November 9, 2017
Hmmm, a week ago I was wearing 6 layers of clothing and trudging through the snow and ice in Antarctica. Today I find that the perfect dress code is a bathing suit. My luggage tag says IPC on it. Where could I be? 😎
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Easter Island sunset
The final evening on the island was spent with a picnic supper on the beach and a gorgeous sunset with the moai.
November 7, 2017
Cruising up the Beagle Channel and the Straight of Magellan towards Punta Arenas, Chile.
The bottom of the world.
We cruised into Punta Arenas, Chile, this morning and docked right next to two Antarctic Exploration ships being operated by the United States National Science Foundation. Now we fly to Santiago. Tomorrow we head off to another totally different adventure. Keep checking this page to see where we end up next.
Cape Horn Landing
The not so famous Antarctic explorer Bad Bob, studies the Cape Horn monument to early explorers with the Cape Horn lighthouse in the background.
Cape Horn!
This is early In the season and a very remote part of the earth. We have not seen another boat since leaving Uruguay almost two weeks ago. So here we are at Cape Horn ready to make the last zodiac landing of the trip and guess what? The National Geographic Society is already here. We cannot land until they are gone due to limitations of the number of people at the site at any one time. So, we are going to circle the island until they leave. Then we will make our landing in the Zodiacs to the island where the lighthouse and the monument to the earlier explorers are. This will be a very tricky landing. A water landing with very slippery rocks under the water. When we get back to the ship, my internet will be gone for a few days so keep checking from time to time. I will post pictures as soon as I can. Thanks for following along with me on this adventure.
November 5, 2017
As we cruise north towards Cape Horn, we are seeing fewer icebergs. As we enter the Drake Passage the weather and sea conditions are remarkably mild. I will lose my internet connection tomottow morning for a few days again so when my communications stop, just keep checking. My posts during that time will all post when i get connected. I hope you are enjoying travelling with me to all these exciting places.
Tip towing through the icebergs.
We've completed our objective in Antarctica and are now working our way through the icebergs and back to the rough waters of the Drake Passage. Upon successfully crossing the Passage our aim is to explore the Cape and some of the Argentinean and Chilean fjords before landing in Puntas Arenas.
The Antarctic continent.
The almost famous Antarctic explorer Bad Bob atop the ridge above Orne Harbor on the Antarctic continent.
November 3, 2017
Another day in Antarctica with a nice view of our ship. Visiting many interesting places. This stopping point has a lot of sea ice. We did some cruising with the Zodiacs but were limited by the ice. Port Lockroy, the British research station is nearby but has not been opened up yet this season due to the ice.
Another landing. This time on ice.
We have now made several types of landings. After leaving Uruguay and Argentina where we were on the pier, we made landings onto two small islands which required water landings. Then at Stanley in the Falkland Islands we had a pier to dock at again. In Antarctica, we first made a water landing and then today we made our landing directly onto a sheet of sea ice.
Tip towing through the icebergs.
We've completed our objective in Antarctica and are now working our way through the icebergs and back to the rough waters of the Drake Passage. Upon successfully crossing the Passage our aim is to explore the Cape and some of the Argentinean and Chilean fjords before landing in Puntas Arenas.
The Antarctic continent.
The almost famous Antarctic explorer Bad Bob atop the ridge above Orne Harbor on the Antarctic continent.
Oops!
This morning we carefully made our way to Point Damoy and we spent the day exploring the area and making a rare zodiac landing onto sea ice. When time to leave we found that ice had formed in the channel behind us and we could not leave the way we came. So currently we are trying to make it to our our next destination using another route.
Oops!
This morning we carefully made our way to Point Damoy and we spent the day exploring the area and making a rare zodiac landing onto sea ice. When time to leave we found that ice had formed in the channel behind us and we could not leave the way we came. So currently we are trying to make it to our our next destination using another route.
Nice day for a swim.
Temp = -4 celsius (24 fahrenheit).
Ok, ok, there have been better days but I just couldn't resist. It was, shall i say, quite recreshing.
Officially in Antarctica
We have crossed the line officially putting us in Antarctica. The plan is to land on Half Moon Island but being one of the first expeditions to arrive in Antarctica this season we will not be sure of the ability to land until we get there. Being early in the season we might be met with too much ice. We will see. Currently it is snowing where we are but it's nice and warm aboard the ship.
