Antarctica 10: Half Moon Island Feb 2020
Not far from Deception Island is Half Moon Island of the South Shetland Islands. Half Moon has several cobble stone beaches and many igneous rock outcrops. Part of the island has been taken over by the Argentine Antarctic summer station Camara. There is a large colony of Chinstrap penguins here and we were told to … Continue reading Antarctica 10: Half Moon Island Feb 2020
Antarctica 9: Deception Island Feb 2020
After setting sail from Paradise Bay of the Antarctic Peninsula, we arrived bright and early at Whaler’s Bay of Deception Island, part of the South Shetland Islands. The horseshoe-shaped Deception Island has an active volcano and hot springs which is unusual in this cold and desolate part of the world. It is said that the … Continue reading Antarctica 9: Deception Island Feb 2020
Antarctica 8: Paradise Bay Feb 2020
Paradise Bay is lauded as one of the most beautiful locations on the Antarctic Peninsula. Everything that is Antarctica can be found here: steel-blue waters, giant glaciers, icebergs, gentoo penguins, crabeater seals, and whales. It is frequented by whalers since the 1920s who coined the name “Paradise Harbor” until commercial whaling was banned here in … Continue reading Antarctica 8: Paradise Bay Feb 2020
Antarctica 7: Port Charcot of Booth Island Feb 2020
After crossing the mesmerizing Lemaire Channel, it was time for our landing at Port Charcot in the northwestern part of Booth Island. Jean-Baptiste Charcot and 18 team members wintered here in 1904 with his ship, Franais, anchored in this bay. He built several structures for both science and accommodation on shore, as well as the … Continue reading Antarctica 7: Port Charcot of Booth Island Feb 2020
Antarctica 6: Lemaire Channel Feb 2020
Lemaire Channel is the most famous channel off the Antarctic Peninsula where all cruise ships come. It runs for 11 km and is 1.6 km wide between the mountains of Booth Island and the Antarctic Peninsula. The interesting thing is that this channel is only visible when you are almost inside it. It was discovered … Continue reading Antarctica 6: Lemaire Channel Feb 2020
Antarctica 5: Neko Harbor Feb 2020
Neko Harbor is a small bay in the larger inlet of Andvord Bay on the western coast of the Antarctic Peninsula. The harbor is surrounded by giant glaciers that are heavily crevassed and regularly calve. There is a large colony of Gentoo penguins here with many fluffy chicks. Not only are the chicks great fun … Continue reading Antarctica 5: Neko Harbor Feb 2020
Antarctica 4: Penguins on Floating Iceberg Feb 2020
As we left Brown Bluff and crossed the Antarctic Sound to head back towards the western coast of the Antarctic Peninsula, we came across a giant floating iceberg with hundreds of penguins on it. We were actually all seated in the dining room having our dinners when we saw this giant iceberg with a large … Continue reading Antarctica 4: Penguins on Floating Iceberg Feb 2020
Antarctica 3: Zodiac ride in Antarctic Sound Feb 2020
After a quick power nap, I had to layer up again for the zodiac cruise around the waters of Brown Bluff in the Antarctic Sound. More than 90% of Antarctica is covered by ice with an average altitude of over 2,000 meters. Antarctica is a super windy place and these winds affect the climate of … Continue reading Antarctica 3: Zodiac ride in Antarctic Sound Feb 2020
Antarctica 2: Brown Bluff Island Feb 2020
Upon boarding the Magellan Explorer off King George Island, we were told that due to favorable weather conditions, we will be setting sail through the Antarctic Sound to Brown Bluff Island located near the northern coast of the Weddell Sea. Most Antarctica cruises navigate between the South Shetland Islands and the western coast of the … Continue reading Antarctica 2: Brown Bluff Island Feb 2020
Antarctica 1: Antarctica 21 Air Cruise Feb 2020
This is my 4th visit to Chile and the main reason for coming here is to do the Air-Cruise to Antarctica. Most Antarctica cruises leave from Ushuaia in Argentina and involve crossing the rough seas of the Drake Passage which takes 2 days before arriving in Antarctica. As I am prone to sea-sickness, I was … Continue reading Antarctica 1: Antarctica 21 Air Cruise Feb 2020
