11-24-16 Arakur Resort Ushuaia Argentina
Happy Thanksgiving !
Uneventful flight to Ushuaia on Tues. we landed around4:00 PM. Much to our surprise and delight, as we were driving to our hotel in a taxi, Jim and Danette (J and D) were standing by the side of the road with a sign welcoming us to Ushuaia ! Our taxi driver thought we were crazy when we were telling him to pull over to see our friends in our best Spanish. We checked in to the hotel which is beautiful hotel set high on a mountain side with our room overlooking all of Ushuaia and the harbor. We had a quiet night. Yesterday we took the shuttle to town, then got a taxi, picked up J and D, then headed out to the national park. We took a train into the park then got off and hiked down to a lake with postcard worthy scenery everywhere. On the way in to park we stopped for fifteen minutes at a scenic area. I noticed a horse in the river, that was tied to a tree on the bank. No one seemed to worried by it, but I felt something was wrong and felt like horse looked at me straight in the eye asking for help. I convinced the train staff to check on the horse. On the return trip, the guy I spoke told me they found the owner of the horse. The horse was in fact trapped in the river and would have died because the water temp was only 2 Celsius. The owner was able to free the horse and get him safely back on to land. So, yesterday I saved a horse's life and I feel good about it ! We took a bus back in to town today and visited a great museum, then spent afternoon exploring town. Our last stop was to pick up adult beverages for the boat. We may have overdone it a bit as we could not carry it all and had to take a taxi back to the hotel. We met J and D at 5:30 PM for bevvies, then had our thanksgiving dinner at the hotel restaurant. No mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, squash, turkey or cranberry sauce to be found, so we settled for Argentinian beef fillet. Tomorrow everyone has to check out by 10:00 AM, but we do not board the bus till 3:30 PM . We were able to finagle one room for the four of us to stay in till 3:00 PM with the promise of not telling anyone else, so you didn't hear from me ! Plans for tomorrow are to lounge in the spa/pools all day. Can not believe, one more sleep till our Antarctica adventure begins woo hoo !!!!
Friday 11-25-15 On Sea Spirit cruising down the Beagle Channel toward Drakes Passage
Up until 3:00 PM we had a very relaxing day which consisted a day at the spa where we jumped from hot tub to hot tub, swam outside in a heated infinity pool, swam in the lap pool, and took several saunas. At 3:45 PM we loaded in the bus for the transfer to our boat. Once on board they gathered us in the large meeting room, and we had an introductory meeting. They then registered yo in small groups, and we did get to our room till about 5:30. At 6:00 PM we set sail, followed with emergency drill practice 6:30 PM. Dinner waste 7:15 PM, then we had to pick up our boots, parkas and life hackers for the zodiacs. It was then 9:00 PM so we spent some time walking around, and got into bed about ten minutes ago at10:15 PM. At the advice of the expedition director, we have decided to forgo the seasick patch, and just take sea sick pills till we get through Drakes passage which is known as either the Drake shake, or Drake Lake. Still iffy on what way passage will go for us but we enter it after midnight tonight. The seasickness pills make you drowsy so hopefully we will sleep soundly and awake to Drake Lake !!
Up until 3:00 PM we had a very relaxing day which consisted a day at the spa where we jumped from hot tub to hot tub, swam outside in a heated infinity pool, swam in the lap pool, and took several saunas. At 3:45 PM we loaded in the bus for the transfer to our boat. Once on board they gathered us in the large meeting room, and we had an introductory meeting. They then registered yo in small groups, and we did get to our room till about 5:30. At 6:00 PM we set sail, followed with emergency drill practice 6:30 PM. Dinner waste 7:15 PM, then we had to pick up our boots, parkas and life hackers for the zodiacs. It was then 9:00 PM so we spent some time walking around, and got into bed about ten minutes ago at10:15 PM. At the advice of the expedition director, we have decided to forgo the seasick patch, and just take sea sick pills till we get through Drakes passage which is known as either the Drake shake, or Drake Lake. Still iffy on what way passage will go for us but we enter it after midnight tonight. The seasickness pills make you drowsy so hopefully we will sleep soundly and awake to Drake Lake !!
