I need more adjectives!
I need more adjectives!
By Blog.Admin
Right now I'm in the lounge bar of the Lyubov Orlova having a glass of wine with a group of fantastic friends, chatting and listening to jazz music after one of the most amazing sunsets I've ever seen.This was by far the best way to finish a day that I'll never forget. Today, and for the first time in my life, I have placed my feet on the Antarctica continent! yeahhh!
Around seven o'clock, the Penguin group was ready and lined up on the gangway! I looked down and I could see the Zodiac (small rubber boat that is used to transport us ashore and back) that would take us to Livingstone Island, more specifically, Hannah Point which is a site well known for its wildlife. I jumped inside the Zodiac, the sea was a bit wavy, rain was falling, and it was quite windy and cloudy.
I must admit the whole scenery was a bit intimidating but at that moment I was more than ready! Ahead we could see the island, and as soon as the Zodiac approached the landing spot, a lot of small black and white dots started to appear on top of the rocks… the unique and remarkable penguins! This was it - Antarctica!
The initial and rainy trekking took us along the Chinstrap and Gentoo penguin rookeries until a broad black sandy beach (Walker's bay) where a group of noisy elephant seals were simply laying down, relaxing! What was really incredible was that we saw a not-so-commonly seen leopard seal! Some of the passengers even saw her grabbing and eating a penguin! I wasn't lucky enough to catch that moment but I did see her in the water just looking around, choosing dessert!
Back on the ship, I remember entering my cabin, throwing myself to bed and simply stop to think about all the things that had just happened, and this was only half the day. Next stop was Deception Island, and just sailing along the coastline was already unforgettable. Pure Black mountains covered in white snow, peaks and enormous cliffs, simply breathtaking views everywhere we looked at, and for the first time in my life, I even saw a whale, a Humpback whale that was more or less 100 meters away from the ship. Extraordinary!
Telefon bay was by itself already a dream place, but can you imagine what made it even more astonishing? It began to snow! The black volcanic scenery already with some snow scattered around, rapidly started to become completely painted in white. A small walk led us to a spectacular view over a volcano crater, and a little bit further ahead, amazing views over the main caldera. During this part we started to hear some people screaming, but don't get worried! They were just the first group to do polar plunge - yes, I'm serious - people were diving in the Antarctica waters - and we were next.
I must confess the idea is quite a bit crazy, but after throwing myself to the sea dressed up as a Macaroni Penguin back in Portugal, doing it again in the cold amazing Antarctic waters seemed pretty reasonable to me! It ended up feeling really good, and the temperature was not so bad! What a day - thank you!
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Obrigado Marta! Está tudo bem e ksto é sem dúvida uma viagem inesquecícel… Vais ver quando pusermos as fotos!!
Luís;
Qualquer dia també cám virás Patoi!!Beijosss!!
Luís
Obrigado Marta! Está tudo bem e isto é sem dúvida uma viagem inesquecível… Vais ver quando pusermos as fotos!!
Luís
Ainda bem!E tu preenches-me o meu namorada linda!!
Luís
Não podemos tocar em animais, mas eles podem tocar em nós!E temos isso gravado!ehehe
Está tudo bem linda…Falei contigo há pouco:)
Message delivered!
Luís
Comments delivered
Luís
Hi to Dr. Tom & Terri from Berkeley. Everything good here! Looks like post-earthquake tsunamis are heading north and west from Chile... scary. The last I heard, only Japan & Russia were on the watch list for tsunamis.
Please keep all of us updated, Luis... the blog is GREAT!
Uncle David & Baby Alexis
To Tom and Terri, All sounds fantastic! We(S,G,A)are enjoying the vogage along with you via the blog. David arrives this afternoon. E and B in Mexico. Alexis is perfect, smiling and sends hugs. Dad very happy! xoxo all of us
Pessoal não consigo ligar para o barco... love espero que esteja tudo bem! beijos Mari
Brutal Luis! Nem consigo imaginar. Deve ser mesmo único. Tenta dar um beijinho a um pinguim, ou vocês não lhes podem tocar ou aproximar?
Divirtam-se!
Olaaa :) tenho tirado muitos sorrisos com o que escreves! Fico muito feliz! mergulhar 2 vezes na antarctica? doidooo!!! :) tens o dom da escrita. adoro ler o que escreves! preenche-me o dia! beijos :) Mari*
Oh yeahhh!
Luís
E uma sensacao brutalíssima!!!E hoje foi outra vez!eheheh Nao e baleia leopardo, mas sim foca leopardo! E e muito perigosa sim..! mas eu estava na praia!eheheh Viejos mama!!!
Luís
Thank you mom!!!! Love you!!!
****
Luís
Hello Ellen!
I will contact you for sure!! I haven't seen yet an Emperor. Thank you for your comments!
Luís
Que show de escrita Luis!!
Eu bem digo que é quase como se estivessemos aí com vocês!!
Ainda bem que aproveitaste a oportunidade de mergulhar, sonho é sonho e já que aí estás mais vale experimentares de tudo!! Bem...quase tudo...li algures que anda para esses lados um iceberg do tamanho do Luxemburgo à solta!!! :)))
Continuação de boa viagem!!
Beijinhos para a turma do Pingu*
Espectacular!!!! Que feliz que estou por ti e por todos os teus companheiros. É sem dúvida muito agradável assistir à concretização de um sonho. Muitos beijinhos a todos. Por cá está tudo bem, a única coisa que está mal, é o cheiro a inveja que paira no ar....lololol....divirtam-se e curtam muito. Bjocas ao maridão ;)
Yay, Luis! When you get back get in touch with me. I have a great photo of a friend of mine standing toe-to-toe with an Emperor Penguin. She is quite short so the bird is just about as tall as she is. I never told you but I am an ornithologist.
To describe all the beautiful environment and also this experience I think that LUIS was a very good choice .He decribe not only his feelings but has the ability to create on their friends, Family and on all people the sensation that we are with him also. Thank you Luis.
O que te disse? não é uma sensação boa o mergulho nas águas mais ou menos geladas e quentes e cá fora um frio de rachar?
Deve ter sido espectacular ! para mim foi e no entanto nunca estive na antarctica....vai gozando e APRECIA tudo o que vai passando por aí.Em relação á baleia Leopardo foi coincidência pois ontem ainda deu uma enrevista na rtp2 um tal Lacerda mergulhador que já esteve na antarctica e que esteve a mergulhar com as baleias Leopardo que ele referiu serem bastante agresivas e o seu prato preferido ser PINGUINS.è interessante pois eu e o teu pai vimos esse tipo de baleias que ele fotografou debaixo de água.Espero que te vás divertindo e apeciando essa viagem. BJS de todos para todos.
Great dives! :D