Our first landing
Our first landing
By Blog.Admin
By early afternoon, we sighted our first iceberg. Then, a bit later, it was announced that because we completed our crossing much earlier than expected, we would have the opportunity to make an unscheduled landing at Deception Island. At 9:30, we boarded our Zodiacs and were off!
As we came ashore, many of the young women (and not a few men) began shrieking with delight. As if on cue, three penguins were awaiting us on the beach. The most amazing aspect of it all was their seemingly nonchalant attitude towards us. Having no natural land predators, penguins (and seals as well for the matter) have no fear of humans. We clicked away with our cameras and they didn't seem to be bothered at all.
Deception Island is formed by an active volcano rising out of the Southern Ocean. So when we were walking across the island's black sand beaches, past abandoned research and whaling stations, we were walking through the caldera of the volcano itself. Some of us hiked up the side of the volcano to a feature known as "Neptune's Window." There, a portion of the cone has collapsed, forming a frame through which to view the sea. The landscape is breathtaking, with seemingly tropical-green waters below and seabirds nesting on the cliffs to either side. On a clear day, you can see all the way to the Antarctic Peninsula. We stayed on Deception Island for a little over an hour, and when we returned to the ship, we were treated to a tree trimming, hot mulled wine, and Swedish cookies. Tomorrow, with any luck, we will set foot on the Antarctic continent.
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