‘The World is only tolerable because of the empty spaces.’ Doris Lessing
Weather: Fine
Brown Bluff. Iceberg zodiac expedition.
Returned from the Antarctic Peninsula – another early morning wake up and breakfast with clear skies and sunshine. Did our official landing on the Antarctic continent and now can claim that we have now had foot on all seven continents!
Did an ice-berg cruise and would love a dress in the colours that reflect from sun to sea to ice. Almost edible. The sun is shining and we are almost HOT. We sit and chat with hot chocolate in our hands and with various people in the group, most amusing. Conversations range from American football to sheep farming in Tasmania. Use your imagination to conjour up the various twangs and intonations.
We had another wonderful braai on the deck last night. Surrounded by tabular icebergs, clear skies and sunshine this must have been the most unusual braai that we have ever participated in. Caribbean music played as the staff cooked delicious meat and we helped ourselves to salads and drank gluwien from paper cups.
Our group consisted of a South African couple from Benoni, an Israeli couple and ourselves. At one stage we were doing the ‘conga’ through the tables simply to keep our feet from falling off the end of our legs. We had the staff dancing with us and we put that day down as ‘one of the best’.
Early morning start onto the Zodiacs to land at Elephant Island. This is where the survivors stayed for five months waiting for Shackleton’s rescue. We are the first expedition ship to land here this year.
Towering glaciers, ice blue is the colour description. Fine icicles drip from the edges as they drift in the ocean.
The Zodiacs move from ship very easily and return just as easily. Once back at the ship the craft are hoisted up and checked so as to be ready for the next expedition.
Surrounded by icebergs and have just heard that due to the excellent weather conditions we have changed direction and are to visit Penguin Island before going to the Antarctic Peninsula. All being well we land there after dinner this evening. Another wonderful bonus.
After dinner we were called onto the bridge to see a pod of Orcas feeding. I have only ever seen orcas in movies and Sea World in Florida. These were swimming and foraging in ocean, coming up to breathe every now and then. The ship was silent as the captain turned her around so that we could view these magnificent dolphins.
We are now waiting to go on another expedition to Penguin Island. This is another ‘bonus’ excursion. Nine o’clock at night.
What an evening. We landed on the island which was covered in snow. Weddell fur seals lay on the snow with Chinstrap and Adele penguins crouched on the ice. One or two were most curious and poddled over tilted their heads and peered at the passengers.
Back on board and after a cup of hot chocolate we are now ready to sail onto to another amazing area.
