February 19 - The International Dance Group

Yesterday as we sailed NNE on our way to Montevideo I did not much of anything constructive.  At trivia, the staff made a math error tallying our score and they announced that we were the winners for the day.  We all looked stunned (because we knew we weren’t) and they checked the numbers and found a 100-point error. Our moment of glory was fleeting. Before I forget, the answer to the trivia question about what you fear if you have alektorophobia is fear of chickens. That's very useful information for most of us, isn't it?

Two of our entertainers who are leaving in Montevideo performed at last night’s show.  They are both sensational and very nice people. I’ve had dinner with both of them and they were great company.  I don’t know how they manage to survive with the schedules they keep.  The female singer is spending close to 40 weeks on the road this year. The ones I’ve dined with told me that they are trying to catch up for the nearly two years when their income and livelihood was cut off completely.

After dinner we went down to the club as usual and our group has grown!  We sat with the Spanish speaking contingent.  There was the couple from Mexico that shared my Land Rover in Stanley.  The other two couples were from Barcelona.  The two women from Barcelona had both spent time in Williamsburg when they were students.  At the tables next to us the Aussies showed up and then a couple of South Africans arrived.  For the first time the dance floor was crowded.  I’m sure it was funny watching us because we were doing lots of rocking so we’d all go quick, quick, quick to one side or another like a flock of land bound birds moving in unison.  My Spanish is coming back to me as I try to make conversation with my new friends.

This morning I awoke to a beautiful, sunny day.  We still have some seas, but after all we are on a ship at sea.  The temperature is also much warmer.  It’s actually very comfortable when not in the wind.  I have a feeling that in a couple of weeks when we go up the Amazon we’re going to be wishing we had weather like we’re having today.

I forgot one thing I did yesterday. The expedition team photographer had a photo sharing event and he air-dropped some of his best shots from South Georgia and the Falklands.  He takes great photos and here are a few.

Grytvitken

Penguin chicks aren't nearly as cute as their parents!

Try to imagine the sounds and the smells from so many penguins.

Looks like he's having a good snooze.

Feeding time

These two are either hungry or upset.  I don't know which.

Another cute guy