Whale bones

This image taken by the biologist Ana Ramos is amazing. It is of the first scientific expedition to Antarctica. Look closely: in the foreground, there are whale bones and the dangerous ice covers the entire Bay of Ferraz.

In the background, moored between glaciers and icebergs, there are two fishing vessels from Vigo, the Pescapuerta IV and new Alcocero. Back then everything was new and different to our eyes.

I don’t know what we will find thirty years later, but I have the same enthusiasm as the pioneers of the 86/11 campaign.

People ask me through social networks if we are already in the Antarctic. We sailed just eleven days ago, and we have to sail for 14,000 kilometers, so step by step, we will get there.

Today, we will cross the equator, and to celebrate in style, we will eat a Galician ham, a gift from Galicia Calidade to the Sarmiento de Gamboa’s crew; more tomorrow…