Elephant Island Yesterday we experienced the one day in a hundred when the weather in this part of the planet is perfect. Today we got to see more typical summer weather in Antarctica. Early morning was clear and bright, then clouds and fog rolled in. Later there was rain and snow and biting winds. Landmasses played peekaboo in the fog, … Read More
Antarctic Cruise — Day 8
Admiralty Bay This morning Deception Island was spectacular. This afternoon cruising through Admiralty Bay almost made that scenery look pallid in comparison. Imagine being able to look in any direction and see towering glaciers. Emerging from the ice (and it is hundreds of feet of dense ice you’re seeing in these photos, NOT snow) are pillars of volcanic stone. Bobbing … Read More
Antarctic Cruise – Day 7
Antarctica!! Deception Island We have made it to Antarctica. I woke up this morning at sunrise to see Snow Island glistening in the early sunshine. The ship is now circumnavigating Deception Island in the Shetland Islands. It could not be a more perfect day weather wise. It is clear, sunny, and calm. Though it is very cold. I spent three … Read More
Antarctic Cruise – Day 6
Going through the Drake Passage The Drake Passage is known for having some of the roughest waters on the planet. The explorers feared it and many ships succumbed to the ferocity of the sea. These days ships don’t break up or disappear, but it can still be a tough crossing, even on a large ship with stabilizers. Having become ill … Read More
Antarctic Cruise – Day 5
Ushuaia, Argentina Ushuaia refers to itself as “fin del mundo,” the end of the world. It is currently the southernmost city on the globe. It may be in a remote area, but today it was very busy with four cruise ships in port on route to Antarctica. Even in the height of summer, the city is surrounded by snow capped … Read More
Antarctic Cruise – Day 4
Punta Arenas, Chile Thank the stars, the sea calmed down early evening. The swells subsided, the patch kicked in and I began to feel better. I even got a good night’s sleep. In the morning we were in Punta Arenas in Chile. It’s famous for being a port where excursions to Antarctica depart from. It’s also a place I’ve been … Read More
Antarctic Cruise – Day 3
Puerto Madryn Argentina Without a call at Puerto Madryn, the ship would be at sea for two days. It is the northernmost edge of Argentinian Patagonia. We were the only ship in port, a good thing or we would have overwhelmed it. Nearly everyone took a shore excursion hoping to get their first glimpses of penguins and other Patagonian wildlife. … Read More
Antarctic Cruise – Day 2
First day in open seas Today we are heading from Montevideo Uruguay to Puerto Madrone Argentina. A full day at sea. I’ve spent a lot of time watching the ocean, which has been getting progressively rougher. A couple of times I’ve had to grab for a railing to maintain my balance. Also there are mysterious creaks and groans. There are … Read More
Antarctic Cruise — Day 1
Montevideo Uruguay The ship docked early this morning in Montevideo. We’d signed up for a tour of the city. I will confess the start of the tour didn’t convince me I’d ever want to return. The main square has a mash-up of many different architectural styles. I don’t think they’ve ever heard of a planning board. Compared to Buenos Aires … Read More
Buenos Aires – Day Two
After a leisurely breakfast Sue and I headed to La Boca, a neighborhood I remembered with great fondness from my previous trip to Argentina. Originally La Boca was an immigrant area. People used whatever they could find to build shelter. Given its proximity to the docks, the easiest material to get cheaply was used shipping containers. The corrugated steel was … Read More