twangster Posted January 5 Author Report Share Posted January 5 Information posted for our consumption: Lovetocruise2002 and SpeedNoodles 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted January 5 Author Report Share Posted January 5 In the early evening the Captain hosted us in the main theater for some final words. As well as a parade of the crew. SpeedNoodles, MaryS, PPPJJ-GCVAB and 3 others 5 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted January 5 Author Report Share Posted January 5 Just before bed our position: Lovetocruise2002 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted January 5 Author Report Share Posted January 5 Day Eighteen - Drake Passage and Puerto Williams Position report: Balcony observations: The seas have settled considerably and most of the ship's motion is gone. Lovetocruise2002, Cactus527, SpeedNoodles and 4 others 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted January 5 Author Report Share Posted January 5 Day 18 Chronicle: 5 JAN - At Sea and Puerto Williams Chile.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted January 5 Author Report Share Posted January 5 Noon update: We've come full circle or nearly so. My boarding pass for the charter flight back to Santiago was dropped off this morning. Window seat on the left side. My luggage is packed and I made it under the 23 kg weight limit. MaryS, WAAAYTOOO, ScottishRobbie and 4 others 4 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted January 5 Author Report Share Posted January 5 Somewhere off in the distance in this vicinity was Cape Horn. Land ahead of us. Looking back to the Drake Passage. Chilean Dolphins. We've reached the pilot station for Puerto Williams. New ETA to Puerto Williams is now 3:30pm. These fur seals seemed to be just goofing around with each other. Ampurp85, MaryS, Lovetocruise2002 and 6 others 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted January 5 Author Report Share Posted January 5 Here are some photos from the channel near Puerto Williams. We departed in darkness so we missed this on day one. It's very pretty. You can't park there. Lovetocruise2002, Ampurp85, DDaley and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted January 5 Author Report Share Posted January 5 Final 360 camera selfies. SpeedNoodles, Lovetocruise2002, Ampurp85 and 6 others 7 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted January 5 Author Report Share Posted January 5 I'll have to look up this vessel later. More notions of Shackelton swirling in my head. Right in front of me a whale did a full breach. It was magnificent. All I caught with my camera was the splash. This was less than two miles from Puerto Williams. WAAAYTOOO, SpeedNoodles, Lovetocruise2002 and 4 others 4 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted January 5 Author Report Share Posted January 5 With that we have arrived at Puerto Williams. The Silver Cloud at the pier. I assume the Captain has a very big credit card. Our fuel barge. Looks like the Cloud is doing crew laundry. Cactus527, Lovetocruise2002, PPPJJ-GCVAB and 4 others 5 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted January 5 Author Report Share Posted January 5 Final position report: MaryS, SpeedNoodles and Lovetocruise2002 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted January 5 Author Report Share Posted January 5 It's nearly 5pm on board and we are gathered in the Show Lounge for our final recap briefing and a video presentation of our voyage. Lovetocruise2002, Cactus527 and SpeedNoodles 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted January 5 Author Report Share Posted January 5 The video contained content all captured during this cruise. It was amazing and one of items I love about expedition cruising on Silversea. A USB drive with the video will be left in the cabin during dinner service. Cactus527, Lovetocruise2002, PPPJJ-GCVAB and 3 others 5 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
totalmorganmove Posted January 5 Report Share Posted January 5 The three mast ship that you've photographed beautifully is the Bark Europa! (Built in 1911, the same age as the Titanic - but, y'know, still sailing.) My partner sailed on her last year to Antarctica with his brother. A bit too rustic for me which is why I've been following your blog so heavily - think Silversea might be a better fit! WAAAYTOOO and twangster 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpeedNoodles Posted January 6 Report Share Posted January 6 What a treat to be able to "travel along" with you on this spectacular sailing. Thank you for sharing. PPPJJ-GCVAB, DDaley, twangster and 2 others 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted January 6 Author Report Share Posted January 6 A great last dinner with new friends before one last photo op. The Cloud still hanging out with us but off the pier now. Lovetocruise2002, DDaley, ScottishRobbie and 4 others 5 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted January 6 Author Report Share Posted January 6 Day Nineteen - Debark Chronicle: 6 JAN - DEBARK - Puerto Williams.