Gumby and the Birds

Here are a few photos of Cassandra, Pien, and myself trying on “Gumby suits,” which is a sturdy survival suit that promises tip-top insulation and flotation, good enough to survive for days even in chilly polar waters. Hopefully we’ll never have to wear them again, as that’d mean the ship was sinking, but if we do, at least we’ll look cute!



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You know how when you’re on the beach and you stare out at the ocean, you see a straight horizon extending forever? It’s hard to tell from the size of the photo here, but the horizon in the Southern Ocean is actually jagged due to the sheer size of the waves. It’s one of the most amazing things I’ve ever seen... the ocean is such a deep blue—it’s hard to describe, but the color of it just gives the impression of incredible depth—and the sky is filled with circling albatross and petrels. I suppose they think we’re a fishing boat.

Oh look! My 6th sense monitor is picking up some signals. Let’s see what it’s got for me:

Gee, I’m so bored. I think today I’ll fly in circles round and round that there boat. Twenty hours, yes, I think I’ll fly round and round that there boat for the next twenty hours. If only I could play Trivial Pursuit or Monopoly or something... but nope, no hands, small brain, and I’d need a table too. (sigh) I’m just an albatross, a bored albatross.
-- Albatross #2034

Gee, I think I’ll shoot one of them albatross. Who’d care?
-- Dan Park, renegade mariner