Day 8 - Blogabond

Today was a truly spectacular day. In the morning we made a second attempt at the Lenaire Channel. From a distance it appeared that the channel was blocked by ice flows, but as we approached a path could be seen. The channel was dramatic, as promised, but the bad weather (fog, clouds) probably lessened the impact.

Late in the morning we reached Petermann Island. On the island were a fair amount of gentoo penguins, a few Adelies, 3 fur seals and a little mountain. A climb to the top reveaaled a small plaque dedicated to the Pourquoi Pas, a ship that wintered over in 1909. The view of the bay was nice and you could slide down the side of the hill. After the island we took the zodiacs around the bay and saw some crabeater seals and some nice iceburgs.

We then returned through the Lenaire, which looked completely different. In addition to more definition, there were lots of seals on the ice flows.

We then went through the Neumeyer Channel, which was even more spectacular. The sun came out and the peaks were beautiful. We then crossed the Gerlache Strait and sailed into PARADISE! Actually, Paradise Harbour, our first (and only) stop actually on the continent.

The was really the most beautiful place. An old Argentinian station, burned down, sits at the foot of a small mountain.. Some of us climbed to the top and were rewarded with a spectacular (there's that word again) view, and a great slide down to the bottom (or at least half way -- Maggie, a scientist we picked up at Palmer, and I tried to make a second run to the bottom but the rocks got in the way). Our arrival on the continent was toasted with champagne, a great experience.

After the landing we took the zodiacs around and saw 1 elephant seal and some magnificent ice caves. Really a beautiful experience.

After dinner (generally a dud, but Cindy did receive a bottle of wine from the staff captain), Debra did a slide presentation on her year at the South Pole -- our best presentation yet. Even the couple from Philadelphia stayed awake -- she in his lap -- a big change from earlier in the trip when all they could do was fight.

Notes: Note getting to the Antarctic Circle because of ice; bird rookeries.

written by

shoshtrvls on March 7, 1992 from Antarctic Peninsula, Argentina

from the travel blog: Antarctica and South America (1992)

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