Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 02/24/2011 - 07:53
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Seawater Property Changes in the Southern Ocean

Hi Juan/ Papa, The bumble bees would like to know if there are any baby penguins. Have you touched a penguin? How cold is it? Do penguins bite? What do penguins eat? Can you bring us a pet penguin? Thanks you and miss you, your Bumblebee friends and Ana. Ana sends hugs and kisses!!

Thu, 02/24/2011 - 18:32

Juan Botella

Dear amazing bumblebees, thank you very much for writing, you have made my day! I did see a
penguin that was in between a baby and an adult. Not even a toddler. It
might have been like you guys. This penguin was changing his or her baby
feathers for adult feathers. It looked like it had not brushed! I will make
sure I post a picture of this fellow.
I have not touched a penguin, and will not do so int he future. There
are strict rules here in Antarctica and they asked us to not get close to
the animals so we do not disturb them. I have been close to a few penguins,
but did not touch them.
I do not think penguins bite, unless you bother them. The molting
penguin did come very close to us and did not bite us. I will see what I
can do about bringing a penguin.
Thanks to all for writing. Best wishes and I miss you. Muchos besos y
abrazos para mi bumblebee favorita, Ana! Te extraño muchísimo.
Juan,

Tue, 03/01/2011 - 07:15

Anonymous

Hi again Juan, We have a few more questions? Do they have stores in Antarctica? What do you eat ? Why do you get dessert every night? What kind of dessert do you eat? Why isn't there any Polar Bears in Antarica? Is there any cars? Is there any horses? Do you get to drive the ship?

Tue, 03/01/2011 - 12:34

Juan Botella

Hello, and thanks for writing. I am glad you have so many questions about what
is happening over here. I will answer them in order:
1. While in Antarctica I was at one station, McMurdo Station. There are
several other permanent stations from different countries. The US has
McMurdo as the main base, Palmer Station on the Antarctic Peninsula and
Scott-Amundsen at the South Pole. There are a few other countries, about
20, that have their own station as well. All this to say that McMurdo has
one store where I could buy things for the batroom (sop, shampoo, lotion,
sunscreen, etc), basic over the counter medicines (for colds, for stomach
ache, etc). Some snack foods, and lots of souvenirs T-shirts, hats, pens,
pins, end more). It is open a few hours a day around lunch and dinner, and
is next to the cafeteria.
2. There is a cafeteria at the station where everybody eats. They make a
great job on preparing lots of different dishes from where we choose. It is
similar in the boat. I am writing about the food in the boat and will
appear in the blog on the next few days. I can tell you we eat very well!
3. There are at least three types of desserts every day in the boat. We
have had cake, ice cream, cookies, custard, muffins, pies, and more! They
try to keep us very happy by providing lots of desserts. The funny thing
is, I got used to having all these desserts and do not eat that many.
4. That is a very good question. Bottom line: Large bears developed in the
northern part of the world through many many years, but not on the southern
Hemisphere. The Northern and Southern hemisphere have been very isolated
since bears developed that they have not been able to move to the south.
Think of this a little bit more general. There are kangaroos in Australia,
and some parts of the US look like Australia, so why aren't there kangaroos
in the US? Kangaroos developed in Australia and it is very far from the US
for kangaroos to hop to. Let me know if this is not clear
5. We have shipped trucks, and strange looking vehicles that do well on the
snow to help build the station. But the station is so small that it takes
any person less than 5 minutes to walk form end to end. There are sort of
taxis you can get in you need to move a lot of heavy things.
6. No horses. Actually, no animals brought by humans (no gods, cats,
chickens, etc) Only the ones that were here before we got here.
7. No I do not. We have a Captain, an ice captain and three mates that do
all the driving.
Thanks again for your questions. I did not get to know who you are. Next
time let me know who is writing and from where. Thanks.
Juan.

Tue, 03/01/2011 - 13:34

Juan Botella

Through some detective work of my own, I was able to realize that it weremy favorite Bumblebees asking more questions. Thanks again for writing,
dear bumblebees. Do let me know if my answers were too complicated for all
of you.
Thanks a lot for writing a big hugs for all, especialmente a Ana banana.
Cheers,
Juan.

