Preparing to leave. Firsthand from REE
Friday 18 March
The next morning I get up early. At 6 am local time I am already done sleeping. I have a shower and dress, pack my stuff and Peter and I are at breakfast at 7 am sharp. After that we get out to take a few nice pictures in the warm light you have just before the sun rises above the mountains here.
We first see the rest of the group that morning at the briefing. It is an enthousiastic small, high quality group. Including the 2041 team we are with 47 people. It’s a great enthusiastic group of people, most directly involved in the area of renewable energy. Many come from the US where 2041 has its headquarters in the mountains in about three hours east of San Francisco. As far as I can tell by then, I am one of the few Europeans and the only one from continental Europe. The 2041 team really is made of remarkable characters. One ex-British Navy guy responsible for all safety, another guy who spends time to photograph all the highest mountains in every continent, each and every one has his or her story. It’s fascinating alone to have all these people together. And we are definitely going to do some truly remarkable things together. The idea of seeing my first iceberg is fascinating alone, being overwhelmed by nature, both its beauty and its cruelty. The wildlife we will see and get close to, the idea of camping on Antarctica and potentially even having a polar plounch….
But back to where we are now, still on mainland Argentina. I finish off a few e-mails in the last hours before becoming completely disconnected. I call home and hear about the normal day to day stories of my wife and kids where normal life just continuous.
Time to go! We get through customs and set off over the dock to the Sea Spirit which will be our home for the trip. The dock is lively and busy with offloading stuff from a good number of ships. Men pack up containers by hand which then get loaded on a ship. We get on board and enter our assigned cabins. Fit for purpose and more than that. Given the size of the ship being able to take a hundred passengers, everyone gets their own cabin. Although I signed up for the cheapest cabin, I end up in one of the more luxurious ones. We sail off after having had the safety drill.
It makes a stunning view. The weather is fair with some clouds. As we sail off, the sun gets out and presents a rainbow as if it wishes us farewell in the friendliest way. We are truly privileged. And still there is so much more to come.
We have Rob’s first presentation on leadership on the edge. Parts of the story I recognize, other parts are new but just as good. It’s what he has done what makes him stand out for me. He committed to live his dream. It is catching on to you.
We have a lovely diner together and some of us go out to enjoy the full moon and stars that you can see through the occasional clouds. You can already feel the air getting colder. Inside one of the team leaders is playing the piano and sings. I head to bed not too late to do my writing for my diary and prepare the stuff in my cabin for the potential rough seas the Drake Passage is known for. In just half an hour you could literally fall out of bed. It’s an encounter with the forces of nature you have to respect. Although 600 miles wide, the Drake Passage is a narrow canal for all the water of the Pacific Ocean that passes to the Atlantic. It can be rough in the Drake and is typically known for its turbulent seas. I have decided against any medication to prevent sea sickness.
