So many possibilities for that first pic - but it had to this one because the moment it captured was one of sheer joy - embracing everything!
LOCATION: Antarctic Sound
What's happening?
We can definitely relate to that 19 year old sailor in 1820 who saw Antarctica appear out of the fog. @Deb was in our cabin on the balcony when a massive mountain of ice popped out of the mist . Her response "Oh #$%@," - it was HUGE and literally materialised out of nowhere.
That's a big iceberg behind us
That was the start of a day that left us in awe - because that first sighting was the gateway to an ever changing landscape that was dotted with white, blue and black ice in all shapes and sizes interspersed with wobbling penguins, slumbering seals, feeding whales and swooping birds. Sunshine competed with clouds and mist and the calm seas prevailed and there wasnot a breathe of wind.
Despite not having all the right words to capture the totality of our feelings and emotions - guess i could start by saying it was "thrilling and chilling." And all the emotions and excitement are amplified because you are sharing the experience with friends. I know that for those who have already "been there done that" it is rekindling memories and evoking those unique feelings associated with your adventure. After just one taste - it is that sort of moment!
So grateful.
The Adventure
Ticked off attendance at a few activities:
A. The morning was all about getting into the Zodiacs. The Captain had encountered thick fog and pack ice in the run south overnight and we entered the area of the Fish Island at a very slow pace. Did mean that plan A was replaced by Plan B and eventually Plan C was enacted. We are privileged to have cabins on both sides of the ship so there was a bit of hall hopping and door dashing in play as highlights were announced from the Bridge.
We were given a 30 minute heads up for our Zodiac departure and we needed every minute of that to layer up and squiggle our way into unfamiliar gear.
Clumped our way to the mud room and stepped outside at water level to be immersed in the chill and thrill of our introductory 80 minute ride.
@Mac had tried to put his hands in his mittens as we stepped outside and realised he had them on the wrong hands. Immediately removed them from his wrists and stuffed them up his parka. Big mistake. As soon as he stretched to engage the sailor's grip to get on board - his mitten flew out. A collective gasp ensued - thought it was the first pollution moment! Luck was on his side and it was retrieved by the staff. A couple of lessons learnt!
The reality, that was the only drama. After that it was literally all smooth sailing. Mind you, i did "throw an earring" - it got caught up in all the layers and came out of my ear to find its way to the floor of the boat.
Our biggest challenge was controlling runny noses - but @Loraine and I had that covered with a handy face washer discreetly pinned to a top pocket in our parka.
We did the sit and slide and under the careful watch of @Andre, we took turns standing and sitting to share the angles for the views @Marieka is scouting the area in her lead Zodiac and the little boats take turns in nudging up to the highlights and our driver @Andre provided the quiet commentary and answered questions.
On today's outing we were rugged up and dry - sat comfortably in sunshine and not cold - so much as chilled. Exposed skin on the face knew we were in minus 4 conditions - but the body was warm. My little hand warmers easily accessible in my pockets were an added insurance against the chill.
The ice in its range of shapes, sizes, colours and texture would have been "enough." But when we added the wildlife and the collective duty of "spotting" the time just disappeared.
Getting back on board, de booting, de layering, organising your gear so it is ready for tomorrow - all part of our new routine.
Can't wait to go again.
B. Much of the afternoon was rounded out with eating, drinking, talking and laughing reliving the highs of the morning. @Loraine and I threw in a visit to the laundry and some may have drawn some zzzs but we did, at last, manage to pop that welcome aboard bottle of champagne with cheese and bikkies as Captain Sasha steered us further south.
C. The debrief and recap went ahead and was brought ahead a little this arvo to accommodate the proposed crossing of the Antarctic Circle. The big news here - fill in your application for the Dr's approval and sign your waiver for tomorrow's Polar Plunge. Oh dear, signed, sealed, submitted. Let's see what happens.
D. The Entertainment Crew schedule an initiation party for the crossing. This gets everyone out on Deck 8 by the pool, to hail Neptune, take a head douse of water and ice and receive a red dot symbol on the nose as acknowledgement of initiation. Silly, I know. But fun in the moment. Theoretically this was followed by the countdown and then celebration as we completed the scheduled crossing just after 6. Well, we had the shenanigans... but weather delays meant crossing will happen around 2.30 am tomorrow morning. My inbuilt toilet clock ensures I will be up!
E.@Mac had sort of claimed this day to mark his birthday - first day on the water, crossing the circle ... He booked the "outdoor dining experience" for the group. You layer up in your thermals and parka, sit poolside wrapped in blankets under over head heaters in minus 4 temperatures and enjoy steaks from The Grill. Nice idea and the steaks (and seafood) were grand but @Richard took a vote on "let's do this again" at the end of the meal and had no trouble at all in counting "those in favour." I was so cold by the end of dinner I had to resort to a pisco sour (still potent.) As an aside, @Mac found they served Meyers Rum on board - it is the flavour of choice. Rounded out the evening thawing out to the AdeleTribute (the singer, not the penguins.)
If only we had the resolve to continue. Were surprised and touchd by the gesture of our butler , @Pristhe . We were greeted in the cabin by a table set up with birthday cake. And he had created a special edition of the Chronicle (our daily ship newsletter) that featured a photo of our group, a photo of "the boys" and a silhouette of a volleyballer. Everyone was over full and partied out - we couldn't get any takers. That's okay I'll wake them at 2:30 for the crossing.
Some days are diamond.
So good ... i am awake, should I call them?
Survival Barometer
Steps 8808 mainly up and down stairs to laundry
Weather -4 .. yep MINUS and someone (@Mac) thought it was a good idea to eat outside at The Grill!
Health - all on board ... definitely tired! We had everyone over for team drinks and i fell asleep!!
Can you believe this?
🧠An Amazing (and slightly unbelievable) Fact About the Discovery of the Antarctic Peninsular
The first person to officially sight the Antarctic Peninsula was a 19‑year‑old sailor — and he did it by accident while being blown wildly off course in a storm.
The wild part
- In 1820, Edward Bransfield, an Irish officer in the British Royal Navy, was charting the South Shetland Islands.
- A violent storm shoved his ship far south, into waters no one had mapped.
- When the clouds finally broke, his lookout — a teenager named Edward Poynter — spotted a massive, ice‑covered coastline rising out of the fog.
- That coastline was the Antarctic Peninsula, making them among the first humans in recorded history to lay eyes on the continent itself.
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