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted January 6 Author Report Share Posted January 6 Early morning here in Puerto Williams but the weather has cleared and it's too beautiful of a morning to let it uncaptured. WAAAYTOOO, Lovetocruise2002, SpeedNoodles and 6 others 5 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted January 6 Author Report Share Posted January 6 Shortly after 6am the first group was called. Busses waiting for the short ride to the airport. A final farewell from the crew. It occurs to me the airport can't handle all four aircraft at the same time. My plane hasn't landed yet. A final look back at the Silver Wind. An earlier group prepares to take off. Ampurp85, MaryS, instaGator and 4 others 3 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAAAYTOOO Posted January 6 Report Share Posted January 6 What a truly magical place. I can't thank you enough for taking SO much of your precious time to include us. What a wonderful gift you have given us. PPPJJ-GCVAB, SpeedNoodles, Shari and 5 others 2 1 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted January 6 Author Report Share Posted January 6 We've made it to Punta Arenas to refuel so while we wait I'll continue to post. The short ride to the airport. They held us on the bus while the aircraft before us taxied out to the runway. Then it was time to walk up to the tarmac to our awaiting plane. Row 11 has an excellent view... of the engines. Our plane. I have the row on my side to myself again. With flaps extended my view was somewhat obstructed. SpeedNoodles, Lovetocruise2002, MaryS and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted January 6 Author Report Share Posted January 6 Beautiful views of Patagonia this morning. So many glaciers. PPPJJ-GCVAB, MaryS, Meddy3580 and 7 others 5 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted January 6 Author Report Share Posted January 6 Thirty minute stop in Punta Arenas to refuel and pick up some cargo. It's five o'clock somewhere. Meal service was decent all things considered. SpeedNoodles, PPPJJ-GCVAB, ScottishRobbie and 2 others 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted January 6 Author Report Share Posted January 6 This morning while waiting to debark I stopped at the photo studio to inquire if I could post the video from the ship's videographer Justin Duncan. They indicated it was okay to post the video but suggested I remove any segments that show a guest's face that would be easily recognizable. I have done that and also removed the sound track which would likely cause a copyright issue on Youtube. This video contains content that was all captured during this voyage. There was no stock footage used or content from another ship or sailing. No sound: WAAAYTOOO, Lovetocruise2002, JohnK6404 and 6 others 4 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovetocruise2002 Posted January 6 Report Share Posted January 6 4 hours ago, WAAAYTOOO said: What a truly magical place. I can't thank you enough for taking SO much of your precious time to include us. What a wonderful gift you have given us. ^^^THIS^^^ Thank you @twangster! Best blogs as always twangster, Cactus527, Shari and 2 others 3 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted January 7 Author Report Share Posted January 7 A quick word about the complimentary parka. This worked quite well for me. It is a two part design with an inner bubble style jacket that zips into the red waterproof outer shell. I didn't keep mine zippered into the shell, I simply put on the shell over the jacket. Sizing for me was perfect. I am typically a large ski jacket and this large fit well. I generally wore a long sleeve t-shirt and the Silversea parka on all excursions and I was never cold. The shell did a great job. Despite being splashed often on zodiac rides I was never wet inside. Shari, MaryS, Lovetocruise2002 and 8 others 8 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
