthouse and keeper's house, we had to settle for him steering the ship around the Cape so that at least we did get to circumnavigate Cape Horn which is something that is difficult and not many people do anymore, not since the Panama Canal was completed. Another for maybe next time.
Off to breakfast which had fewer people taking part than last night's dinner. The next stop will be Wulaia Bay where we should be able to get on the island and hike up for viewpoints across the islands and Channel. There was to be a presentation of what we might expect to see when we get there. My hubby and I got to the presentation early and sat right in front of the screen so we wouldn't miss a thing. Alas, the poor presenter/crew member who had so much valuable and interesting information must have suspected we were all drugged - and many of us were with Dramamine and a good breakfast. I struggled to stay awake. My hubby lost the struggle early. And when I looked behind me, a good many people were snoozing. What I did hear and see on the plants and birds and such was quite interesting. Surely she's been there all season and had people Dramamine sleep through her lectures before but she was getting a bit testy towards the end and started skipping slides. I think. I might have slept through them.
We are in protected waters by the time we reach the bay so not a problem to get in the zodiacs and head to shore. My hubby and I are in the last boat somehow and our group had already left by the time we got onshore. We tried to catch up but they were already climbing the hill and we got about half way up the hill and since we'd not had a break since we hit the beach, hubby decided that was enough for him and we went back downhill. There was a museum there so we visited it and then waited for the zodiacs to return so we could go back to the ship. That took awhile as they had to wait for all the groups to get back to the beach as the crew were busy leading the hikes. So Wulaia Bay was OK but not so wonderful either. Still feeling the sting of missing Cape Horn and still feeling effects of Dramamine.
Tonight we have another excellent meal and a presentation of tomorrow's activities which will be heading towards Cockburn Channel, going into De Agostini Sound and walking to the Aguila Glacier. that will be awesome, I am sure. Love glaciers.
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