10: The 7th Continent for Icebergs and Icecubes

We made it ashore

 LOCATION:  Antarctic Peninsular

Yippee, we did it. For a moment it didn't look like it was going to happen. @Mareika had mapped out big plans for the day which included a beach walk and a cliff trek in the snow to get us ashore on the continent. Mother Nature exerted her will and with constant wind and swells - and with gusts reaching 35 knots - plans A, B , C and D were abandoned. @Captain Sasha couldn't manage an anchorage - the Silver Wind was dragging its anchor and yawing - we had to settle for sloppy water conditions and an icy shore landing.

Rainbow and blue sky - but howling winds ... it was brief glimpse of sun

But true to form, despite the challenges, they somehow made something out of nothing.

Scouting party met with solid ice surface

We therefore spent the morning in a holding pattern. We had been diligent in getting the breakfast order out last night and set up the table early to enjoy a light breakfast on the assumption we would be hiking. And then settled in for the waiting game.

 The announcements and updates kept coming through. Mind you we didn't really need Marieka at this point to tell us about the sea and wind - we coukd see, feel and hear it for ourselves.  But we were ever optimistic and stayed layered up in anticipation of the go signal.

I had craft projects and puzzles to keep me happy - @Mac could entertain himself with treks for coffee and as the day wore on morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea while battling away in the "Clash of Clans."

The lecture schedule was changed - which meant you could attend some enrichment sessions either in person or by tuning in through the stateroom TV - the stateroom certainly suited me.

There was a heightened sense of anticipation because you were in a constant state of readiness.

Ready very early ... but nearly missed the boat

Well, we thought we were ready - had been partially layered in preparation since 6 30 in the morning. When the final call came for Zodiac 2 to report - @Mac and I were caught short. There was a mad dash to finish getting into all the bits and we were a good 10 minutes behind the others. They held a spot in the line for us as we barged our way through the mudroom.

The Adventure

Into the heaving Zodiac - there was no way we were missing this ride. It was a slow process. The Zodiacs were queued up, circling as if they were were trying to find a parking spot at the shopping centre on Christmas Eve.

Trying to find these guys - they were nisiy and stinky on the rocks

Seals on bergs and on shore

Part of the attraction here at Orne Harbour was to see the Chinstrap Penguins. A colony was perched on the cliffs here chattering away all neatly kitted in that little helmet! A few humpbacks were doing their thing around us and we got to play "spot the cormorant" and wave to the seals. Plenty to see while we waited for our turn.

Phew, made it

Rocky shore home to Chinstraps - no closeup

Finally, @Greg had our boat nudged in close to the shore and -@Mareika was excitedly handing us ashore for "the " photo.

Spot the landing area on the right... through the ice

 This was a definite wet landing to get onto shore and without doubt I can testify that chinstrap poop is the most pungent of all the guano. Despite the landing area only sporting three round pink piles of poop - it was putrid.

Just a few little mounds and it was stinky

We could only take half a dozen steps across the rocks before being met with the solid block of ice. The platform was impassable and as for the zig zig supposed snow ascent - it too was solid.

Solid ice ashore

Definitely grateful to be ashore and just pose with the flag.

The photos that matter!

Post landing celebrations

And the big surprise, the bar staff were out in the middle of the bay in a Zodiac, hosting a whiskey bar. Hilarious. @Greg pulled us in for champagne, hot chocolate and Amarula or whiskey and our little boat's group of visitors to the 7th Continent raised our glasses for a toast. 

Cheers to us

We were definitely on a warm high on our return to the Silver Wind. Literally, giddy with excitement. I guess that explains the confusion that followed and what marks as the funniest moment to date. I'm still laughing.

Heading back to the Silver Wind and the mudroom

There is a little chaos associated with the mudroom. All the boots for the 240 passengers ate slotted on shelves here. There are three benches in the centre with room for just three bottoms at a time on each - at a squeeze all kiited up. You are mustered 28 people at a time. As your 28 are arriving the return groups come back in 8s or 12s. It's busy. And you are trying to be quick.

So we are back and because we have stepped ashore you go through the boot scrub process - another four stages of machine cleaning, dry cleaning, hose and brush cleaning and disinfectant.  Five of us are through and busy de-booting (using the trick boot removing tool) and have collected our day shoes. @Lloyd clomps through last, goes to his allocated locker spot, grabs his day shoes and with earnest intent, calls very loudly to @Deb "Where are my bloody boots, Mumsie?"

For anyone who wears glasses. You know the answer. Mumsie didn't even have time to lift her head and solve the puzzle because @Loraine, with  a front row close up  bench view solved the puzzle in a nano second. Much to the delight of everyone in the mudroom. So simple, you could say it knocked @Lloyd's socks off.

 

No hints- just leaving it with you to solve. An absolute CLASSIC given the size and weight of the boots.

The evening routine was the same - except we had been demoted in our table allocation. We had lost our window setting to a group celebrating a birthday. Oh well, guess we have to share. Certainly didn't impact our appetite and @Naina continued to provide fun and food.

Hard to believe, only one more day of onshore adventure before we head home. @Mareika has already given us the heads up that after the shore landing tomorrow, @Captain Sasha will be putting the pedal down to try and outrun a predicted storm. We are all in for that - boots and all - especially @Lloyd.

PS Have left a note for our butler @Pratish to see if he can organise a progressive dinner for us hosted across our three suites. See if he can make this happen.

A plan for tomorrow night ... we'll see

Survival Barometer

Steps 8601

Weather 1 degree windy conditions and rain

Health other that confused about finding boots - everyone doing well

Can you believe this? 

 Amazing Facts About Chinstrap Penguins from Co-Pilot

Distinctive Appearance

- Black band under the chin gives them the look of wearing a helmet strap, hence their name.  

- Their plumage is sleek black-and-white, making them look like they’re dressed in formal attire.  

Habitat & Range

- Found across Antarctica and sub-Antarctic islands such as the South Shetlands, South Orkneys, South Georgia, and Bouvet Island.  

- They prefer rocky, ice-free slopes for nesting, often near volcanic islands like Deception Island.  

Colony Life

- Colonies can number in the tens of thousands, resembling a noisy metropolis.  

- Their loud, harsh calls have earned them nicknames like “stonecracker penguin” because of the ear-splitting volume.  

- Stone thieves: They steal pebbles from each other’s nests, sparking noisy disputes.  

- Volcanic neighbors: Some colonies live on active volcanic islands, nesting among steaming rocks.  

- Extreme endurance: Despite brutal Antarctic winds and temperatures, they thrive in some of the harshest conditions on Earth.  

For Jesse .... we had breakfast early hoping for two walks today ... the weather wouldn't let us ashore