Adventure With Julie, Emperor Penguins, October 13 to 26 2010
Chris Epting and his daughter Claire, winners of the Adventure with Julie contest, will be traveling on Quark Expeditions Emperor Penguins voyage: a 14-days dream cruise where highlights include seeing adult Emperors as they tend chicks at the Snow Hill Island rookery. Chris and Claire will be blogging about their adventure before, during and after the cruise. We wish them "bon voyage" on this one-in-a-lifetime trip and look forward to their blog posts.
Fernweh: An Aching For The Distance
By Blog.Admin
Emerging from the throes of the Drake Passage this morning, I have to say that my fears going in have been converted to pure respect for this daunting stretch of water ...
Like a Western Ghost Town Set in Snow
By Blog.Admin
Landed on the soft, black cinder beach and began exploring the remnants of an old Whaling Station and Arctic survey base-a handful of buildings, fuel tanks, cemetery - like a Western ghost town set in snow, foreboding, forgotten and hauntingly beautiful.
The Hills are Alive with the Sound of Adelie Penguins
By Blog.Admin
Yesterday we actually got to set foot on land (versus ice) as the Zodiacs brought us to shore on Devil Island (named for the two 'horns' that lava flow created).
All Hail the Emperors
By Blog.Admin
Another spectacular day of Emperor Penguin viewing yesterday. Picture perfect weather and a new colony formation out beyond the previously visited groups made for some rewarding moments.
We are truly experiencing Antarctica
By prisca.campbell
Yesterday was an interesting one - we didn't venture in to see the penguins, yet the day was just as majestic as the one previous.
You realize that Nature is observing you - by the thousands!
By Blog.Admin
A magnificent day. Claire and I just finished breakfast with SeaWorld Ambassador Julie Scardina, trying to make sense of yesterday - it was just that spectacular.
Our First Emperor Penguins at Snow Hill
By Blog.Admin
We arrived at Snow Hill Island and the Kapitan created a parking space for itself by cutting into the ice - a great show to watch. This will be home for several days.
The Drake Passage - Where the Fun Started
By Blog.Admin
Well, they say that Drake Passage is the roughest area of ocean on Earth, and both Claire and I can verify that now. Two nights ago, the ship had to turn away on a re-course due to storms, and that's where most of the fun started.
Greetings from the Drake Passage
By Blog.Admin
Greetings from the middle of the Drake Passage, where the swells are the color of deep blue ice (and the ship is swaying strong)
We are off and we've met Julie Scardina!
By Blog.Admin
A splendid final day in town - a great lunch at an Argentine BBQ restaurant. And now - we are off.