The two days are combined, as they were 2 days at sea without cruising or landings. We travelled back to Ushuaia through the Dark Passage. Everyone who had felt sick on the outward journey through the Dark Passage now took precautions. Admittedly, I also took a tablet to be on the safe side, but only one and not three as on the outward journey. It turned out that one was enough. I probably wouldn’t have needed any, but I wanted to be on the safe side.
Anyone who now thinks it was boring is mistaken. There were a number of different events that were very interesting. But you could also just have a proper look at the ship or the sea, whether inside or outside.
The visit to the bridge was a particular highlight. The plan showed which group was to meet in front of the bridge and when. What had worked well during the excursions or landings didn’t work at all here. When it was actually my group’s turn, there was already a lot of chaos in front of the bridge. Claudia, Susanna and I had great difficulty visiting the bridge together. Admittedly, we pushed a bit, because there were people in front of us who weren’t supposed to be there until the afternoon.
Phillip, a German cadet with Hurtigruten Expedition (pictured above right with me), showed us around the bridge. He explained everything in English and German. Some of the older passengers were very grateful for the German explanations. They were able to ask their questions directly in German. Below left is the control centre and below right the view from the bridge.
Unfortunately, I didn’t remember everything that Phillip had explained to us, so I asked him to explain the picture below to me. To my great joy, he did it too. Thank you Phillip.
Here are Phillip’s explanations of picture bridge 2:
Top left: Port side is our control centre. This is where the electrical charts (ECDIS) and radar screens are located. We can also carry out depth measurements here using our echo sounders and SONAR.
Bottom right: This is the starboard side of our control centre. Here we have the same screens as on the other side. However, we can also operate our anti-heeling system here and keep the ship level or heel it to the side to minimise the height between the tenderpit and the zodiac.
Top right: In addition to our folders for various things, we have computers for our work besides navigating the ship. This is where we plan routes, check safety systems and carry out various office tasks.
Bottom left: This is our control panel for all alarms, as well as our positioning system and stabilisers
The rubber boots also had to be cleaned when the batch was returned. Anyone who had always given their wellies a good soak in the disinfectant bath after every trip ashore had a clear advantage here, as most of the sand in the tread was already gone by then. Tommy and I were lucky and we photographed and filmed each other.
At the top left, we ticked off who had returned their batch (photo top right) and wellies. At the bottom left we were shown how the wellies should look after cleaning. Below in the centre you can see Tommy and below right me cleaning shoes.
It had to be cleaned really well, because all the boots were checked by a guide and you were only allowed to stop when he had given his OK. Tommy and I show you how it’s done.
During the two days at sea, there were various other events on board.
Above left, the Chief Officer explained everything technical about the ship, especially how the hybrid drive works. Afterwards you could ask the captain and his crew (photo centre left) all the questions you ever wanted to know. The chambermaids showed us everything that could be made from towels (photo below) and anyone who wanted to could try it out for themselves. My result can be seen in the photo on the right. This was very funny and there was a lot to laugh about.
As the weather was very nice and the sea was calm, we also took some photos with the expedition team.
The next highlight was the scavenger hunt. We had the whole day to do it and didn’t have to stress. Claudia, Susanna and I were Team 2.
Instructions for the scavenger hunt:
- Form a team (max. 4 people).
- Take a scavenger hunt task list and a team number.
- Fill out the scavenger hunt list and include your team number on all photos and videos. Photos must be taken with things found on board, not pictures from the internet, and with the consent of all people in the photos/videos
- Submit your photos, videos and answers to the expedition team at the Science Centre at 20:45.
- 1 point per correct photo, video and answer
- The expedition team will award extra points for creativity at their discretion.
- The team with the most points wins and receives a prize.
- The winners will be announced during the evening.
- Have fun.
Of course, I will also show the tasks with the corresponding photos of our group here.
- Task 1 (top left photo): a photo with a ship’s officer
- Task 2 (photo top right): a photo with the youngest member of the expedition team (without guest scientists)
- Task 3 (photo bottom right): The expedition leader in a yoga pose.
- Task 4 (photo bottom left): A penguin that can be seen through the porthole.
- Task 5 (photo top left): One of you lying next to a Viking compass with a member of the expedition team
- Task 6 (top right photo): Four different pairs of binoculars (do not all have to be in the same picture)
- Task 7 (bottom right photo): A giant squid beak
- Task 8 (photo bottom left): A portrait of Fridtjof Nansen
- Task 9 (photo top left): a leaf of a white mangrove
- Task 10 (photo top right): a photo of Ettra, the mother ship’s dog
- Task 11 (photo bottom right): one of you at sample station C with a lifejacket
- Task 12 (photo bottom left): The French flag with a member of the French expedition team
- Task 13 (photo top right): Two of you doing the Titanis pose at the bow on deck 7.
- Task 14 (photo bottom right): the name George Melville with a brown background
- Task 15 (bottom left photo): a picture of you in the whirlpool, with a toothbrush
- Task 16 (photo top left): a bird flying near the ship
- Task 17 (photo centre right): a picture of one of you doing a high-five with the bartender
- Task 18 (photo bottom right): A walking stick hidden somewhere on deck 6
- Task 19 (photo top left): A member of the expedition team hugs a (not real) penguin
- Task 20 (photo bottom left): one of you drinks a milkshake in the Fredheim restaurant
- Task 21 (photo top right): a poster with P. Foster
- Task 22 (photo centre right): a Weddell seal hidden somewhere on deck 6
- Task 23 (photo top left): the book “The Cloud Book”
- Task 24 (photo bottom left): the left shoe of the Master of Whales (also known as Chris)
- Task 25 (photo right): everyone must use the outdoor training equipment
In the evening, everyone was analysed. We were in the middle of the field. The children’s group won. They were really quite creative and their prize was a base cape labelled “Fridtjof Nansen”.
There were many other events, so there was no room for boredom.
Of course, there was also information about the onward journey from Ushuaia. Some flew straight back home and others had booked another night in Buenos Aires, like me and Claudia. Susanna flew straight home. I used these two days to take some more photos of the ship.
Those who wanted to work off the delicious food from Restaurant Lindstrøm (photo above left) could do so both indoors and outdoors.
Indoor fitness room (photo top right), outdoor fitness equipment (photo centre right) with some exercises (photo bottom left) and the jogging lap (photo bottom right).
Towels were provided for the sauna and pool area (photo with right). You can get to the sauna (photo top right) by lift (photo bottom right), but also to the Explorer Lounge (photo top left). In the Explorer Lounge there is a bar, comfortable armchairs and loungers to look out over the sea. There was also a shop for anyone who had forgotten something or just wanted to buy a souvenir (photo bottom left).
Of course, there were also several lifeboats (photo above) and lifebuoys (photo below).
