Just as the June 2015 Centurian was going to press, we received the accompanying photos and trip highlights from TCC Treasurer JoAnn Schwartz. On March 24, some 30 TCC members from the U.S., Costa Rica, France, Germany, Greece, Portugal and Singapore boarded the Ortelius at Ushuaia, Argentina, for a five-week cruise to the Cape Verde Islands, arriving on April 28.
The routing took them to the South Shetland Islands (British Antarctica) and King George Islands; the South Sandwich Islands (South Orkneys and Southern Thule); the illusive Bouvet Island; Gough Island; Tristan da Cunha; St. Helena; Ascension Island; to Praia, Cape Verde Islands. Extremely rough seas prevented the ship from landing at Bouvet, the world’s most remote island.
The Uruguayan Artigas Station on King George Island had a welcoming party for the cruise passengers. There was also a welcoming party at the Argentine Orcadas base on Laurie Island, South Orkney Islands.
JoAnn reports that Thule Island, in the South Sandwich chain, was mentioned by most passengers as the highlight of the trip because of the unexpectedly large wildlife population, including Chinstrap and Gentoo penguins, fur seals and skuas.
There was an epidemic on Tristan da Cunha so the ship took passengers to Middle Island. Later that day the ship dropped off medical supplies at Tristan, along with get-well cards from everyone.
Members were able to add some destinations to their TCC list. We can only surmise that all or part of this exciting journey will be discussed at future TCC chapter meetings!
Here is a map showing the route of the voyage, with more photos below:
