twangster

Finally my group was called. The kayakers had another outing today. Once around the corner we could see the Silversea redcoat highway snaking up the mountain.

I see redcoats! Live from Antarctica aboard the Silver Wind.

Today our expedition team will be offering a continental landing on Antarctica. First off was the first group of hikers. I'm in the second hiking group. Before my turn a zodiac cruise will take guests who chose not to hike for a brief landing as well. While I am waiting, this dashboard appeared on my phone. The waiting is killing me 🙂 .

The vessel slowed and it became apparent we have arrived. Orne Harbour. This should be the Southernmost point of travel on this voyage.

Continuing down the peninsula. The wind has picked up but it's a glorious day. So many whales. At one point I came back to my suite to warm up. A massive waterspout appeared right off my balcony. Then a whale came into sight and with a flick of its massive tail it slid below the surface. It was no more than thirty feet from me. Wow! A research or exploration vessel of some sort ahead of us.

Beautiful morning as we slowly make our way through the whale zones. You know you've seen a lot of whales when you can't be bothered to take any more pictures of them. The ice sculpture remains! The Atlas World Voyager.

Day 14 Chronicle: 1 JAN - Orne Harbour Antarctica.pdf

Day Fourteen, Orne Harbor, Antarctica New Years Day Position report: Balcony observation: Whales!

And that is how you ring in a new year in the Antarctic!

A few minutes before midnight we made our way outside to the pool deck. The Captain led our countdown. HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

I'm keeping this photo dark and slightly blurry to avoid displaying faces. Needless to say there was a party going on.

Shortly before midnight I ventured upstairs to the party going on in the Panorama Lounge. First a stop outside to see what it's like in the short overnight darkness this far South. Flat seas and minimal wind. Perfect.

New Years Eve aboard the Silver Wind. To give folks some extra time tonight the daily briefing was moved to 19:00. Time for a pre-briefing beverage with music by Tomás. In the briefing our expedition team leader Gert explained the challenges the ship faced at Brown Bluff. This position track shows all the maneuvering the bridge team had to do given the wind and ice. The goal for tomorrow is a hike at Orne Harbor, weather permitting. Zodiac tours will be offered for those not up for a hike that will include a brief shore landing. We will reposition the ship down the Antarctic Peninsula through a known whale hotspot. These areas are protected with strict speed restrictions so we will have a leisurely morning and an afternoon arrival planned for Orne Harbor. A New Year's Eve Gala dinner in The Restaurant followed at 18:15.

After bopping around the edge of the ice for a bit it was time to end our zodiac tour. A very enjoyable tour.

Penguins have a bit of a lemming quality. When one decides to jump in often many react and follow.

The Antarctic Marine Patrol were busting zodiac drivers who were going too fast near the penguins. Actually it was just ship crew operating a bar zodiac offering hot chocolate and mulled wine.

This curious Adélie popped in for a visit. I thought this was an Antarctic Shag but our zodiac driver and guide Damon called it an Antarctic Cormorant. Damon should know. He maintains a great website: https://www.ecosystem-guides.com/

Time for a zodiac tour! Base Esperanza. More Adélie penguins! These guys are so cute! A Weddell seal resting on the ice.

The sight of an Argentinian research station marked our arrival at Hope Bay. Around the corner the hills were covered with nesting penguins. The weather turned and it began to snow.

Despite the challenges from the wind driven ice everyone was back on board safely and we prepared to depart. Lunch as served as we moved up the sound to our next stop at Hope Bay. I arrived back at my suite after lunch just in time to see the ship passing through some brash ice.

Back on board from my suite I could see the source of the bridge and expedition's team stress. This large sheet of ice was coming right for us and it was just one of many.

I understand a later group made it to shore but they found themselves ice bound for a little while, or so the story goes as told by fellow travelers. Here a zodiac is being used for ice management. Just as we were to unload an urgent call over the radio informed the crew to close the side gate. Approaching ice required the ship to reposition and the platforms must be closed for this maneuver. A few minutes later and the side gates was once again available. A zodiac selfie from my 360 camera:

The wind was pushing the ice into the same area of the sound where we were and over the radio I could hear they abandoned the concept of a shore landing. The ice was too thick at the shoreline and it was all the ship could do to keep the side gates operational for loading and unloading zodiacs. The Adélie didn't mind the ice.

They wanted to get us on shore this morning but the wind was pushing the ice to the water's edge. Our zodiac driver Gabe did a great job negotiating us into place as close to the beach as he safely could. Not always graceful but there are young to feed! A Kelp Gull soars above the colony.

Like all good penguins the Adélie were on the move! In the hills you could see thousands.