After drinks and the usual foolishness associated with crossing the equator we decided on an early night. At 12:07 am we were jarred awake by the rocking and rolling of the ship. It was difficult to stay in bed. The ship was rolling so severely the curtains were slamming from one end of the windows to the other. Dresser drawers were slamming open and shut. As the Islander plowed into a wave it set up a shudder or tremor that traveled from bow to stern. One swell threw everything, including a pitcher full of water, from our desk and table to the cabin floor. Thank goodness the lid was down on the toilet as everything in the bathroom was being tossed about. At times we were pitched fore and aft but the most severe movement was side to side. There were short lolls when we were able to get back centered in the bed and drift off to sleep in the heavy rolls only to be shocked awake by another session of violent pitching. The tempest continued until the captain was able to maneuver us through a narrow channel into a collapsed caldera known as Darwin Bay in Genovesa Island at 6:00 am.
Everything in the galley and lounge had been thrown about and over turned.
We are just now (10:00 pm) leaving the protection of the caldera for the open seas enroute to Baltra. The captain has advised us the seas are still heavy, possibly worse than yesterday. The ship is already rolling too much to stand or walk and the the seas are building rapidly, we can hear unsecured doors banging and objects rolling about. The ship is getting slammed and we still have a long night ahead of us. The plan is to sail through the night and find refuge on the leeward side of Baltra in the morning.
Genovesa was fascinating as are all the islands but each is unique. Vegetation and animal life vary greatly. The one constant is the volcanic origin and the hostile, severe environment.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Location:Genovesa, Galapagos
No comments:
Post a Comment