Crossing the Drake Passage took up days 1-3 on the trip. So now we’re at Day 4.
The start of Day 4 was crossing the Antarctic/Polar Circle! We had a great way to celebrate this — champagne! Also, notice all the number on the white board below. The Polar Circle isn’t always the same, it will shift. Something we learned. You can also read about it here, or the quick piece of info —
The position of the Antarctic Circle is not fixed; as of 4 June 2018, it runs 66°33′47.2″ south of the Equator.[1] (as you see, it’s different from when I was there). Its latitude depends on the Earth’s axial tilt, which fluctuates within a margin of 2° over a 40,000-year period, due to tidal forces resulting from the orbit of the Moon.[2] Consequently, the Antarctic Circle is currently drifting southwards at a speed of about 15 m (49 ft) per year.
Now we were also ready to start getting off the ship. We would be in zodiacs to ride around in the Southern Ocean (area) and walk on land. Amazing scenery that pictures don’t quite do justice to (though I have so many to show).
Now, this also entailed putting on a couple layers, big poofy coats and hefty boots. This being said, it wasn’t brutally cold. The lowest it got was 32F (0C). There was one day that wasn’t super pleasant. There were days the were overcast and some with light snow, but it was their start to fall, so not bad.
And some video of what we were seeing.
And this is the summary of the day, Mar 3.
Mel's Mosaic 