Thu, 03/03/2011 - 07:58

Anonymous

First Ana would like to say "Hi Daddy, I love you!"Silas would like to say that he loves you too.
Sophia says she loves you too!
We would like to know if you go ice fishing.
What kind of exercise do you get?
Do you have any friends there with you?
Today we counted to twenty in Spanish. Ana helped me, as I couldn't remember the name for 12. She also taught us the words for monkey today in Spanish.
We miss your smiley face. We can't wait for you to come back to Red Caboose! We will keep sending you lots of questions.
Hope you are having lots of fun!
Love the Bumblebees!

Thu, 03/03/2011 - 11:49

Juan Botella

Hi there, lovely bumblebees, thank you for sending all the questions and the I love you messages. We
did not go ice fishing when we found ice. It then melted like it does on
the lakes around Madison when the spring arrives. Since we fall is starting
over here, can you believe it, we expect to see ice forming again. I hope
they will let us hop on a large chunk of ice. We might go ice fishing then.
They call this the ice liberty; that would be fun.
I get lots of exercise by trying to stay on my feet as I walk around. It is
funny to walk when the floor and the walls keep moving. I also get exercise
when I get to the gym, which has not been that often. I tried running on
one of the machines, but it was hard as it kept swinging with the boat. I
am exercising on the stationary bicycle, it seems easier than jogging.
I have made lots of friends here. Everybody has been very nice since we
are all in the same boat.
I am glad you are practicing your Spanish. I have a friend here from
Argentina with who I sometimes practice my Spanish.
I miss you all; wish I could get a big hug, specially from special Ana. Te
quiero mucho. Espero que tengas unbuen día.
Thanks again for writing, bumblebees. You brighten this stormy day. We have
been on the same storm for a day and a half without being able to work.
Juan.

Thu, 03/10/2011 - 07:03

Anonymous

Hi Juan and Papa, Ana loves the penguin. She has brought it to school to share and love. Can we send you mail? If so, what is the address? Where did you get the penguin from? What is the temperature? We got over 5 inches of snow on tuesday night. How many roommates do you have? How do you wash and dry your clothes? We made heart penguins and have been singing penguins songs and reading about penguins. What other animals do you see?
Goodbye for now, we love and miss you Mucho!!
the bumblebees and Ana

Thu, 03/10/2011 - 13:28

Juan Botella

Dear bumblebees, thanks a lot for writing again. I am glad the penguin I sent Ana made
its way down there. I hope she will take good care of it. I sent the
penguin from McMurdo Station, Antarctica on February 19. We do not have any
more mail access now that we are on the boat; thank you for offering to
send something.
The temperature here has been consistently around 30 F. Probably warmer
than over there. We have had light snow every other day, but nothing like 5
inches! that sounds like fun. I have 3 roommates (Sam, Eric and Stuart),
and they are all very nice. We have washers and dryers for our clothes, but
we cannot use them when the seas get too high and the boat moves a lot. I
need to rush to the laundry room when I am running low on clean clothes and
the weather forecast suggest rough days ahead.
I am glad to hear you are having penguin related activities. We have
also seen humpback whales, seals, albatross and petrels. We have also seen
many icebergs; they are not animals, but very cool.
Please send me jokes appropriate for bumblebees if you know them. Ana
asked me for one the other day and I blanked. I am sure she will ask again.
Thanks again for writing. I miss all of you mucho as well, specially Ana.
Juan.

Tue, 03/29/2011 - 07:28

Anonymous

HI Juan/Papa...How are you doing on your trip? We miss you mucho! Here are a few jokes for you to tell...
Knock, knock, who's there? Banana. Banana Who? Knock, Knock, who's there? Banana. Banana Who? Knock, knock, who's there? Orange. Orange who?
Orange you glad I didn't say banana.
Knock, knock, who's there? Dwayne. Dwayne who? Dwayne the tub I'm drowning.
Are there any trees or plants in Antartica? How about birds that fly? Have you seen any of those?
Ana would like to know when you are coming home. We told her in about one month!
Sophia wants to ask if there are any pictures of Antartica.
Lucienne wants to know if you have any fun on the ship.
DIana wants you to bring back an iceberg from Antartica. Can you do that?
Daphne wants to know if there are any books in Antartica?
Olivia wants to know if there are any penguin books?
We read Ellison the Elephant this morning and its a great book! Ana told us you sent it to her. She will bring her other book you sent to her on Thursday. She is very excited to share these with us. She can read most of Ellison the Elephant to us.
Hope you are having a great time! It is starting to look like spring in Madison!
Love,
The Bumblebees

