A gale in Drake Passage

 As we left Antarctica the weather deteriorated - fog rain and we missed a view of Deception Island which is the caldera of an ancient Volcano.  As soon as we were in clear water in the Drake Passage the wind was about 40 Knots. By midnight it was blowing 50 Knots. The ship had to slow down and the pitching and rolling was fairly dramatic. There was all sorts of crashing and banging that woke one up. It was a force 9 strong gale. By the next morning the wind had dropped to 40 Knots. All the outside decks were closed. The swimming pool and outdoor hot tubs were drained. Salt became encrusted on the windows. One had to be very careful wandering about the ship. I took some Stugeron which I had bought in England last October just in case of need. I did not experience any lack of appetite. The ship, because of the need to slow down, will be arriving in Ushuaia four hours late. As soon as we passed Cape Horn to port the sea was calm again. Experiencing a strong gale on a cruise ship in Drake passage  will be a memorable event from this cruise.

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