Monday, 14 December. This was a day at sea. Jane was very sick, so we had breakfast in our room again. (just oatmeal for her). The day was partly sunny with smooth seas, but it was cold (mid-40s) and very windy on deck. Jane also had lunch in our room while I went to the Mariners' lunch for HAL frequent cruisers. I made a leisurely tour of the ship, examining most of the art displays on board.

Medieval Japanese armor

One of many oil paintings for sale

Medieval European armor

About 5:00 p.m. I went on deck when it was announced that we were approaching Cape Horn. Cape Horn, really an island that's part of Chile, is the southernmost point of South America. In fact, it is the southernmost land on earth except for Antarctica and the tiny South Sandwich Islands. At this time of the year, the sun rises here at 4:40 a.m. and sets at 10:15 p.m., so there are almost 19 hours of daylight (4:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.). The Horn is known for its treacherous weather, so we were happy to find conditions so pleasant (relatively).

Braving the wind in sight of Cape Horn

Approaching the Horn

Whale heading for the Horn

It took nearly another hour before the ship finally passed Cape Horn and thereby entered the Pacific Ocean. I kept coming in and going out because it was so cold and windy outside. Fortunately, our room was on the lower promenade deck, the only deck where you could go outside and walk all the way around the ship on one level. Our room was also only a few steps from a door that opened onto the deck, so it was very convenient going in and out. At one point, a large whale surfaced within 100 yards of the ship.

Cape Horn, the island, from the east

Cape Horn from due south One foot in the Atlantic - one in the Pacific

Islands on Pacific side of Cape Horn

Kaitlyn Carr

Our room was also on the port side, the side facing land when we were at sea on this cruise. As we neared Cape Horn, I got Jane out of the bed and into a chair facing the window. She had a good view of Cape Horn as we sailed by. After passing into the Pacific, the Veendam made an U-turn and then headed north to enter the Beagle Channel that we would follow toward the Pacific. More about that later.

 

Jane felt well enough to join me for dinner in the Rembrandt restaurant , but not well enough to go to the show at 8:00. I got her settled in our room and went to the show, only a little late. It was billed as a variety show because it featured three performers who had already appeared separately: Kaitlyn Carr, the Scottish singer; Rikki Jay, the British comedian who enjoyed his own jokes so much; and Justin Miller, the virtuoso guitarist and musical historian. This was probably the best show of the trip.

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