Windy and clear.
The last few nights there has been some serious movement on the ocean and last night was no exception. It continues as I write this a 9.00 in the morning, after breakfast.
We are heading due west now, to an island 420 miles west out to sea from the Chilean coast. It is called Robinson Crusoe Island, named after the famed castaway. The popular belief is that the story, by Defoe, is based on a sailor, Alexander Selkirk who really did spend about five years alone on the island 1704-1709 after his captain put him ashore on the then-uninhabited island because of his unruly attitude. There are now about 800 inhabitants. They were devastated by a tsunami in 2010.
The weather outside looks beautiful, blue sky, full sun, whitecaps etc. However it is impossible to walk the deck because of the wind. The ship is pitching and rocking so that anyone walking looks like they have had too much to drink.
Many have not come out of their cabins and will spend the entire day in there. The little bags for sea sickness are discreetly dispersed throughout the ship. Our Neptune Lounge clerk is suffering from sea sickness as well. Fellette and I are fine, but if ones stomach is off, the wave of nausea can waft over you and it is about the most terrible feeling of complete helplessness. No one can help you except a visit to the doctor which usually helps, somewhat. The common remedy is to eat soda crackers and green apples. Yup!
A few facts: the higher up you go on the ship, the worse it is regarding sea sickness in rough weather. The further forward, or aft you are, the worse it is as well, because the ship is like a teeter-totter, so the best place to be is dead centre and just about at the waterline. Our cabin is located at the very top of the ship and very near the bow, so, guess what? Rocking and rolling for us! The sick bay, or hospital, is located in just about the most perfect spot for comfort, at water level and midships, as they call it.
Following is my description of how a ship feels in rough weather:
Pitching: when the ship behaves like a teeter-totter, bow down and then up, then down. Usually when the ship is heading into the waves, straight on.
Rolling: when the ship is rolling side to side, usually because it is travelling at right angles to the waves, or rollers, as big waves are called.
Wallowing: when a ship is travelling parallel to the rollers but the waves are slowly passing under the ship. This I find is the most nauseous. Similar to rolling but sickening.
Following Seas: when the ship is travelling in the same direction as the waves but the waves are going faster than the ship. There is a sensation of being lifted by a wave coming from behind and the the ship seems to slide down the wave like a roller coaster until lifted up by the next wave. I find this very comforting and soothing.
Dead Calm: speaks for itself. It is a bit spooky to see in the middle of an ocean, but is does happen, near the equator. It must have been terrible for sailing ships, more like disastrous. They often would often launch the lifeboats or whaling boats and try to tow the ship into the wind.
The last few days we have nothing put pitching, so we are not too bad off.
The last few nights there has been some serious movement on the ocean and last night was no exception. It continues as I write this a 9.00 in the morning, after breakfast.
We are heading due west now, to an island 420 miles west out to sea from the Chilean coast. It is called Robinson Crusoe Island, named after the famed castaway. The popular belief is that the story, by Defoe, is based on a sailor, Alexander Selkirk who really did spend about five years alone on the island 1704-1709 after his captain put him ashore on the then-uninhabited island because of his unruly attitude. There are now about 800 inhabitants. They were devastated by a tsunami in 2010.
The weather outside looks beautiful, blue sky, full sun, whitecaps etc. However it is impossible to walk the deck because of the wind. The ship is pitching and rocking so that anyone walking looks like they have had too much to drink.
Many have not come out of their cabins and will spend the entire day in there. The little bags for sea sickness are discreetly dispersed throughout the ship. Our Neptune Lounge clerk is suffering from sea sickness as well. Fellette and I are fine, but if ones stomach is off, the wave of nausea can waft over you and it is about the most terrible feeling of complete helplessness. No one can help you except a visit to the doctor which usually helps, somewhat. The common remedy is to eat soda crackers and green apples. Yup!
A few facts: the higher up you go on the ship, the worse it is regarding sea sickness in rough weather. The further forward, or aft you are, the worse it is as well, because the ship is like a teeter-totter, so the best place to be is dead centre and just about at the waterline. Our cabin is located at the very top of the ship and very near the bow, so, guess what? Rocking and rolling for us! The sick bay, or hospital, is located in just about the most perfect spot for comfort, at water level and midships, as they call it.
Following is my description of how a ship feels in rough weather:
Pitching: when the ship behaves like a teeter-totter, bow down and then up, then down. Usually when the ship is heading into the waves, straight on.
Rolling: when the ship is rolling side to side, usually because it is travelling at right angles to the waves, or rollers, as big waves are called.
Wallowing: when a ship is travelling parallel to the rollers but the waves are slowly passing under the ship. This I find is the most nauseous. Similar to rolling but sickening.
Following Seas: when the ship is travelling in the same direction as the waves but the waves are going faster than the ship. There is a sensation of being lifted by a wave coming from behind and the the ship seems to slide down the wave like a roller coaster until lifted up by the next wave. I find this very comforting and soothing.
Dead Calm: speaks for itself. It is a bit spooky to see in the middle of an ocean, but is does happen, near the equator. It must have been terrible for sailing ships, more like disastrous. They often would often launch the lifeboats or whaling boats and try to tow the ship into the wind.
The last few days we have nothing put pitching, so we are not too bad off.
Safe harbour later tonight as we anchor off of Robinson Crusoe island, on the lee side. [Not the windy side.]
This discreet container contains sea sick bags at the staircases
Getting ready for Black and White formal night.
Our guests.
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