Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 03/29/2011 - 14:46
Forums
Seawater Property Changes in the Southern Ocean

Hi Mr. Botella Hi Mr. Bottella, my name is Serena and i am a sixth grade student in period 3John wood's class at a Talbert middle school in fountain valley California. I was just wondering what it was like living on a boat. What do you do for fun? I was also wondering what kind of animals you have seen on your trip? Approximatley how many penguins have you seen and what kind of penguin is your favorite, do you miss your family? i hope to hear from you soon.

Wed, 03/30/2011 - 00:44

Juan Botella

Hi Serena, htank you for writing. Living in the boat is a lot of fun, except when
we hit big seas. I am still not used to the motion after five weeks. For
fun I try to go out and enjoy the view for the animals and icebergs. I also
play ping-pong and foosball. I eat a lot too. I have seen whales (humpbacks
really close by, orcas and minke) , flying birds like skuas, petrels and
albatross and penguins. How many? I have seen probably hundreds. The
largest group was of 33 (I counted them on the video I took). Most of htem
have been Adélies. I would say about 10 emperors.
I do miss my family a lot. I wish they could be here with me exploring the
world.
Thanks a lot for writing,
Juan.

Wed, 03/30/2011 - 12:52

Anonymous

Thank you for replying and im sure your family misses you too. That is so cool that you get to see all those types of penguins and so many of them to i wish i could see all those types of penguins. What is your favorite type of penguin? What type of clothes do you have to wear in such cold conditions and have you ever gone on the ice or gone in the water. Have you seen any baby seals with their mom in the water. Also, are their any dolphins in the antarctic waters? hope to hear from you soon,
SERENA

Thu, 03/31/2011 - 00:44

Juan Botella

Hi Serena, I am not sure which is my favorite penguin. I have only seen two types
and I like both. I wear normal clothes except when I go outside. Hereon the
boat I have to wear steel toe boots, a hard hat and a flotation jacket when
I am on the first deck. I also wear a baklava and mittens for the cold. I
have not seen baby seals; that would be so great! There are no dolphins
close to Antarctica. I expect to see many once we get close to Chile.
Thanks for writing,
Juan.

Sat, 04/02/2011 - 16:04

Anonymous

Hi again, that is so cool that you have seen penguins in the wild, i have only seen penguins in the zoo. I don't ever expect to see any penguins in the wild. I hope you see many dolphins near chile i have seen dolpins in the wild though but i wish i could see them every day. The babies are so cute. I wonder if you will ever see a baby seal but i hope you do. How do you comunicate with your family on the boat?
Hope to hear from you soon,
Serena

Sat, 04/02/2011 - 18:14

Juan Botella

Hi Serena, thanks for writing. It is curious that when I was your age I dreamed of
seeing penguins in the wild but thought it would not happen and here I am,
watching the penguins! Do not give up on you dreams; work towards making
them true.
I communicate with my family through e-mail and phone. We are extremely
lucky to have a satellite phone, since I hear a lot of ships do not have
them. My son is talking a lot more than when I left home back at the
beginning of February, so it is a real treat to hear him. I also enjoy
talking with my wife and daughter, but it is hard to be far for so long.
Thanks again for writing,
Juan.

Mon, 04/11/2011 - 14:52

Anonymous

thank you for responding. i hope you have a safe trip home. I had a great time talking to you. I will try working toward my dreams too ! Thank you so much! Sincerely,
Serena