This is the beginning of Ngāi Tahu women Irene Schroder, Ramonda Te Maiharoa and Dian Munt’s journey to Antarctica. The trio are all daughters of fishermen and see this journey as retracing the footsteps of their fathers.

Voyage to Antarctica Irene Schroder Ramonda Te Maiharoa Dian Munt We are heading into SSE wind on our course for Cape Adare. The Captain is navigating a zig zag course through pack ice at the entrance to the Ross Sea. Sunday 22 Jan – Great experience breaking through the ice: had to reverse at one point, leaving red paint from the Spirit of Enderby’s hull on the ice. Light snow falling. Heritage Exhibitions held a ceremony on forward deck to mark crossing the Antarctic Circle. Celebration with mulled wine, the stamp of the penguin on our foreheads and two loud blasts of the ship’s horn.

Churning slabs of ice as the Spirit of Enderby slowly motors through. Tiny cracks open up ahead, gradually expanding as the boat pushes forward.

Wednesday 25th Jan- Cape Adare in sight at 5.30am. We are travelling at 9 knots looking for a passage through to the landing round the corner in Robertson Bay. Heavy pack ice makes it impossible to land. We will try to revisit Cape Adare on return journey. Day is clear and sunny, as we sail down the coast, sighting whales, penguins and seals, snow petrels and skuas.

Penguins and seals make lovely marks on the soft ice.

Have discovered more historic writings but these will have to wait for the article.
Thursday 26th January, position 74degrees South 171 degrees East. Seas rough after Cape Adare.

Tomorrow we hope to make Ross Island.

End Irene Schroder