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