- Lyubov Orlova in Antarctica
Isn’t that a magnificent view? Towering, snow covered mountains, with clouds swirling above the water. I have no idea at what time of day the photo was taken. If it were taken below the Antarctic Circle that could just as easily be midnight as midday.
I won’t be crossing the Antarctic Circle on Emperors and Kings. So we will experience twilight for a few hours each evening. Last night’s full moon made me wonder if I would see a full moon in Antarctica. So I googled a moon table and confirmed that the next full moon will be December 2, 2009.
I should be at sea, somewhere between South Georgia and the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas). Well above the Antarctic Circle, although perhaps still within Antarctica. I won’t know that until December 2. It appears, however, that my romantic dream of standing on the fly deck of Khlebnikov at 1 AM with the light from a full moon sparkling on the water might just come true.
The entire trip is fundamentally romantic in a 19th century manner – we’ll be following in Shackleton’s wake – Weddell Sea to South Georgia. We’ll be raising a glass to his memory in Grytviken. We will negotiate on foot – sea ice – near Snow Hill. [Admittedly, we won't be dragging small boats behind us.] No matter, my imagination will suffice. I won’t be sleeping a week from tonight.