Tue, 03/29/2011 - 13:59

Juan Botella

Dear Bublebees, thanks for writing again; you bring joy to my day!
Thanks for the jokes. I must have looked silly laughing by myself in front
of the computer.
There are no trees in Antarctica. All life depends on the oceans. We have
seen flying birds: Skuas, Petrels (Antarctic, Snow, Cape and Giant), and
Albatrosses.
I have posted lots of pictures of Antarctica, if that is what Sophia means.
There are also pictures as in movies about Antarctica, like 'Happy feet' or
more serious one like the 'March of the penguins'.
Please tell Lucienne that I have lots of fun on the ship. It is always a
treat to be able to go outside and see icebergs, ice fields, seals,
penguins, whales, flying birds, sunsets, sunrises, and Auroras!
I will try to bring a tiny iceberg, but it will probably melt by the time I
get to Madison.
There are tons of books on the ship, and I saw a lot more in McMurdo
Station, but most of Antarctica is just covered with snow and ice, so there
are no books there
I have seen a couple of penguin books. They help me know what type of
penguin I am observing.
I am glad Ana is enjoying her two books and that you all get to read them.
I will be back in about a month, as you said. Someone told me on the ship
it would be a good idea to create a paper chain with the same number of
links as days I will be gone. The kids can get a sense of time by removing
one link every day. I should be back on Thursday April 28.
Thanks again for writing. I miss you all very much. Muchos besos a Ana!
Juan.

Thu, 04/07/2011 - 07:02

Anonymous

Ana wants to know: How easy is it to sleep in the bunkbed when the ship is moving? How is the weather?Luicenne wants to know: It is rainy and starting to get warmer here. Kari wants to know:What do you miss most about Madison besides your family? What do you like about the ship? How do you feel about ship? Do you look any different from when you left us? Sophia wants to know: Is there any comfy spots to sit in? Are you being good? Hope you have a great day!! Hugs and kisses, the Bumblebees

Thu, 04/07/2011 - 07:02

Anonymous

Ana wants to know: How easy is it to sleep in the bunkbed when the ship is moving? How is the weather?Luicenne wants to know: It is rainy and starting to get warmer here. Kari wants to know:What do you miss most about Madison besides your family? What do you like about the ship? How do you feel about ship? Do you look any different from when you left us? Sophia wants to know: Is there any comfy spots to sit in? Are you being good? Hope you have a great day!! Hugs and kisses, the Bumblebees

Thu, 04/07/2011 - 07:03

Anonymous

Ana wants to know: How easy is it to sleep in the bunkbed when the ship is moving? How is the weather?Luicenne wants to know: It is rainy and starting to get warmer here. Kari wants to know:What do you miss most about Madison besides your family? What do you like about the ship? How do you feel about ship? Do you look any different from when you left us? Sophia wants to know: Is there any comfy spots to sit in? Are you being good? Hope you have a great day!! Hugs and kisses, the Bumblebees

Thu, 04/07/2011 - 07:04

Anonymous

Ana wants to know: How easy is it to sleep in the bunkbed when the ship is moving? How is the weather?Luicenne wants to know: It is rainy and starting to get warmer here. Kari wants to know:What do you miss most about Madison besides your family? What do you like about the ship? How do you feel about ship? Do you look any different from when you left us? Sophia wants to know: Is there any comfy spots to sit in? Are you being good? Hope you have a great day!! Hugs and kisses, the Bumblebees

Thu, 04/07/2011 - 12:59

Juan Botella

Hi beautiful bumblebees, thanks again for writing. I am glad to receive your questions.
Ana, it is sometimes hard to sleep on the bunk beds, specially when the
boat moves a lot. I am a good sleeper, as you know, so once I go to sleep
it is hard to wake up. We have not had super big waves, yet. People have
told me that when it gets really rough I could put my life vest under one
side of the bed so the mattress is inclined towards the wall so I do not
roll out. Another person said she embraces the mattress and puts her arm
under the side of the mattress towards the wall. I am thinking that if we
get those seas I will put the mattress on the floor so I do not go flying.
I hope I do not get to try that, though.
Lucienne, I am glad you are entering spring up there. It is fall for us,
but it looks more like winter. We are having snow every other day and we do
not get to see trees loosing their leaves.
Kari: I miss being able to play soccer and run around. I miss the sun in my
face, as it is mostly cloudy and we spend most of the time indoors. I miss
my classroom and friends. I like about the ship that we get to see
different things every day, like icebergs, penguins, whales, seals, and the
science that is happening on the ship. I do look differently. I have not
shaved since we left McMurdo. I have three or four white hairs on my beard!
I assume I am a bit heavier now, but not too much.
Sophia, there are plenty of comfy spots where to seat, and I am being very
good. I am working a lot, since there is not much more to do besides
working, eating, and sleeping.
Thanks a lot for writing. Hugs and kisses to all of you as well.
Juan.

