During the first day back in the Drake, Seabourn Venture was rolling a bit, but in a good way – great for sleeping but not for walking! 

As suggested, we slept in, even putting a “We’re Relaxing” tag on our door. 

On Seabourn, all presentations were available in the cabins.  I watched the Women in Antarctica presentation on the TV in our cabin with a mocha and biscotti.  

Of course, women weren’t allowed on early explorations but their names are there.  For example:  Mary Byrd Land and Adèlie penguins were named for wives of explorers.

Jackie Ronne was the first woman to be a working member on an expedition.  She worked, and overwintered, at Stonington, site of our first stop in Antarctica. The Ronne Ice Shelf was named for her.

In the 1950s, the first countries to allow women to work on Antarctica were Argentina, South Africa and the former Soviet Union.

Regardless of chauvinistic perceptions, women have been shown to do better in extreme cold psychologically and physically (because of more subcutaneous fat).

Ideas of colonizing Antarctica began in the 1970s with Argentina and Chili.  To that end, a very pregnant Argentinian women became the first woman to give birth on the continent.  The Antarctic treaty eventually nullified colonization intentions.

In 1993, the first all women team reached the South Pole led by American Ann Bancroft.

By 2025, there was one woman for every two men in US Antarctic work.

We went to several presentations in the expedition lounge over our two days in the Drake Passage.

Ben presented on Seabirds, primarily the albatross.  

He highlighted the wide range foraging trips parents go on to feed  their chicks, perhaps over 2 million kilometers over their lives.

During the Q&A afterwards, someone asked Ben how he went from doing remote island research to a luxury cruise line expedition team. Ben explained that Seabourn contacted the science team he was part of at the University of CapeTown. Two of the 12 members were interested.  Ben is in polar regions with Seabourn about six months a year.

Historian Udo presented on the long Antarctic saga of Ernest Shackleton.  

Shackleton had come up in small ways in other lectures but Udo gave an hour on his extensive Antarctica experiences. (If you know, you know. If you don’t, there are many books, videos and movies.)

Udo is standing next to Ernest Shackleton’s headstone in Grytviken, South Georgia Island, in the South Atlantic Ocean. He died in January 1922.  

We had a lecture by Merel on the Spineless Wonders of the Ocean.

Merel presented again the second day on the ”scary” creatures of the deep.

Ship photographer Harry presented an 11 minute video of his photos of our trip. We were able to download the video to keep.

Expedition leader Luqui closed our expedition team lectures with one about scientific research on penguin poo!

It is a real thing!

Penguins are trained to poo outside the nest

Luqui’s closing presentation was perfect!

We laughed almost to tears!

A bit later we were almost to gratitude tears with the Captain’s presentation of the officers and crew who gave us such a fabulous voyage.

Randy had a last conversation with expedition crew member Robert.

We enjoyed some closing time with a couple we had met during our delay in the Buenos Aries airport 10 days before and talked with frequently throughout the voyage.

Then it was time for the SuperBowl!

I had worn my Seahawks shirt around the ship the entire day receiving many comments. I believe I was the only one to wear anything other than a cap.

One fellow passenger coordinated the pool and I bought two squares.

Seabourn gave us a nice tailgate spread for the SuperBowl.

We watched the first half on the big screen with fellow passengers but went back to the cabin at halftime.

Since some people had thrown such a fit about Bad Bunny being the half time entertainer, we wanted to be able to really watch his show. We enjoyed it!

We watched the third quarter in bed but in the middle of the fourth, I had to get dressed to head back to the lounge because my square was winning the pool.  Before I left the cabin, the Patriots scored again.  Oh well, back to watching the Seahawks win, in comfort, in the Drake Passage on Seabourn Venture.

Next up:  Our final experiences and thoughts.

PS: This is our 500th Serenewandering post. Woo-hoo!