Every passenger booking this year’s trip has received a copy of “Atlantic” by Simon Winchester. It is essentially a biography of this ocean, told in a poetic and very personal manner. The book recounts the ocean’s geological origins. It speaks of its affect on the people living near or on it: about the age of exploration by the Vikings, Irish, Basques, Portuguese, Spanish and British; the great sea battles from the time of pirates, Trafalgar, the World Wars and the Falklands; the lives – and deaths – of creatures living on and in it; and the vessels crossing it, on the surface, under it and most recently, flying over it; how the ocean has changed and shaped people, and how people have changed and shaped it. In other words, it is the story of the life of the ocean.
The author tells of his first transatlantic crossing in 1963. He speaks of how it was somewhat of a rarity in the 1960’s to cross the Atlantic by ship, or by any other means for that matter.
I made my first transatlantic voyage somewhat earlier than that. In fact, it was 1956, long after the end of the mass Westerly migrations by ship of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, but before the accessibility of affordable and “comfortable” jet travel. I don’t remember any of that first voyage, but I’m told that I spent pretty much the entire trip walking the decks. My mother would later say that I walked across the Atlantic Ocean. Reinforced by 3 other ship crossings, I guess that trip was the beginning of my affinity for being on the water. Many people take cruises for the destinations. To me, it’s as much about the days at sea.
So, that is why this feels like the ideal journey. At the end of the Antarctic tourist season, Lindblad/National Geographic moves this ship (the National Geographic Explorer) from the far tip of South America to Northern Europe to get ready to explore the Arctic during the Northern Hemisphere’s Summer. Of the 26 days on board, we make 5 stops along the way. So, it’s mostly about being at sea. And it should be a truly an AT SEA experience. As opposed to the top-heavy 10+ story, sanitized, luxurious, stabilized, constant-entertainment environment of most cruise ships, this one holds 148 people at full capacity. It has no pool, no casino, no floor shows. It has a library, an observation area, a lounge and some deck space. The sea will basically be at eye level. We’ll be very aware of any storms that come our way. We’ll mostly have to entertain ourselves (I think there is one guy and a piano), and occupy our time with getting to know the ocean, the other passengers, the crew and the amazing stops we’ll have along the way.
After getting off the ship in Germany, because we’ve decided that just won’t be enough traveling, we’re going to spend 3 days in Prague before flying home.
Michele has been very kind to indulge me in this adventure. She tells me she is as excited as I am for this to get started, and I know that she is. I’m hoping it’s as great as we’re anticipating.
So, taking my inspiration from Simon Winchester’s book, I want to spend part of my time writing this blog about the trip. I don’t know how easy it’s going to be to have access to reliable internet, but I hope to write often and to update the blog frequently. If the connection will handle pictures, I plan on uploading them frequently. Who knows, maybe I won’t have good access and this will all get updated at the end of the trip. Or, maybe I’ll find there is 24 hour a day entertainment on board, and I won’t want to bother with this. At any rate, while I don’t promise scintillating writing, or even consistency, we’re very happy to share our trip with you.
On the following pages, there’s an outline of our trip itinerary, blogs (I hope) from the segments of the trip and a photo gallery. Hopefully you’ll be hearing from me often!