![Dutch crunch bread l.a.](https://loka.nahovitsyn.com/138.jpg)
Expedition Leader Rolf therefore decided to summon us for the mandatory IAATO and Zodiac briefings in the Deck 3 Lecture Room at 3.30 pm. It was also a good moment to stand on the Bridge (all decks were closed, so windy was it!) or Bridge wing and take photos of the waves crashing onto our bow, as by 3 pm the height of the waves was steadily diminishing.
![ortelius walking tracks ortelius walking tracks](https://www.vmcdn.ca/f/files/stalberttoday/images/news/0105-walking-track-file.jpg)
For most it was siesta time after this, with Ortelius still rocking and rolling significantly. His talk focused on the birds we would find around Auckland and Campbell Islands, covering the larger sea birds (such as albatross and Giant petrels), rare penguin species (such as crested and Yellow-eyed penguins) and also land birds (such as pipits, teal and snipe).īy lunchtime the Bar was still mostly empty and there was certainly not a queue at the buffet, though those of us feeling up to it certainly did the food justice. In order to accommodate somewhat uncomfortable seas, mandatory briefings were postponed until the afternoon and instead Simon kicked off our lecture programme with An Introduction to New Zealand's Sub-Antarctic Islands. Whilst this can be expected in the Southern Ocean, it meant that some passengers did not join us for meals very much today! Those capable of getting around were very careful always to save one hand (or even both) for the ship, especially when manoeuvring through doorways (watch those fingers in the door jamb!) and up and down stairways. Sea conditions were rough when we woke up to our first morning on board Ortelius. Having ‘Southern Ocean-proofed’ our cabins wherever possible (including the ABs closing the shutters over Deck 3 portholes), we headed for bed and a night of surprisingly rhythmic and even pleasant rocking and rolling – we certainly know we are at sea. Most people decided on an early night after this, since all of us have had a long journey from home to Bluff.
#ORTELIUS WALKING TRACKS FULL#
Sparkling wine and canapés were consumed (mainly - not too many ended up on the floor considering) and we met the ship’s Expedition Staff - who will be driving our zodiacs, lecturing us on all aspects of Antarctica and accompanying us on land visits.ĭinner was at 7.30 pm prompt and although the dining room was not quite full to capacity, those who came into dinner certainly enjoyed the culinary experience and also getting to know fellow-passengers.
#ORTELIUS WALKING TRACKS FREE#
We now had some more free time to settle in, begin to feel at home and start developing our sea legs.Īt 7 pm most of us gathered in the Bar to meet Captain Ernesto Barria and toast our Antarctic voyage. Watching the New Zealand pilot leave Ortelius after guiding us out of harbour was extremely exciting, as was the severe rolling of his vessel (much worse than ours!). We set sail towards the end of this drill, at first escorted by tugboat, heading out into challenging wind conditions and heavy seas – all part of the adventure. A lifeboat was open, so that we could have a peek inside – cosy! Finally, we were led out to our respective lifeboat-boarding areas on Deck 7, where we lined up. Then we mustered in the Bar and answered to a roll-call of names.
![ortelius walking tracks ortelius walking tracks](https://cdn-assets.alltrails.com/uploads/photo/image/30616703/extra_large_f75c4435626c53ada56f375422b133db.jpg)
First we returned to our cabins to fetch warm clothes and our bright orange SOLAS life jackets. We like to do this drill before we sail, so that everyone knows what to do in an emergency. Lise recommended we meet her to supply ourselves with seasickness medication – and then seven short blasts and one long blast on the ship’s horn signaled the start of the lifeboat drill. Expedition Leader Rolf welcomed us on board, followed by Andy (3rd Officer) & Clouds (Assistant Expedition Leader) showing a film which covered various safety aspects of living on Ortelius Michael gave us a ‘virtual’ tour of the ship Dr.
![ortelius walking tracks ortelius walking tracks](https://www.schnitzel.kiwi/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/150617_0040_1600.jpg)
With everyone safely embarked and all luggage on board, it was time for the mandatory Safety Briefing in the Lecture Room on Deck 3. Finding the Bar and the all-important coffee/tea station was a significant moment. Hotel Manager Michael greeted us warmly, handed us our cabin keys and then we were shown to our cabins by hotel staff and were able to spend the next hour unpacking and getting to know the ship layout. This will be our home for the next month.
![ortelius walking tracks ortelius walking tracks](https://c8.alamy.com/comp/2JPPAB3/rear-view-of-family-walking-along-parched-track-in-dry-field-heatwave-summer-2022-to-go-to-the-beach-in-wales-uk-kathy-dewitt-2JPPAB3.jpg)
Wind speeds at the port were somewhat stronger than they had been in town and we held on to our hats with difficulty as we stepped from the buses onto Ortelius’ gangway, making our way to Deck 4 reception in order to check in. For the record – this is very unusual.Īnd so we took a scenic route to Bluff, allowing us a last opportunity to enjoy the mainland New Zealand scenery. And indeed, despite the crowd, the operation went so smoothly that we were early boarding our buses. Lise was collecting medical questionnaires Staff members Victoria, Simon and Mark were bustling around chalking Cabin Numbers on luggage. From 1.30 pm the lobby of the Kelvin Hotel in Invercargill was packed with pre-embarking Ortelius passengers! Assistant Hotel Manager Carlos was busy checking off names Dr.
![Dutch crunch bread l.a.](https://loka.nahovitsyn.com/138.jpg)