We arrived in Cierrva Cove early this morning after a very rough night.  I’d say the swells were quite high and the rockiness was around an 7 out of 10.  By the time we arrived this morning, things were better but not ideal.  The original plan was to take the Zodiac boats out for a cruise around the cove.  The expedition team went out when we arrived to scope out the situation and found the conditions to be inclement.  The waves were too high in the Southern Ocean, the winds were up at 40 knots and it was snowing.  

Our group went up to breakfast and found the scene to be awesome.  The restaurant had a full wall of windows and we could see a ton of whales outside.  Everyone made their way to the windows and breakfast was spent with our cameras, photographing whales, penguins and birds.  Afterwards, we went upstairs to the panoramic lounge and stood outside the back of the ship on whale watch.  This was not a disappointment. If there was one, there were 30 whales and we were able to get some great pictures.

As the morning wore on, and we changed our position in the cove, the weather conditions calmed down and we were able to get out on the Zodiacs.  Getting on the Zodiac was tough with the swells but we were able to cruise around Cierrva Cove and get up close and personal with not only the humpbacks but also with swimming penguins, the glaciers and the icebergs.    As we cruised, there were quite a few large pieces of ice that have came from the glaciers.

Some of the ice they call black ice and not the kind you slip and fall on.   This is a large ish piece of ice, floating in the Southern Ocean and it had been there for up to thousands of years.  It is highly compressed glacial ice that looks clear.  There is almost no air in this type of ice.  There is a picture I will post with one of Marti holding this piece of black ice that we plucked out of the Ocean.  It was very heavy and mostly clear (Of course we put it back).  

We made out way back to the ship but not before getting drenched on our way.  The waves were high and the Zodiac was cruising pretty good.  By the time we arrived, everyone was soaked.  There is a ritual we must follow each and every time we arrive somewhere.  We get all our gear on in the room and then make our way down to the mudroom where we store our boots.  On days we go on to land, we have to walk through the solution with our boots to be sure we are not bringing any hazards onto land.  When we return, we have to go through a boot scrubber and then the solution.   

We cruised out of the cove and over to Mikkelson Harbor. We had a wet landing which means that we took our Zodiac from the ship to the shore but had to get out in the water.  Thank god for good, high, waterproof boots.    Our guide Chika took us to a whale grave yard full of bones and there, resting, was an elephant seal.  

Elephant seals are very large ocean seals with no ears.  They are dangerous if bothered and use to be extinct.  Somehow they made a comeback and one greeted us today.  He was resting at the whale graveyard which surrounded by very active Gentoo Penguins.  We hiked up this snow covered hill and when we reached the top, we saw a Chilean land marker from a Chilean research team, trying to claim the area.   Before their arrival to this harbor though, an Argentinian team claimed it and was able to conduct various research in the area.  There was even an old refuge hut still visible.  Penguins have over taken the hut but it use to be used to give explorers some protection from the elements. 

We walked among the Gentoos and took beautiful pictures and videos. We saw two more seals resting in the water among the penguins.   We finished our hike and made it back to the beach and returned to the ship.  There was bingo which is always fun but we were demolished by 3 kids, under 10.   We had our daily briefing and recap meeting which usually lasts about an hour and then dinner over looking the Southern Ocean. 

We were lucky enough to meet a group of people, some are solo travelers and some are in pairs.  After dinner, we have been participating in whatever evening game they ship provides and then staying after for a fun game of cards.  It’s been great getting to know people from all over the world.

Tomorrow comes early.  

Cici at sea signing off…..