Antarctic Cruise Diary : 16 December 2006

Antarctic Cruise Diary, December 2006

ANTARCTIC EXCURSION, PETERMAN ISLAND AND YALOUR ISLANDS

16 Dec 2006
Position: Lat: 65°.15’ S  Lon: 64°.05’ W
Air Temperature: -0.1 °C

Most of us woke ‘very early’ as the sun popped up around 2.30am in the Argentine Islands where we had been camping overnight. We’d had a wonderful night but it was time to get back to the warmth of the ship. A short zodiac ride did the trick and we unpacked our sleeping kit and headed for the coffee or the shower. The ship seemed eerily quiet around breakfast as many people decided to catch a few winks before they started the day.

Morning shore excursion to Peterman Island. Lazy excursion as found a rocky outcrop hanging over the ice and the water and just sat back and watched the Gentoo’s going about their business. One particularly active chap constantly stealing rocks from his neighbours’ nests to put on his own. Then walked up the hill a little further to see our first Adelie Penguin rookeries. And also the first Gentoo chicks of the trip, but the mother was very protective so only allowed the merest of glimpses.
Back onto the Zodiacs for another short cruise along the coast, but before we could even exit the small bay where we had landed a large Leopard Seal came to have a look at us. He played around underneath the boat for a minute or two before being distracted by some penguins in the water nearby, and heading off for a bit of lunch.
Afternoon spent cruising around the Yalour Islands in beautiful sunshine amongst the icebergs. Perfect photography weather allowing for some stunning seascape shots as well as icebergs against the blue sky, and the occasional Crabeater and Weddell Seal for a change of subject.
Upon returning from the cruising the team had set up a bar and nibbles on the front deck. It was unbelievable to be sitting out there in the sunshine looking out at the bergs and ice and sun reflecting in the still waters.

But the day wouldn’t end. Just as we sat down for dinner, the intrepid kayakers arrived back at the ship from their two days and over night expedition. Once we had them all on board with stories galore the Captain pointed the ship north for the famous Lemaire Channel. We were all out on deck with cameras whirring as we approached the 800m wide ‘Kodak Crack’ which separates Booth Island from the mainland.

Next:Cuverville Island And Neko Harbour