If you want to know more about our Antarctic Expeditions and Cruises, you may enjoy reading this Antarctic Cruise Diary, a real account written by one of our staff researchers, of the cruise that they enjoyed in December 2006.
15 Dec 2006
Position: Lat: 65°.13’ S Lon: 64°.14’ W
Air Temperature: + 2.1 °C
An early rise to go up to the bridge following the announcement that our arrival in Antarctica was imminent. Land was in sight with a few small islands off both sides of the ship. Several small bits of ice floating in the ocean and heavy snow falling with the Peninsula getting ever closer. Another Humpback Whale sighting about ¾ mile ahead of the ship, followed its water spouts, but it didn’t come any closer to the ship. On entering French Channel we cruised closely alongside the Peninsula with 2 Minke Whales spotted ahead of us.
The kayakers were dropped off at the entrance to the Lemaire Channel for their overnight expedition, before we anchored nearby for the first shore landing of the trip on Pleneau Island.
Anticipation building as we donned our outdoor gear and climbed aboard the Zodiacs for the short trip to shore. We climbed the hill walking up passed several Gentoo Penguin rookeries with Skuas looking out for unwatched eggs. Stunning 360 degree views of the icy land and seascape.
Wandered back down the hill to find a quiet spot to watch the Gentoos coming in and out of the water, and making their way up the hill.
Back to the ship for lunch before moving on to Vernadsky Station for another trip to shore. The tour of the research station was conducted by one of the Ukrainian scientists. Vernadsky is an ex-British Research Station now run by the Ukraine to monitor meteorology, climatology, seismology, the environment and the atmosphere.
Following the tour we went for a Zodiac cruise around the Argentine Islands having a look at several Weddell Seals resting on the ice.
Before dinner we had our camping briefing and were instructed on how to set up for our overnight sleepover. For those of us who want to camp in Antarctica, this was our chance. The ice and snow near Vernadsky would be our sleeping area for the night, and we all took off after dinner for our evening on the ice. We set up in Bivvy sacs directly under the stars, or at least where the stars would have been if it wasn’t light all night! As we settled in for our night out, a lone Adelie Penguin came to check us out and stayed until we woke up in the morning. What an amazing day. It’s hard to believe it can get any better than this.