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This rock formation connotes where the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans meet at Cape Horn. |
“Sightings from the Veranda while Cruising”
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Evening photo last night. The sun didn’t fully set until almost 11:00 pm. |
It was only around 6:00 am that we were situated in Cafe al Bacio. The ship is humming with announcements over the loudspeaker with the enthusiasm of the passengers palpable as we sail from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean via Cape Horn, South America.
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Tom said he was nearly blown away by high winds when he took this photo early this morning as we approached Cape Horn. |
It’s hard to believe we are currently in Cape Horn that explorers discovered long ago, an uninhabited weather dominated acclaimed “end of the world,” known as the last visible land mass before reaching Antarctica.
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Rock formations at Cape Horn. |
This is of particular interest to us based on the fact that we’ll be heading to Antarctica in a mere 38 days. Taking this particular cruise prior to the upcoming cruise has proven to be highly beneficial to our understanding and appreciation for this remote part of the world.
Here is a map of this area from this site:
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Map of the most southerly tip of South America, Cape Horn, where we’re currently sailing. |
From this site, more on Cape Horn:
“Cape Horn (Spanish: Cabo de Hornos) is the southernmost headland of the Tierra del Fuego archipelago of southern Chile and is located on the small Hornos Island. Although not the most southerly point of South America (which are the Diego Ramírez Islands), Cape Horn marks the northern boundary of the Drake Passage and marks where the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans meet.
Cape Horn was discovered and first rounded by the Dutchman Willem Schouten, who named it Kaap Hoorn after the city of Hoorn in the Netherlands. For decades, Cape Horn was a major milestone on the clipper route, by which sailing ships carried trade around the world. The waters around Cape Horn are particularly hazardous, owing to strong winds, large waves, strong currents, and icebergs; these dangers have made it notorious as a sailors’ graveyard.
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Many rock formations are named but with the slow Wi-Fi right now we’re unable to do much research. |
Cape Horn is located on Isla Hornos in the Hermite Islands group, at the southern end of the Tierra del Fuego archipelago. It marks the north edge of the Drake Passage, the strait between South America and Antarctica. It is located in Cabo de Hornos National Park.
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Views of Cape Horn from the ship’s bow. |
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Ship in the area heading further south to Antarctica. |
Many stories are told of hazardous journeys “around the Horn,” most describing fierce storms. Charles Darwin wrote: “One sight of such a coast is enough to make a landsman dream for a week about shipwrecks, peril, and death.”
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Cape Horn is not one single spot. Its a series of islands and rock formations. |
Last night, at the Captain’s Club party from 5:00 to 7:00 pm, we thoroughly enjoyed the company of another new couple. We continue to enjoy meeting travelers from all over the world on this cruise, especially during the relaxed and easy environment of the Captain’s Club.
I took a break from the group at around 6:30 while management staff from the specialty restaurants stopped by to ask me to meet the chef from two of the specialty restaurants where we’ll be dining over the next few days subsequently preparing stories here with photos of the special dining experiences.
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Albatross statue at top of a hill in Cape Horn by Jose Balcells as a memorial to sailors who lost their lives at Cabo de Homes, Cape Horn Chili. |
At dinner, we sat at a round table for 10, again meeting more passengers we’d yet to meet. Later, several of us danced at the silent disco party in the area of the solarium pool. It was freezing cold in that area and we both had to bundle up to stay warm, even with our rambunctious dancing to the music.
Today, we’ll need a nap. We’re both a bit sluggish after getting to bed at midnight and arising by 5:00 am. Tomorrow, we’ll be back with our fabulous photos of Ushuaia, one of the most interesting towns we’ve visited during this 30-night cruise, which ends one week from today.
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Lighthouse in Cape Horn. For this Cape Horn lighthouse fable, please click here. |
May those of you who celebrate, enjoy holiday festivities safely and with much merriment.
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Fran and Terry hosted our evening ou at a local cafe. During our evening we met other locals in Penguin Tasmania. For more details, please click here. |