The original schedule called for another full day in the Drake Passage, and arrival in the South Shetland Islands on Saturday morning. However, the Drake Passage was so calm that we actually arrived at the South Shetland Islands on Friday afternoon, so we got a "bonus" shore expedition. In the daily program below, we were divided into 4 groups for the shore excursion, with all the groups named after types of seals. We were in the Leopard group.
 |
| Today's Program |
The South Shetland Islands are just off the Antarctic Peninsula and are considered to be part of Antarctica.
 |
| Our first iceberg! |
 |
| Antarctica! |
 |
| A humpback whale |
 |
| I believe these are Cape Petrels |
On our way through the South Shetland Islands, we had our first (of many, many) penguin sightings--a colony of chinstrap penguins on an iceberg.
 |
| Our first penguin sighting |
 |
| A closer view of the penguins. The stains are mostly penguin guano. |
 |
| Chinstrap penguins diving for food. |
As we got closer to Half Moon Island (our afternoon expedition stop), we started to see glaciers and heavy ice cover.
 |
| Some glacier coverage |
 |
| Ice |
 |
| Outdoor dining on the ship |
At about 2:30 we began our first shore expedition, at Half Moon Island. This involved getting into 10-passenger rubber Zodiac boats and being driven about a mile to shore. The seas were calm, so getting in and out of the Zodiacs wasn't a problem. When we arrived near the shore, we got out of the Zodiacs into about 2 feet of water. We all had waterproof pants and boots, so this wasn't a problem. The air temperature was in the low 40's (Fahrenheit), so things were very tolerable. In fact, most of us were overdressed for the expedition.
 |
| Ready to go ashore! |
 |
| In our Zodiac, headed for shore |
In the picture below, Chelli (pronounced "Shelly") Larsen, our cruise director is welcoming us to Half Moon Island. I can't say enough about the job she did on the cruise. If you ever get the chance to do a polar cruise with her, do it!
 |
| On shore in Antarctica! I've been on all 7 continents! |
We were told not to get closer than 5 feet to the penguins, but the penguins could come as close to us as they wanted. They have no fear of humans.
 |
| First penguin closeup |
 |
| Intrepid travelers on shore. About 45 degrees Fahrenheit |
 |
| Second penguin closeup. All penguins on this island were chinstraps. |
There were penguins all over the island. What you can't sense from the pictures is the overwhelming stench of penguin guano.
 |
| Part of the penguin colony |
 |
| Our first penguin chick |
 |
| More penguin chicks |
 |
| Contemplating the enormity of it all |
 |
| March of the Penguins |
 |
| Another penguin closeup |
 |
| A lot of penguins got around by sliding on their belly. |
 |
| Intrepid explorers warily eyed by locals |
 |
| "So, I tells the guy...." |
 |
| This is not a penguin--possibly a kelp gull? |
 |
| That's a lot of ice |
 |
| An elephant seal among the penguins |
 |
| Yes, he's alive |
 |
| On the Zodiac, headed back to the ship |
 |
| An Argentinian station on the island |
 |
| Panoramic shot from the back of the ship |
 |
| A Zodiac headed back to the ship |
When we got back to the ship, it was time for the Captain's Reception. Apparently they felt it was better to wait until after the ship had navigated the Drake Passage before getting the captain drunk.
 |
| A toast from the (Ukranian) captain |
 |
| Celebrating our presence in Antarctica |
 |
| Taking the celebration outside. Yes, it was that warm. |
 |
| So, this is Antarctica in the evening! |
 |
| Yes, there was a hot tub on the boat! |
 |
| Our expedition crew (guides and Zodiac drivers). A wonderful crew. |
 |
| I wish I could say that I took this picture, but I didn't. |
After dinner, it was out on deck for some more picture taking.
 |
| The champagne probably helped |
 |
| This one was taken by another passenger |
 |
| This one too |
Next:
Hannah Point and Whaler's Bay
