Welcome to Antarctica

WOW! Marc and I were sipping a cup of coffee early this morning in the ship's cafe when lo and behold we looked out the windows and there they were: ICEBERGS!!! Gorgeous and all around. They are amazing - big and blue-ish with some brown on the bottom. This is the first tangible sight of Antarctica. Suddenly the ship has come alive -- most people have slept off their seasick medication and are chatting excitedly in German, Norwegan, Spanish, English and American English.

Today is a big day. We have traveled for four days are we are finally here. Lots of people on the ship who have traveled further - like from Europe, India and even China!

Allie and Dave are real good company. Everyone has time to relax and do his own thing. Marc is reading "Fountainhead," Allie is choosing her courses for next semester and Dave is determined to crack Rubik's Cube. I'm busy blogging away. It's much more fun than a travel diary.

Shout out to my loyal commenteers: Becky, Mom and Dad, My-My, Dr. David and Judy, Marty, Andee, Catherine, et al.... Keep those comments coming.

Lesson for today: Surrounding Antarctica is an ocean that maintains a fearful repultion with some of the most ferocious sea conditions to be found anywhere on earth. It is the covergence of many oceans and currents. Plus the interaction between the frigid air coming off Antarctica and the relatively warm air of the southern oceans creates a wild sea. However - PRAISE BE TO NEPTUNE: We have had the smoothest crossing ever. It's like a lake out there. (Surely we will pay for this good luck on the return trip.) However by then everyone will have worked out his own cocktail of seasick medication.

"Nuther shout out to David: You'll notice that I am in the pix without feet. They are pictures taken by others. Your instructions are in my head - tic-tac-toe. I promise you some excellent shots will be forthcoming.

Our first landing is schedule for this afternoon so you can expect some pix of Chinstrap Penguins tonight.