Tue, 04/12/2011 - 09:00

Anonymous

Hola Juan, Did the researchers do the project with the cameras on the penguins back? I heard about it on TV. It was 80 degree on Sunday! What do you drink on the ship? Where do they get the food that you eat? We are excited for you to come back and share your adventures with us. Silas whats to know if there are any bikes?LOTS OF HUGS FROM THE BEES

Tue, 04/12/2011 - 11:50

Juan Botella

Hi wonderful bees, thanks for writing with lots of questions. We are not doing any research
on penguins, mostly on seawater, so we are not placing cameras on the
penguins. That sounds like fun. We have all sorts of things to drink on the
ship. I mostly drink tasty water (we remove the salt from water from the
ocean), and milk (whole and skim). They also have soy milk (a.k.a. dodo, so
Ana would like that), juices, chocolate milk, coffee, teas, and sodas. We
get the food from the very large storage facilities that look more like a
small grocery stores. We are no longer eating fresh vegetables, but frozen
and canned.
Silas might be happy to know that we do have bicycles. One is a stationary
one in the gym, and the other belongs to Dan. You might want to see the
journal post from yesterday in which you can see Dan bringing his bike out
of the ship during the ice party we had. There was too much snow for him to
ride, though.
Thanks again fro writing. I will be back in Madison a little over two weeks
from now and will be glad to visit you all! Hugs from Antarctica,
Juan.

Thu, 04/14/2011 - 07:54

Anonymous

Hi Jaun, Not long til you get back to us. Hong long does it take to get to wisconsin from Antarctica? How do you get home? Did you get us our iceberg? dO YOU THINK YOU COULD WRITE A BOOK ABOUT ANTARCTICA? When you saw the whale did it scare you? Are they as big as the ship? We hope you have a great trip home. Ana send her love and kisses. See you soon> The Bees

Thu, 04/14/2011 - 09:50

Juan Botella

Hi great bees, You are right! I will arrive in Wisconsin exactly two weeks from today.
The ship will come to port on April 25 in Punta Arenas, Chile. I will help
out a day and a half unloading all the equipment and cargo from the Palmer.
I will then fly from Punta Arenas to Santiago de Chile, and from there take
a plane to the US. I do not have my ticket yet, but I am guessing I will
enter the country at Dallas, TX and then fly to beautiful Madison! Last
night I dreamed that I had forgotten to shave in Chile (I have not shaved
since McMurdo, and Ana said I will remove the beard before getting to
Madison) and that Ana was helping me shave.
I got a small iceberg and left it on deck, but it is not there anymore.
Maybe it felt lonely and jumped out to be with the other bergs. A book on
Antarctica? mmmh, I am not a good English writer; we will see what my brain
needs to download into paper later on.
I was too excited to be afraid by the whales. A friend took video where
you can see the whole body of two whales and they are not as big as the
ship. Pretty big, though. Thanks for the good wishes, I look forward to
seeing you all again. Muchos besos for Ana and all of you,
Juan.

Wed, 04/20/2011 - 10:13

Anonymous

Hi Juan, the bumblebees have run out of questions to ask you. they are excited to see you and hear about your adventures. The teachers wanted to know if you can see the stars and the southern lights? We would also like you to have someone take a picture of you standind in from of the ship on the dock, so we can see how big the ship is. A picture with tiny little Juan and a great big ship. Thanks and have a safe and fast trip home. We miss your fuzzy face.HAHA The Bees

Wed, 04/20/2011 - 12:35

Juan Botella

Hi wonderful bees, thanks for writing again. I am very excited that I will get to see you
soon. I will be flying out of Chile in a week! Pretty exciting. I will make
sure you get to see the pictures of the southern lights. We have had a
handful of clear nights, and one happened as the sky was completely green
for moments. We also saw a few stars. I will show you the pictures when I
get back.
I took a picture of me in front of the ship when we were out in the ice.
You will get to see how tiny I look with the big the ship, as you well
said. You will see my fuzzy face in pictures, but I will make sure I shave
before I get there. I want Ana and Diego to recognize me after all this
time.
Thanks for your good wishes. I miss you all.
Juan.