We are at sea to the Falklands today on Le Lyrial, and en route to Steeple Jason Island, one of the small north-west Jason island group of the Falklands. Commandant Garcia and the Expedition Leader, Delphine Aures, have decided that the good weather expected for the next 5 days warrants a change in the order of landings, so we are headed to Steeple Jason Island in the Falklands as the first stop, rather than last. The weather forecast is great news, as Steeple Jason is a tricky landing, but well worth it, and one of the two reasons I chose this trip.
Delphine introduces her multicultural, female-dominated expedition team of naturalists, geologists, and historians. Very European in origin, with some surprising inclusions. The deputy expedition leader is from the Netherlands, with the others from France, Iceland, Norway, and Germany.
There are 183 passengers, about 30 more than I was expecting, but still well below the ship’s capacity of about 240. About 20 are on a back to back expedition from the Antarctic Peninsula. We are divided into French and English speaking groups for briefings and lectures. Country of origin is about 50% French, with the ‘English speakers’ a mix of Australians, UK, German, New Zealanders North Americans, an Italian family with a 12-14 year old teenager, and two Japanese women. There appear to be about 30 single travelers, split about 50-50 French to English speakers. 90% of the passengers appear to be retirees in the 60 – 80 age range.
We also have onboard Alain Dayan and Christophe Boyer, who are filming a documentary for the French TV Channel “Voyage”. Interestingly, Christophe is shooting with a Canon 5D MKII (which is quite long in the tooth these days), and a cinema lens rather than a video camera. It is certainly easier to carry than the full video kit that the young on-board videographer is toting.
All of the public ship announcements are in French and English, with a nice touch from Lois the cruise director being that he announces in French or English when the announcement only concerns one of the groups, for example when a lecture is about to begin in French.
I am glad I’ve bought my own Arctic Sport Muck Boots with me as Ponant seem to have decided to purchase boots for distribution on board, rather than rent them through Ship-to-Shore. They are Dunlop Purofort thick tread gumboots, with a non-flexible leg and calf, with the hardtop edge that can dig in.
The only mandatory activity today at sea to the Falklands is the zodiac procedures briefing at 5 pm, followed by the zodiac life-jacket distribution. It’s a calm day at sea, not much wind, and therefore not a lot of birdlife around the ship. A reasonable sunset though!
A very lazy day with only 7,000 steps!
