Brrrrrrr … it made us long for warmer weather when we began our Antarctic exploration on Monday, January 30. Early in the morning we passed between Clarence and Elephant Islands, and saw our first “blue ice.” The ice is a lovely shade of bright turquoise blue, which makes it look almost fake. We headed through the Bransfield Strait, and then into Hope Bay, moving through the Antarctic Sound. All of the scenery was peaceful and still, and we saw some large cormorants and other flying birds circling the ship.
The adventure continued the following day. We passed the UK’s Port Lockroy Station early in the morning, then went through the Bismarck Strait to Paradise Harbor, past the Argentinian Brown’s Station, then the Chilean Station, Neko Harbor, Herrera Channel, Gierlach Strait, and finally, Lion Island. Throughout it all we had exceptionally nice weather, sunny, mild, with no wind and beautiful visibility. It was an exceptionally lovely day. We spent much of the day outdoors on the rear deck and the front deck. The ship served hot chocolate and other warm drinks to thaw us out. One thrill was when the Chilean Station scientists saw us, they began waving a huge Chilean flag, standing on the Station roof. Because the Station was completely surrounded and overrun by penguins, it looked as though the humans were surrendering to the penguins, who definitely had superior numbers!
Back on the ship, it was yet another formal night, this one for the Blue and Silver Ball. Frank and I decided to eat dinner in the Lido instead, and it was very good.
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