Second Continental Landing

31 Jan 2009

Second Continental Landing

By Blog.Admin

29 January 2009

The good fortune experienced on day one continued for the first morning of day two. We started out with another continental landing at Prospect Point. A gentle snow slope led up to a heavily glaciated ice field. Spread out beneath us the ocean was choked with old pans of sea ice and icebergs of all shapes and sizes and shades of blue. After the landing we took to the ocean and cruised the glacier front along with a curious leopard seal and myriad penguins. Some of the old sea ice pans were fairly thick so we were able to land the zodiacs and go for a walk on the ocean much to the delight of everyone in my zodiac.

During the cruise strong currents had pushed a lot of ice around the ship. One zodiac became trapped in the ice for a short time. With some help from the wind and a colleague the zodiac and its crew was soon freed from its predicament. Once all were back on board we made for Duchaylard Island where we found a number of huge grounded icebergs. A trio of humpbacks turned up to entertain us, however, the wind and swell started to increase so the ships captain sounded the horn and we all returned soaking wet for a warm cup of mocha.

After dinner we cruised north back through the Lemaire Channel and on to Port Lockroy where we dropped anchor for the evening. In the morning we had the good folks from the station on board for breakfast. After breakfast we headed into the museum inside the old British Antarctic Survey (BAS) hut on Goudier Island and wandered amongst the Gentoo Penguin colony on nearby Weincke Island.

After lunch we sailed to the aptly named Paradise Bay for a visit to the Argentine base, Almirante Brown and a cruise along a huge glacier front. We witnessed glacier calvings, whales, seals and nesting Blue-eyed Shags, Snowy Sheathbills, Gentoos and Cape Petrels. Some folks took time to ascend the hill behind the base to enjoy views across the bay and the hurried descent on their backsides.

Once on board ship more than twenty insane folks decided to take the polar plunge into icy seas. Two burly seamen hauled dripping wet passengers back on board and within moments the friendly hotel manager plied them with a shot of vodka to warm the cockles.

We are now sailing for the South Shetlands and once more we are surrounded by humpback whales. Until next time!

David Sinclair

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