Day 1 to 6: Journey with Bark Europa

From Ushuaia across Drake Pasage - a taming journey!

Day 1)    Monday 24th February 2020 – Boarding in Ushuaia

Boarding is scheduled for 5 PM, but we were allowed to bring our belongings on board earlier in the morning. As emotions rose while packing, I made sure to avoid all seasickness-triggering ingredients at breakfast (unfortunately, that included coffee—uffa!). I left one bag behind for sunny Brazil at my hostel, Malvinas Hostal, and headed to the boat with my first load of luggage. At 5 PM, we officially boarded Europa. My cabin is number 7, with bunk C on the top.

Day 2)    Tuesday 25th February 2020 – Beagle Channel

Breakfast was at 7 AM, and at 9 AM, we raised anchor. I made a final call to my mom to say goodbye for the next three weeks. The Beagle Channel’s calm waters provided an opportunity to get accustomed to the ship, attend lectures, and start learning how to climb the masts. Everyone was required to reach the first watching area above the first yard. Surprisingly, it was easier than it looked, though the inclined ladder leading to the small platform proved to be the trickiest part. To navigate the Beagle Channel, we needed an Argentinian pilot aboard. Once we reached the end of the channel, a motorboat arrived to pick him up, and we were free to set the sails.

Days 3-6)        Wednesday 26th February 2020 – Friday 28th February

As we entered the Drake Passage, the waves grew larger and I became seriously seasick. I was caught in a cycle of vomiting and sleeping. I’m part of the White Watch (we’re divided into Red, White, and Blue), and our duties alternate between steering at the helm and standing lookout. Steering was manageable, but being on lookout was unbearable for me, and at some point, I couldn’t continue. The night of the 27th was particularly rough, and in some way, I regret missing my watch—it would have been an unforgettable experience to face the darkness and the towering waves. Eventually, I applied a 15 mg Scopolamine plaster, which eased my symptoms and allowed me to sleep for hours. On the final day of the passage, the waters calmed, and before going to bed, I removed the plaster. During the crossing, we spotted albatrosses, Cape petrels, dolphins, and fin whales, which added a touch of wonder to an otherwise challenging journey.