During the day the
temperature rapidly dropped as we crossed the Arctic convergence. This natural
boundary between the relatively warm sub-Antarctica surface water and the cold
sub-Antarctic surface water is an important biological zone influencing the distribution
of plankton, fish,birds it is also another important marker that we are nearing
the continent of Antarctica. Our call for lunch coincided with an important
deadline - the final opportunity to enter the Great Antarctic iceberg
competition! You had to guess not only where we would site the first iceberg
but also the time. It will be like winning a lottery. The sound of whirring
vacuum cleaners echoed down the corridors as everyone meticulously cleaned
jackets, pants, beanies, gloves, backpacks from any foreign or organic matter
that doesn’t belong in the Antarctic. The preparations for our first outing in
Antarctica were coming to a finale. Later in the afternoon we attended a
fascinating lecture on penguins, seals and what we will see in the days ahead.
Off to the bar to try out the cocktail of the day “The Drake Lake” - we wish!
and yet another game of Rummikub.
Tomorrow the adventure begins when we spot our first iceberg!