Good Evening—-

Overnight was smooth and easy and once again, we slept like babies.  We made great progress thru the Drake Passage and we arrived a day early to the South Shetland Islands.    As scary as we heard the Drake Passage was, it did not live up to the hype (though we do have the way back, so keep your fingers crossed).  It was definitely rough but I think we got lucky.  We went through the Antartica Convergence, which is where there is a drastic weather change – calmer seas but colder temp.  That part, definitely lived up to the hype.  

When we woke up, we had to attend a mandatory biosecurity check of all of our outer layer gear. We were called down to the Explorer lounge and they picked through the soles of our boots with vacuums and tweezers to make sure there were no bio hazards to be brought on to land.  Other outer layer gear such as trekking poles, hats, gloves and waterproof pants also went through the check as well.  

We then spent the rest of the morning waiting for our first landing.  Around 1:30p.m., many of us gathered up on the 9th floor to watch us cruising Deception Island. It is called Deception Island because its entry point into the middle of this area, is hidden.  It is located South of the Shetland Islands and it was a bonus stop because of our early arrival.  

Deception Island is a caldera of an active volcano.  A caldera, as I have learned, is a large circular hole in the ground that is created when a volcano’s magma chamber is emptied during an eruption.  

To get to Deception Island, we had to sail through its narrow passage way called Neptune’s Bellows.  The passage way was only 755 feet wide but we sailed on through in windy and cold weather.   Right in the middle of the area we had to sail through is Raven’s Rock.  It is a large rock sitting 8 feet under the water and right in the middle of the channel.  This adds to the treachery of the area.  We landed on Tefelon Bay, a shoreline on the island, to begin out first excursion. 

Antartica is the coldest, windiest place on earth.  It has no native people and millions of penguins.  It is one of the most inhospitable areas in the world  as the weather can chg very quickly. In fact, those who signed up for kayaking today were cancelled at the last minute, due to an unexpected change in the conditions.

Anyway, the passage into the channel went smooth and we anchored at 1:30 p.m.  

Each of us were split off into Zodiac Boat groups, a fancy expedition term for activity groups, for the entire cruise.  Before leaving the ship, we have to visit the mudroom.  Our boots are stored there and once on, we step into a cleaning solution and then off the ship and onto a Zodiac Boat.   Our Zodiac group had about 16 people on it and we went from the ship to land.  We had what is known as a wet landing.  We got off the boat into the water and then walked to land.  

When we arrived, we saw a small group of Gentoo and Chin Strap Penguins.  They are as cute as can be.   They were in pairs and frolicking on the beach.  We started our hike up and reached our first point.  There was a geologist there who gave us great information about the area including information on the last eruption of this active volcano that we were standing on.  We then hiked up further to the highest point and had our first view of the area.  It was stunning.  We stayed at the top for a while so we could take it all in and then started down a different route, full of snow and ice.  

When we got back to the beach, we saw a Weddell Seal.  He was hang out on the beach, trying to rest.  We got back on the Zodiac, just it time for a little snow and it took us back to the ship.  When we got there, we had to go back through the mudroom which had an automatic boot cleaning device.  Everyone had to go through it, clean their boots, poles and the bottom of the pant legs.  We then had to step in the disinfectant solution before putting away our boots.  

Once everyone returned, we had a briefing and recap for tomorrow, dinner with our new friend Lydia. Then movie trivia and we hung out with some other new friends and now about to turn in.  

Tomorrow’s landing is early and in the Antartic Sound.  The Sound is Antartica proper.  

Side note, Antartica is home to 138 volcanos, two which remain active, one of which we visited today.  

Cici from Sea signing off….