December 29, 2008-December 30, 2008
Gorgeous scenery yesterdat on the way to the Beagle Channel with lots of glaciers! Today was Ushuaia, Argentina, a small city of 40,000 people nestled at the foot of the end of the Andes mountains. The downtown is one tourist gift shop after another, but the Beagle Channel lies at its harbor and is a haven for wild life. We took a shore excursion "Beagle channel by Catamaran" and the weather was sunny and cold. We were able to get very close to sea lions and lots of different sea birds. The plan was that at 5 pm we were to set sail for Antarctica. The Captain made an announcement that he anticipated rough seas in the Drake Passage and that we should take precautions against sea sickness and to make sure that everything that could fall down in our cabins were stowed.We were at our table during late seating when the seas really became active. The water was hitting the windows of the dining room with enormous force and the ship was both pitching and rolling. We left our table optomistic that we would pass through the worst of the weather at night and be much closer to Antarctica tomorrow. David slept through all the pitching and yawling, I was up until after 2 am. It was rolling and shuddering greater than I have ever experienced. Finally, I fell asleep and woke again at about 5 am. The seas were relatively calm and I thought great, we have passed through the worst of the weather. We looked out the window again at 8 am when we finally got up, and saw islands that looked very familiar. We turned on the TV to the information channel and instead of mileage to Palmer Station, Antarctica, it had the mileage to Ushuaia. I called the operator to ask if this was an error and he informed me that "Unfortunately, we have had to return to Ushuaia for a security issue." We waited for the Captain's announcements at 9 am and he told everyone that a huge wave had hit the starboard side of the ship and blown out the windows in three cabins. Fortunately, the passengers only suffered minor injuries and they have all be relocated to other cabins. Howevere, we had to return to Ushuaia in order to repair the windows and damage to the cabins. At this point, we don't know if he will reattempt Antarctica. Of course we are dissappointed, but it is quite obvious that nature makes the decisions down here! The important thing is that we made it safely back to Ushuaia and that the people are doing fine. But can you imagine be woken by a wall of water rushing into your room with a huge roar??? I have heard that all their clothing and belongings were ruined by the salt water. We are anchored in Ushuaia currently, but it is too rough to tender in. The Powers That Be in Ushuaia have given permission for our shops and the casino to be open.
I will report more as I learn the future plans.
Love,
Limbo Girl