Tuesday 3 November 2009

The Fram sets sail!

We have spent the last two days in this amazing Argentine city of Buenos Aires (population of metro area almost 14 million people!), but it has rained, with thunder and lightening, for the entire time we have been here. Today however, just as we were about to set sail on our first southern hemisphere expedition of the season, the sun came out!

We were sad to leave but eager to start our voyage to the Falkland Islands/Malvinas, then on to South Georgia and the Antarctic Peninsula before returning to the South American mainland and the city of Ushuaia.

As we left the port of Buenos Aires, we passed the famous natural area known as Reserva Ecológica Costanera Sur. It is remarkable that such a wild place is within one of the biggest cities in the world. The skyline of Buenos Aires is almost the last land we will now see for three days as we steam south. We wish ourselves smooth sailing!

And as if to say goodbye to the ship and its passengers, a Brown-hooded Gull flew towards us showing its beautiful patterning on the head and wings. This was not the first bird we have seen so far on our adventure and it will certainly not be our last! Stay tuned!