Antarctica, The Seventh Continent

 

Wednesday, November 8th, 2023

The Landing

Our first glimpse of Antarctica from our balcony on Wednesday morning was breathtaking.  We knew it was going to be a magical day.  We started out with a kayak paddle, exploring the coastline dotted with small groups of gentoo penguins, while Weddell



seals lounged on an ice flow. Large, clear chunks of ice bobbed around us, and we gathered a couple pieces for our afternoon cocktails. Our guide explained that the ice came from the bottom of glaciers and is thousands—maybe a million--years old.  The views of the steep, snow-covered mountains were incredible.  We eventually transferred from our kayaks to a Zodiac and were ferried to the land.

A view from our landing on Antarctica!

The expedition team selected a prime area for disembarkation which was lined with smooth, pale rocks that served as a perfect boat ramp.  Once on Antarctica proper we were greeted by a curious Adelie penguin--the only one encountered on our expedition.  Henry and I climbed to the top of a bluff to take in the stunning landscape.  Much to Henry’s chagrin (he says he “felt like a tourist’), we had our picture taken with a sign made by a crewmember, declaring our presence on “The Seventh Continent,” replete with smiling penguins.  On our hike back down, the same Adelie penguin entertained us by showing off its various transportation modes which included sliding down on its belly to reach the shore where a group of gentoo penguins seemed to offer a friendly welcome.


Adelie penguin putting on a show for us

After lunch we traveled to an area called Hughes Bay.  My fellow traveler, Henry Hughes, quipped that it was possibly named after an ancestor as they had a knack for choosing hostile real estate. It proved to be a cold, rough bay. Our Zodiac bounced over waves into a snowstorm and then through thick brash ice, which concerned us. We feared a potential puncture to the Zodiac or damage to the outboard’s prop and lower unit. But our guide feared nothing, plowing through and over large chunks of ice which banged loudly on the bottom and made grinding noises around the engine.  Henry and I looked at each other and shrugged.


Cruising through the thick brash ice in Hughes Bay

After a short while, a pair of humpback whales surfaced. The feeding whales remained around our boats for at least a half hour—giving us a great show of spouts, flukes, and spyhopping glimpses (with their large heads exposed)--before we made our way through the ice and snow back to the ship.

King among kings!

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