In the Beagle Canal or thereabouts

After boarding the ship at around 3.30 pm it was time to put everything in a drawer or cupboard or wherever there were a spare few centimetres.  The room is quite a bit smaller than other ships we’ve been on but the comfort is still there.  Of course we have jackets and gloves and thermals and boots etc along with special life vests which have to be worn when travelling on the Zodiacs.  But we’ll find out more about that later.  Life drill was at 4.30 along with a spiel about the ship and safety issues.  Following that there was a sail away party on the back deck - got there & quickly went back to the room for a couple of extra layers - it was freezing!  A presentation followed on what to expect itinerary wise and how things can change quickly due to weather conditions.  All the crew and expedition staff were introduced to us and it would appear that we are in excellent hands for the cruise.  And, we have a lady driver, Captain Maggi.  She is Swiss, trained as a marine and graduated from the Technical Nautical Marine School in Italy.  Her interests lay in very remote parts of the world and she was fascinated by nature and wildlife from having worked for several years aboard the expedition ship Bremen as a Chief Officer.  She later became 2nd in Command on the Bremen  and then took her first command with Silversea in 2010. Have yet to meet her.  

Dinner was shared with 2 couples from Florida.  A lot of fun and laughter, funny how you  click with some and not with others!!! Have just rolled into bed at 12.15 am - well someone had to wait for the load of washing to dry and I volunteered! Well, sort of!