Getting winds at 20m/sec and swell reaching 9 meters at times, causing the vessel to roll close to 20 degrees in this rough weather. Sailing out of Drake Passage, we were happy to arrive at Ushaia a day ahead of schedule without incident. Though now far from the Antarctic, temperature here is very low and so are clouds. Starting with fellow passenger Miura Yuichiro, we would like to congratulate each other on a safe journey, and promise to communicate far and wide the wonderful experiences we shared on this trip to the Antarctic.

Gaining distance away from the Antarctic Peninsula on our way back to Drake Passage. Same as on our way there, the vessel was rocked by 4-6 meter swell. For Drake Passage, these conditions are actually not particularly severe. We began to see why Drake Passage has a reputation for some of harshest weather in the world.We also came how terribly difficult it must have been for Amundsen, Scott and Shirase expeditions that challenged this region almost exactly a hundred years ago.

Arrived at Port Lockroy, half-a-day's steaming from the Antarctic Circle. The ice enveloping the port beautifully glowed blue and white in the moonlight. Port Lockroy is a former British research station, now used by naturalists studying the environment in the summer. Based on Weathernews' foreast, conditions through Drake Passage will be rough so we are moving up our return leg by a day.

The ship glides along the calm sea as he unusually good weather continues. We can still see penguins and elephant seals in the midst of this stunningly beautiful environment. At 9:55 (GMT) we arrived at the Antarctic Circle (66'33 deg. south), and all aboard celebrated our arrival. Disembarking to survey the condition of the ice, we noticed that it broke with surprisingly ease. After returning to the ship, the ice split into two-perfect halves. To stay any longer on the ice would have presented a danger to anyone there.

After Paulet Sound, we finally reached Antarctica, disembarking at Brown Bluff. Here also, we came across many Adelie penguins. On account of the summer season, there were many exposed rocks of course. However we were concerned by the lack of ice.
Leaving Brown Bluff, we crossed the Lemaire Channel on calm seas in clear weather which is said to occur maybe once every 20 years. While sailing through the spectacularly good weather, we hoped that the unspoiled natural beauty of Antarctica would remain untouched by humans forever.

Swell weakened as we transited the South Shetland Islands, but sometimes we heard the ship hitting small icebergs. Passing through the Antarctic Sound, we stopped and disembarked on Paulet Island which is located at the northern edge of the Antarctic Peninsula. Made our way through countless Adelie Penguins, but none showed any fear of people. They all seemed too busy feeding and caring for their 5-week old chicks. Due to the unusually low-level troposphere in the Antarctic, the sky seems almost close enough to touch.

Wind and waves calmed down a little bit, but winds　(usually 15m/s) intensified again as we approach the South Shetland Islands. Temperature between 0～2 deg.C. Spotted our first iceberg north of the South Shetland Islands. Vessel proceeding with care as number of crew manning radar increased. Getting closer now to the Antarctic Peninsula, we were greeted by a flock of sea gulls.

	[CAPT's DOSCA]

Ship rocking intensely from heavy swell in Drake Passage. At 1:00 GMT on January 16, set sail from Ushuaia (Argentina) for the South Pole. Voyage got off to a good start with fine weather and no winds at time of departure. However waves grew steadily higher and more intense. Getting 4~5 meter swells every minute, meaning unsecured objects fall and roll across the deck. These seas are actually giving us a baptism by fire as we start our voyage.