Today’s Chronicle can be found here.
Leisurely start to the morning, followed by Alex’s lecture – The Real Treasure Island: Explorers, Traders and Pirates on Robinson Crusoe.
I was fascinated to learn that Alexander Selkirk was voluntarily marooned for four years in the 1700s because he complained about the seaworthiness of the vessal (Cinque Ports) that he was travelling upon. Cinque Ports was indeed unseaworthy and sank shortly afterwards. This was the inspiration for Robinson Crusoe, though Selkirk was marooned without any form of companionship. Crusoe’s companion Friday was inspired by an indigenous Moskito man named Will who had been marooned on Más a Tierra (later Robinson Crusoe island) in the 1600s.
Ship time! There was an incredible range of design and details. Our ‘Mothership’ was definitely on the brutalist side compared to many of the Polynesian and Navy inspired designs created by the other guests. But how many ‘sailors’ (cans) will they be able to carry?
First up was the Hong Tiki:
It ultimately was loaded with six cans before it started to founder:
Then came the Silver Frigate:
This is a remarkable design that combines both form and function – not only did it start with 6 ‘sailors’, but it also had hand-crafted figures of many of the Cloud’s officers.
It ultimately carried 12 cans, but could have easily carried more.
Next up was the Silver Tiki:
Which unfortunately ran into some challenges once the ‘sailors’ were introduced:
Then came the Pacific Recyclone – which had a working hatch with retractable anchors and room for two ‘sailors’:
But began to list to starboard once additional ‘sailors’ were added on.
Next up, our very own venerable Mothership!
It floats!
Boy, does it ever float!
Ultimately it took 16 ‘sailors’ – but could have taken many, many more.
Then came the Pacific Can Tiki, our trivia partners’ vessel:
It handled two ‘sailors’ without any issues, though it began to struggle once a third was added.
But what it lacked in cargo capacity it made up with adorableness:
Next up – the Austintacious:
Another Polynesian-inspired design, complete with sails. It got to eight ‘sailors’ before it started to founder:
Last – and certainly not least – the Plasti-can Tiki:
It has a moveable sail and a working rudder – and made it to eight ‘sailors’ before running into issues:
Captain Ligthelm and the senior officers took a few minutes to deliberate before announcing the winner…
The Silver Frigate!
A very well deserved victory for a ship with an original name, a visually appealing design, intricate detail and excellent carrying capacity. They received a bag filled with garlic and other sundries, some spa items, and – the real prize – a bottle of Duval-Leroy rose champagne.
And in second place – Mothership!
Kids were absolutely thrilled. We got a lovely certificate with a prize to follow.
Lunch at La Terrazza, finished off with a particularly delicious chocolate cake:
The swell has begun to peak following the storm to our south – and indeed we have gotten more than 4 metres of swell, but with a 19 second period between them it’s really been a complete non-issue. Yes, there is an occasional tilt to the floor and one does have to be careful with glassware, but it has not induced any kind of nausea. And the pool is still open, as it has been throughout this voyage!
Back to the room for some more reading / writing / homework, and then off to trivia. The kids were thrilled to know the name of Kanga’s son in Winnie the Pooh (Roo), who saved Andromeda from drowning (Perseus), the month for the Emerald birthstone (May), and the countries that were part of the Opium Wars (UK and China). Big thanks to our team members who identified the owner of the yacht Honey Fitz (JFK) and the most famous statue in Brussels (Mannekin Pis). Our 14 / 16 score was good enough for first place!
We then took a bit more time for Dungeons & Dragons. We’d been hoping that John would be able to join us, but he called to give his apologies – lots of inventory to do in advance of the Antarctic season. We had an excellent game with my daughter getting a critical hit (rolling a 20 on a 20 sided die) that did a ton of damage to a rogue werewolf:
Time for our briefing in advance of Alexander Selkirk:
No promises are being made due to the heavy swell, but they are going to attempt a zodiac cruise – and kayaking, too! I once more signed up, though I will be thrilled if we get off the ship tomorrow in any way, shape or form.
Todd then provided a recap regarding the Dresden, a German cruiser from the early 20th century:
The Dresden was one of the last remaining German ships following the battle of the Falklands. It hid in the Chilean fjords, where it was able to resupply and make repairs with the help of German expats there. British ships pursued it to the Cumberland Bay area at Robinson Crusoe Island. Despite signalling their intent to surrender, the Dresden was shelled by British ships – which did eventually accept the German surrender. The Dresden was scuttled by its captain – the fantastically-named Maxamilian von Spee – and remains at the bottom of Cumberland Bay.
Damon then provided a (p)recap regarding the wildlife of the Juan Fernandez archipelago:
We might potentially spot the Juan Fernandez petrel and storm petrel, fin whales, flying fishes, Juan Fernandez fur seals, the subtropical lady butterfly, the green-backed humming bird and the Juan Fernandez firecrown hummingbird (a mega-tick for birders). We might also expect to see Malcolm eating a wide variety of cakes and donuts, which we are encouraged to smack from his hand when spotted.
Dinner at La Terrazza with Sarah tonight, who is hilarious and so great with the kids. We asked for her top recommendation in terms of ‘hidden gems’ – she suggested we check out the Sea of Cortez / Gulf of California, which has some truly spectacular marine life.
Busy day tomorrow, so it was time to head back to the room and off to bed:
But before I turned in for the night, I once more checked the notice board – and found my name on the list for kayaking tomorrow!