CAPE HORN

This morning we were up early, as was most of the rest of the ship. From Ushuaia, we’d sailed overnight, in a relatively short, there-and-back-again arc, to arrive at the real ‘End of the World’… Cape Horn.

Once again, we’ve been super-lucky with the weather. There was always a bit of a question-mark over whether or not the seas would be kind enough to allow the short trip South to see the Cape, but as it turned out, the conditions were about as near perfect as we could possibly have hoped for. Despite the chill, keen wind, and a certain amount of swell, the visibility was clear, giving us a brilliant view of the rocks that make up the infamous Cape Horn, a place where 800 ships have floundered and 10,000 sailors have lost their lives, over a period of 400 years. A fearsome reputation indeed.

Everyone was up on deck, despite the early hour. We sailed past the rocks for about thirty minutes (but not too close – wouldn’t want to make it eight hundred and one), before retracing our steps, back towards Ushuaia and the Beagle Strait.

By mid-afternoon, we were passing Ushuaia and the Tierra Del Fuego National Park again, heading back towards the glaciers and waterfalls that we passed yesterday. It was great having a second chance to see them in all their glory, although as we sailed, the weather started to deteriorate. After dinner, we were back up on deck, hoping to see the last of the glaciers, one from which a huge waterfall flows; by the time we reached it, however, the cloud had come down and the rain was falling, add to that a cold, biting wind, and it made photography all but impossible.

The Captain came over the PA to tell us that we would be taking a short diversion in the morning, to see another glacier, as recommended by the two Chilean pilots that we currently have on board with us. So, with the prospect of an early morning, we headed for an early night.