Into and onto the Antarctic

9 Jan 2012. Seas so calm during the night it was hard to tell if the boat was moving. Woke to a glorious day, not a breath of wind, sunny skies and the sea was like a millpond. Lots of magnificent icebergs everywhere. Into the Zodiacs about 9am and on to Paulet island. The island was full of Adelie Penguins, again by the thousands. Estimate is 200,000 breeding pairs.

We walked up a short distance to where there is the remains of a hut where 20 men survived for I think 5 months when their ship was crushed in the ice. Another story of extreme endurance and unbelievable hardship. Larssen was the captain but another long story.

We have learnt to just sit in one spot and watch the penguins entertain. It is a mass of non stop action with the chicks wanting food, the parents going to and from the sea to collect food. Others pairs still courting,some still on the nest. You can sit and be amused and entertained for hours at their antics.

Back on board for lunch and the most beautiful and peaceful 3 hours sailing down the Antarctic straight to Brown Bluff. The seas were like a millpond and there were so many icebergs, lots of penguins, birds and a couple of whales. It was so quiet that the crowd on the foredeck were dead silent as we just stood there and took it in.

But after a couple of hours the weather changed and by the time we arrived at Brown Bluff it was snowing heavily but we all put on our gear and went ashore. This was a special moment as it was our first landing on the Antarctic mainland at about 63deg south. For some it was their landing on the last of the 7 continents. It was 6 for us. Found the southern most Collingwood supporter in the world. Although it was snowing heavily and reasonably cold everyone had a great time and we had mainly Adelie penguins with a few Gentoos. This will be the last time we see the Adelie penguin. It was clear that everyone enjoyed the few hours we had on this stop. Back on board before taking off our gear in the mud room they met us with Kahlua and coffee.

Great dinner and again the staff recapped on the day in their usual fun way.

I just love cute chicks. Adelie Chicks.

The remains or the shelter where 20 men survided for 5 months. Tough and cold work.

Even a French Doctor who supports the pies

Just a few penguins in the distance.

More please and Dad just watches on.

Ice and penguins

Having a rest with the black and white army.

Just cute

Ger and adelies

Ger with her best friend, the barman, Andy. Not just coffee in the cup.

Start of the serious ice

About to get the gear off in the mud room.

Inspecting and discussing the merits of the ice we brought on board for scientific research with some other devotes of the science.

Some nice ice.