January 1, 2018

   New Year’s Day 2018 was the tenth day at sea of the cruise.  The morning temperature was 11°C, sunny with a thin skim of clouds and a few horizon clouds, the wind was northwest at 45 km/hour and the waves were about two meters as the ship cruised at 20 knots, still making up time from the four-hour delay departing Stanley yesterday.

   After breakfast, the Antarctica Expedition Team lecture given by Gabriela Roldan was called “Falklands to you, Malvinas to Me” explaining how Argentina believes that it has a valid claim to the Falkland Islands, one of the reasons that the 1982 Argentine military dictatorship invaded “their” Malvina islands. The Falklands War started on April 2, with the Argentine invasion, and lasted 74 days before the Argentine general signed the surrender papers. The Argentine’s military never expected Britain to send a military task force to recapture the Falkland Islands.

    After the presentation, we met Jan and Doug for a game of Canasta. At the shops, there was a sale on penguin merchandise that was supposed to have be held last evening but since the ship did not leave Port William Bay until after 10 and with the New Year’s Eve parties were being held, the sale was postponed to this morning. The shops and casino cannot open while the ship is in a port. Then we walked on Deck 3 for an hour, in the sunshine sometimes interrupted by the thin layer of cloud.  Steps 9,269.

    After lunch, Bonnie, the port guide gave a talk about the next two ports Puerto Madryn, Argentina, and Montevideo, Uruguay.  It was flowed by the Antarctica Expedition Team member, Dr. Peter Carey’s lecture, “How to Fix an ecosystem: A First-Hand Account of island restoration”. The website for the restoration project is www.subantarctic.com or www.facebook.com/subantarctic.

      Tonight’s dinner choices were: Appetizers – Two Lettuce Niçoise, Crab & shrimp Ceviche and Cream of Asparagus Soup; then entrees of Roasted Chicken with sausage cornbread stuffing and potato wedges and Chef’s Salad. Finally, for dessert we chose Pineapple Sundae and Dulce de Leche Cookie Dough Cheesecake.

    Tonight’s entertainment in the Mondriaan Lounge was the group Emperors of Soul which entertained a few days ago.

    The sun is setting earlier as we travel north. Tonight at latitude 45.05° south, the sun set at 9:02 p.m. sliding beneath the low cloud.

Final Steps 11,552