The wind had become strong in the night, force 7. The heavy waves were caused by the Pacific winds from the West, combined with the one from the North - the one that blew us forward to Antarctica, on the sails, of which some were set. The night and day of the seasickness. Not many people escaped it.

Walking in the corridors, holding yourself firmly on the side rails, is as walking in a tight rope. If not careful, you were rocketed into the bench on the other side of the dining room.

To prevent your slice of bread to slide off your plate, the trick was to put first some butter on the plate, in order to fix the bread on it, then to walk to your place to prepare it.

I admire the kitchen crew, who manage to prepare and serve breakfast and dinner, while the soup could splash from the pan when one moment the ship made a heavy movement. I admire the crew, mostly young people, who set another sail in the middle of the storm. But now, at the end of the afternoon, the waves reduce a bit, it becomes clearer outside. How inclined, she, that is how the crew talks about the Europa, sometimes goes!

Outside it feels alright, being thrown up and down by the waves, with the albatrosses and petrels flying around.

Nora Riedeman

 All new trainees have joined the ship yesterday afternoon and already had their first diner on board!

The ship is about to leave Ushuaia for the 3rd Antarctic expedition this season. Follow the ship on her journey to the South.

Photo by C. Nelson, Antarctica 2006


Team Bark EUROPA

This night our passage north across the Drake nears its end! We had big waves and for this sea not too much wind - max. 8Bft, but on the nose from NW, so it was mostly motorsailing, which was some relief for the few seasick.

At 18:30 we saw it finally thru rainy clouds: Cape Horn! Passing Cape Horn safely is one of the finest experiences in the life of most sailors. Passing Cape Horn thankfully in the companionship of a nice and competent crew returning fromAntarctica with a bunch of new experiences and memories is all most travellers can dream of.

Passing Cape Horn on board of this wonderful tall ship Bark Europa simply makes us happy. And happy we look forward to the last three days of our journey through Tierra de Fuego...

Rupert