She Sails Away Posted January 9 Report Share Posted January 9 I'm late to the party, but have caught up on this amazing blog. Thank you so much for sharing this huge adventure with us, the photos are amazing and I feel like I was there every step of the way. I've always wondered what this kind of cruise would be like. Looks like the adventure of a lifetime. PPPJJ-GCVAB, twangster and WAAAYTOOO 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted January 10 Author Report Share Posted January 10 Cruise Summary I've waited a few days to post a summary so I can properly contemplate the experience. In summary it was amazing. With my creative thoughts warmed tonight with a glass of Endurance Scotch I am ready to summarize this voyage. I've enjoyed some special bucket list cruises on various lines to great destinations. This experience on the Silver Wind to Antarctica has surpassed them all. We had some great weather on this voyage but I have the feeling that the experience would be pretty fantastic with or without the weather we had. I was pleasantly surprised by the condition of the Silver Wind. There is no disputing her age yet I was pleased with the ship and how it has been updated. The premium internet plan and the consistent internet experience throughout the voyage given the challenges of internet at sea well away from populated areas was a pleasant surprise for this tech geek. When I considered Antarctic itineraries I initially focused on Antarctica exclusively. Fortunately I realized if I was going all this way, investing in this vacation as required, I should explore the greater area. This was a great itinerary that included the Falkland Islands, South Georgia, Elephant Island and Antarctica. All of them are special in their own way and all of them worthy of being included on this special voyage. Boots on the ground in the Falklands, South Georgia, Elephant Island and Antarctica with a surprise visit to iceberg A23a. Enough said. Christmas in South Georgia, New Years in Antarctica. Does it get any better than that? On the way home at the hotel in Santiago with new friends made on this voyage someone asked the best moment of this experience. In truth there wasn't one, there were many best moments. Being in a special place is all well and good but I learned the value of a great zodiac driver while in the Galapagos. That lesson holds true in the Antarctic. Great guides are equally important and our expedition team were all pretty great. They all have impressive resumes and their passion for their work is hard to miss. They were a large part of making this experience what it became. I am quickly becoming a fan of Silversea expedition cruising. The Captain along with his bridge and deck teams were also a significant factor in the making of this experience. They all did a phenomenal job. Food is subjective. I try to refrain from reviewing food because my tastes should mean little to anyone else. I can't recall a bad meal and there were some pretty great meals on board. How do they keep food fresh as long as they did? The only meals that I was not enthused about were the two lunches in The Restaurant that were basically buffets. Generally speaking the food in The Restaurant where I ate most of my meals was perfect for me. As far as my camera kit for this sailing I think I did pretty good. When you own a boat and pull into a marina there is always someone in the marina with a better boat. Photography is somewhat similar and I sometimes had some "PE" (photographer envy) seeing what other guests had in their hand. Despite that I think I did okay and I'm pleased with the results. I watched the ship provided video again before sitting down to write this summary. I am so glad they provide the video. Justin did a great job with it. Every time I watch it the memories come flooding back. This was an incredible experience and I enjoyed presenting it here. I hope you have found it informative and I thank you for viewing. Ampurp85, PPPJJ-GCVAB, USCG Teacher and 15 others 5 4 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foxrunner Posted January 11 Report Share Posted January 11 Inspired by your blog and soon to retire school teachers we would love to go to Antarctica and the surrounding Isles. Did you see a Caracara in the Falkland's? Our book club read this book "A Most Remarkable Creature: The Hidden Life of the World's Smartest Birds of Prey by Jonathan Meiburg" and we now stalk them in our travels. We looked at Silversea in Antarctica and the cost was prohibitive to us given we have other travel destinations on the list. Do you have any suggestions to reduce the cost? I looked at Nat Geo and some other lines and they were in the same price range. TIA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joshgates Posted January 11 Report Share Posted January 11 Found this just in time to be able to binge read the entire thing. I left Ushuaia on the 19th too, straight to Antarctica though. Had a completely different experience than you (we got the Drake shake with 8m waves on the way back for instance) and seeing your photos and how you described the Falklands and South Georgia, I'd love to include them if I get back. Just a fabulous writeup with some great photos, think you've inspired more than a few people to look into it as an option or expand their trip if there's one in the works. Any interest in trying some of the activities like kayaking or snorkeling if you return? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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