Antarctica Log Book: The Ultimate Journey Day 1 and 2

My first Antarctic Voyage: January 30, 2011, the second February 13, 2011 Home port: Buenos Aires Temperature: 87 Fahrenheit, sunny day, winds SSW 5-10mph We had an overnight in Buenos Aires, Argentina - the perfect city to explore during the day and experience the nightlife. During the day you can see all the touristy spots - the Pink Palace, Eva Perone's grave and amazing cemetery, street dancing and markets, Florida Street (designer shops, souvenir shops, McDonalds and Burger King galore) - just make sure you stop and admire the architecture wherever you are! If you have a couple days in BA you have to take a short flight to Uguazu Falls - right on the border of Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay - it is absolutely breathtaking and surreal. On to Antarctica!!! Sea Day 1: Position: 36*40' S, 0*55' W Temperature: 73*F Weather Conditions: sunny Wind: 15 knots, wave crests 4-5 feet Speed: 20 knots (23 mph) Heading 182* South towards Falkland Islands Distance travelled from Buenos Aires: 260 Nautical Miles, 300 miles Distance to Falkland Islands: 910 NM, 1046 miles Note: If you take a trip to Antarctica, make sure you bring sunscreen! The sun is bright! And the ozone layer thinning thus offering less protection. Oh, and sunglasses! Today is a beautiful clear and sunny day, not a cloud in sight - which is a good sign, hopefully no bad weather in the future! (Probably just jinxed myself.) It's the first sea day out of two on our way to the Falkland Islands. It's also Valentine's Day, and I just had some delicious heart-shaped desserts. We had an art seminar today, but the big day is tomorrow: first auction: Mimosa Mania Art Auction - complimentary mimosas all around! So we're hoping the calm weather holds, otherwise the auction will be rough (artwork falling off easels, etc). I'm in my cabin right now, and Harry Potter is on TV, so I'm a happy camper... rather, a happy sailor. Valentine's Day party for crew later, should be fun! Sea Day 2: Position: 45*15 S, 0*56'30 W Temperature: 68*F (20*C), ocean temp: 59*F Weather conditions: clear Winds NNW 25 knots, waves 5-6 ft Sea depth: 5,300 meters (17,400 ft) Heading 185* S towards Falkland Islands Distance travelled from Buenos Aires: 777 NM (894 miles) Distance remaining to Falkland Islands: 393NM (452 miles) Headline on HLN: "Beware of 'Klepto the Cat,' cat burglar swipes bathing suit, toys... "Dusty" goes on the prowl, steals stuff at night" Another beautiful day, we've been lucky - especially since it's an auction day. Auction was a lot of fun today, a few sales, but we're all so tired because we stayed out late at the Valentine's Party. Lots of drinks, music, friends. They had a giant heart-shaped chocolate mousse cake - even a heart-shaped pizza, I got a rose ... all in all a fun party. We'll all sleep well tonight! Some new excitement, just got back from the auction and there's leaks in our rooms (it's so Antarctic-expedition-ish, makes me feel like a real sailor!) This is troublesome to us because our rooms are directly beneath the galley (which often keeps the entire hallway awake at night from the noise,) and a couple months ago these exact same rooms were totally flooded - luggage and anything on the floor was ruined... Now the joiners are here and are in the ceiling, yep... Apparently it's just an AC problem ... Nope, was some other pipe. Fixed (temporarily) 2/15 7:00pm. "Indeed the stark polar lands grip the hearts of the men who have lived on them in a manner that can hardly be understood by the people who have never got outside the pale of civilization." - Sir Ernest Shackleton