February 4, 2020

CRUISING ANTARCTIC WATERS

First off all, some of my previous post have been lacking pictures. This is due to the spotty internet connection on this end of the world. When my connection improves, I promise I will load up some more pictures.

This morning we were suppose to be up early to take in possible wildlife sightings. The weather was around 0C deg and some light fog. You could see there was sun above the clouds. We started to notice small pieces of ice floating by the ship. Better have breakfast before we go on deck. After breakfast, all bundled up in winter clothes we went onto the deck. Soon as I stepped outside, we seen a huge iceberg floating by. This was quite the sight, as this was the first time I have seen a real iceberg. Not long after we saw our first couple of killer whales, very near to the ship. The white on the killer whales here is slightly brownish, to being bright white up north. Shortly after seeing several killer whales, we stated to see humpback whales also. From time to time schools of very small Penguins where riding the waves. Towards mid day the clouds starting to break up and making room for beautiful blue sky’s. It is quite a stunning scenery between the snow capped mountains rising up out of the water, and the bright blue skies making for very nice pictures. In the afternoon we pulled up near a penguin rookery on a rocky beach ahead of us. I could have a good look at them with my binaculars, but they were to far away to get a good photo graph of them. We sailed by a couple of base camps, which belonged to Chile and Argentina. Through out the afternoon we kept seeing whales and small penguins and the odd albatros. We were treated by a beautifull sunset here in Antarctica. I would not call it a total sunset, but it disappeared behind a mountain range. Looking back on today, it was very special.

Today we cruised in the following areas: Gerlache Strait, Cuverville Island, Paradise Harbour Waterboat Point and Brown Station

Cheers

“South America” “Antartica” ” Cruising”