Today, we spent crossing the Atlantic Sea and Baffin Bay. In the morning, we’ll be at Pond Inlet, Canada—the place of polar bears. We’ve heard the stories but no one will make any promises…but that’s okay. Whatever nature brings…

We started the day with a talk on marine mammals—-pinnipeds and whales and others. Polar bears and otters are in the “other” category. We learned about how much oxygen our blood can hold in comparison with a true seal (no ear flaps) and why they can dive 2,000 feet and stay down for 30 minutes. Walruses and sperm whales can dive 3 times that depth and stay down much longer because they’re all built to eat.

From there, John hung out in the living room (a lovely gathering place on board) while I donned all my arctic gear and went out on deck in search of something. We have two pair of high powered pair of binoculars in our room so I took a pair and searched.  We’re out in the middle the Atlantic, so birds shouldn’t be here, but they are…why? Because of icebergs. They have landing places between here and there. The birds I saw were Guillemots, black tipped wings, black head and white body. They flew close to the waves, then swooshed up and then glided around.

The big event was after lunch…something that I hoped to do in Antarctica but never did. The Polar Plunge! This is a ceremony to mark the crossing of the Arctic Circle. Here, we have already crossed the Arctic Circle three times, so it was time to celebrate. I was psyched and John was ready to take photos. When the time came, I donned by bathing suit and headed up. Niels, a crew member from East Greenland, lead the way. This would be nothing for him. He could have done laps. Then came a line of guys. What we were doing is going from pool to pool. There was the frigidarium (a la roman baths) to the tepidarium, from icy cold to moderately ok.

The hard part was standing around outdoors in zero degrees wearing only a swim suit. Brrr. And the person before me was delayed while the crew  added more Arctic ice to the pool. This was going to be like jumping into a gin and tonic, not just a drink of water. Giant ice cubes all around.

So, it was finally my turn. I was afraid I couldn’t do it, but standing outside for so long made it not only possible, but also just fine. The water was cold but in and out and into the tepadarium and it was over. The reward was a small sip of Aqua vit and a dry towel I was ready to do it again!

So when we’re back home and I invite you for a polar plunge in January, go for it. It’s invigorating and the chill is supposed to add years to your circulation— or so they say.

Next was knot tying. I know my knots but finally learned to tie a flip bowline. Always wanted to know that one. Then to the champagne toast for previous Viking passengers, then to the news for tomorrow—Canada, O Canada! Then to a lovely dinner with new, friend, Sheryl, then to the Hide for story telling about crossing from Nuuk to Baffin Bay in a 22 ft sailboat. They made it but were wet and cold the whole way and when they arrived, a polar bear climbed aboard. So a polar bear did make into today’s story, after all!

More stories soon! Good night.