November 2, 2017
Our first landing in Antarctica. When we left the ship it was snowing lightly but as the day progressed, the weather got better. We explored parts of Half Moon Island and saw lots of birds and several variety of penguins including the chinstrap penguins. I finished the day by going for a swim before heading back to the ship. The swim was, to put it mildly, refreshing. 😨
November 1, 2017
Well, things are a little calmer this morning. The captain has informed us that the winds have reduced down to gale force now. He stated that we were six knots below hurricane force last night with 10 meter seas. The seas are still rough but this ship does a great job in all conditions. It's amazing how well one can sleep in these conditions. Just like being rocked to sleep. The only concern during the night was staying in bed. I suspect that is the reason the beds are all very low to the floor. So you don't get hurt when you are ejected from on top. Anyway, we are now officially in Antarctic waters. We plan on making our first Antarctic landing at Half Moon Island first thing tomorrow morning.
Happy Halloween!
Those wimpy 25 foot waves and 50 knot winds are a thing of the past. Now that we are fully entrenched in the Drake Passage, known for having the worst seas on the planet, things are really rocking and rolling. The seas have almost doubled. Thankfully this is an expedition ship designed for this and also for the ice conditions we will encounter in a day or two. This trip just here better and better every day.
October 31, 2017
Fun to try to walk around now on the boat. 25 foot seas and 50 knot wind. Learning some very unique dance steps. 😁
British Pub
Over 8,000 miles from England and having lunch in a British pub. This is our third and last day in the Falkland Islands and we thoroughly enjoyed the town of Stanley.. We are underway now for Antarctica. Two days at sea and four days in Antarctica coming up. Internet has been and will continue to be spotty so messages from this end of the earth most likely will be few and far between for awhile.
October 31, 2017
Fun times cruising toward the Drake Passage. Have seen 25 foot seas and wind at 50 knots. Two days of this before landing on Antarctica. Video taken from the eighth deck.
October 29, 2017
Carcass Island. This is one of the islands that make up the Falkland islands. Made our first water landing of the trip so far. Slide off the bow of the zodiac into the water then walk up to solid ground. I suspect there will be many more like it to come. More penguins, lots of birds. Before the expedition started, we were told to be prepared to walk miles on uneven, slippery ground covered with penguin poop. Well, they wern t kidding. Today was the day. We traversed about 3 miles in the above mentioned conditions. Beautiful island though. A fun but tiring day.
The Falkland islands!
Landed at New Island in the Falkland islands. This island is inhabited by thousands of penguins, fur seals, and birds. Only two humans live on the entire island.
October 27, 2017
Today is a day to reflect on where we've been so far during this adventure. From now on civilation is a thing of the past. We just got our muck boots issued to us for our shore landings starting tomorrow. So far the seas have been very kind to us. That should change when we get into the Drake Passage next week.
Beautiful day today.
Hope this weather and the sea conditions stay nice as long as possible. Looking back towards Argentina. We will arrive at the Falkland islands tomorrow.
Our ride for now.
Comfortable cruising to exotic places. Now in Puerto Madryn, Argentina. Next stop will be Falkland islands. Then the excitement starts. The Drake passage, cape Horn, and a few days on Antarctica. I'm glad the ship is certified for ice conditions.
Puerto Madryn, Argentina
Beautiful night to wander around in a beautiful town. Explored the town a little bit tonight but planning on exploring a lot more tomorrow.
PATAGONIA!
We finally made landfall at Puerto Madryn, Argentina. Now a day to explore the town. And hopefully get a wifi so I can get all these messages out. 😁
Whales!
If you have ever had to negotiate your car or motorcycle through a herd of cows or sheep on the road, you can imagine what we are going through right now. We are crawling as slow as possible to avoid injuring a whale. They are thick in this port! These are Southern Right Whales and are very slow moving. They can't get out of the way in time if we go any faster. It's taking hours to get across this area to arrive at Puerto Madryn.
Map of excursion
Here is the map of where we expect to travel. It all depends on the weather and sea conditions though. Passing through the Drake Passage and the Cape Horn area will be the most exciting as the seas can be treacherous in those areas. We will see.....
October 23, 2017
Finally met up with the Norwegian expedition ship that will take us brave soles into the worlds most treacherous waters. Here we learn how to put on our survival suits. Very stylish I would add. After heading out from Montevideo, Uruguay, we met the captain and the expedition team. Our first port of call will be Puerto Madryn, Argentina.
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