Day 8) towards Danger Island: first icebergs in sight!

Sunday, March 1, 2020

We have a dog shift from midnight to 4AM. I start with helm, then look out and then helm again. The sea is quite rough and apart some seasickness that came back I do enjoy my watches. The completely new situation about which I dreamt of and at the same time that I feared, is here. Incredible how after only few days on the ship you gain at least an apparent familiarity with the boat that can give you a feeling of safety and trust. After the watch I felt into my bunk and slept till almost noon. We have entered the area of big icebergs. The smaller ones, size of a car or so are called growlers. The weather is sunny and the views are more and more spectacular and the ice is more and more dense. We have shift from 2 to 8PM, but already before dinner it was decided to stop here for overnight. Anyway the shifts were indeed entertaining, you had to really look for ice within +- 20 degrees (port side to the left, star side to the right) and with a radio to announce it to the bridge. On the helm as well, many changes of the curse were required in order to zick-zack among the ice. We had a great tasty dinner, but I rush it to be able to take sunset pictures. As every day, three bells announced the 8’oclock meeting when the captain and the guides announce the program for the next day. We will be drifting overnight with engine on, in case it would be needed to avoid some ice. And tomorrow Danger Islands… both on shore and in zodiacs. I enjoyed a glass of some Duch schnaps.