Day 11 - 17/Jan/24 - Antarctica - Day 1

 Scenic cruising began an hour earlier than we expected at 7am with the bow being open and scenic cruising narrative being played on the outside decks and in the staterooms on the bow camera channel.  So we dragged ourselves out of bed, dressed warmly, and headed out for the day armed with cameras, batteries, and expectant attitudes.  We were soon at a very desolate Palmer Station where I spotted a few penguins on an ice flow.  




There was no commentary being broadcast into the Crow's Nest and it was bitterly cold to just hang out on the outside decks just to hear it.  I mentioned the lack of commentary to Adrian, one of the Expedition Team members.  Not long after that, commentary began in the Crow's Nest which we appreciated.  


After hoovering there for a bit we made our way over to just off to Doumer Island which has the Chilean Station Yelcho.  On this island is a large penguin colony and there is a trail from the ocean up the snowy hill.  The trail is well worn and marked with lots of penguin poop.  We hoovered off this colony for hours and watched the penguins climb the hill, watched some slide down the hill and still others re-enter the ocean.  It was really fun to watch.  While we were there, there were a number of humpback whales and I got some really good photos of them.  








Eventually we slowly motored into the channel and towards the British Station at Port Lockroy.  When we reached there, there was an Expedition ship there along with a 3 masted vintage sailing ship.  Port Lockroy is also a museum, the southern most post office in the world, and a research station manned by volunteers. The station is also home to a penguin colony, but we were a bit far away to get close-up pictures.  







Then suddenly a wind came up and at 4:30pm, Captain Kevin announced over the PA system that we would need to stop scenic cruising with 45 knot winds.   What was interesting was that the Expedition ship had a fleet of zodiacs out in the windy & unprotected weather.  I'm not sure I would want to be in a zodiac in these type of gales.  He indicated that we would head for open ocean where we could drift overnight and be free of the growlers (large chunks of ice that could bump up against the hull).  Then at 6pm he came back on the PA system and announced that the winds had increased to 65mph and that the outside decks were closed.  All the while the ship remained totally stable.

After dinner the evening entertainment was a new singing group, Company Men, who mashed classic songs with modern tunes.  It was a bit loud and not exactly our taste in music, but it played to a full house.  Afterwards, we returned to listen to Adam play all request songs in three sets in the Billboard Onboard.  He continues to be excellent and has great backstories and good combinations and flow of the requested songs.  


Tomorrow is more scenic cruising and it will start early. 

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