Saturday 11-26-16. Sea Spirit
It isn't a rough passage but about 80 % of the passengers are sea sick today. It was a light sleep because we were really rocking and rolling. Jon lasted till after breakfast, but then sucombed. We did not know how we spend a whole day at sea, but no worries, we were really busy. Our first lecture was at 9 which was an intro. to Antarctica. At 11 was a lecture on birds. Lunch waste 12:30 PM. We rested a bit then had a photography lecture 2:00 PM. At 3:45 PM we had to vacuum anything we will be bringing on land. 4:00 PM was tea. Cocktails were at 6:00, dinner7:30 , then back to our room around9:00 PM.
It isn't a rough passage but about 80 % of the passengers are sea sick today. It was a light sleep because we were really rocking and rolling. Jon lasted till after breakfast, but then sucombed. We did not know how we spend a whole day at sea, but no worries, we were really busy. Our first lecture was at 9 which was an intro. to Antarctica. At 11 was a lecture on birds. Lunch waste 12:30 PM. We rested a bit then had a photography lecture 2:00 PM. At 3:45 PM we had to vacuum anything we will be bringing on land. 4:00 PM was tea. Cocktails were at 6:00, dinner7:30 , then back to our room around9:00 PM.
Sunday 11-27-16
Great sleep last night. Had breakfast, the first lecture at 9 on ice and glaciers. At 11:00 AM we had a lecture on penguins. Next lunch at 12:30 PM. We then had a meeting at 1:45 PM where we discussed all the details about our camping overnight, and picked up our gear. We were told we had the option of either tents or open air camping, but once on board we were told no tents. They do not know the exact night we will be camping yet, so we have to be ready. About 4:00 PM we made our first landing at half moon bay. We saw four types of penguins, the tenth, the chin strap, the macaroni, and the Emporer. We were told that Emporer sightings were very rare, and that many of the staff had never even seen one. We went by dinghy to see the Emporer, the others were in tha area we hiked in. The paths are carefully marked by the staff, and you have to watch your distance between you and the Penguins, and you have to be careful not to walk on the penguin highway which is the path made by the Penguins, that they use. We got back to the ship around7:00 PM. Dinner was 8:00 PM. We had a review meeting to outline tomorrow's activities 9:30 PM. We just got to bed at 10:00 PM. Tomorrow for our first trip out, we leave at 8:00 AM so, good night !
Great sleep last night. Had breakfast, the first lecture at 9 on ice and glaciers. At 11:00 AM we had a lecture on penguins. Next lunch at 12:30 PM. We then had a meeting at 1:45 PM where we discussed all the details about our camping overnight, and picked up our gear. We were told we had the option of either tents or open air camping, but once on board we were told no tents. They do not know the exact night we will be camping yet, so we have to be ready. About 4:00 PM we made our first landing at half moon bay. We saw four types of penguins, the tenth, the chin strap, the macaroni, and the Emporer. We were told that Emporer sightings were very rare, and that many of the staff had never even seen one. We went by dinghy to see the Emporer, the others were in tha area we hiked in. The paths are carefully marked by the staff, and you have to watch your distance between you and the Penguins, and you have to be careful not to walk on the penguin highway which is the path made by the Penguins, that they use. We got back to the ship around7:00 PM. Dinner was 8:00 PM. We had a review meeting to outline tomorrow's activities 9:30 PM. We just got to bed at 10:00 PM. Tomorrow for our first trip out, we leave at 8:00 AM so, good night !
Monday, 11-28-16
Up and out at about 8:30 AM for our first expedition. It took the staff awhile to find a landing point because of all of the snow. We are the first trip of the season, so we're were told there still is allot of ice and snow in area. We also are having gray skies with periods of snow. The gray skies are considered optimal light from a photography stand point. It also allows all of the colors including the brilliant blues to show through in the glaciers and ice burgs. When we get ready for landings, the staff go first and walk out paths for us to follow. You have to stay pretty tightly on the path or you can find yourself falling into snow waist high. Our landing yesterday at Mikkelson Harbor included lots of Gentoo penguins, and widely seals with cat like faces. We stayed out for a couple of hours, returned, had lunch. In the afternoon we had a spectacular two zodiac tour through Cierra Baybay with icebergs and glaciers so magnificent it took your breath away. The whole experience actually was quite surreal. We tasted some ice. The ice forces the salt out when forming so the outside is a bit salty from the water, but inside is fresh. The spectrum of blues went from clear Caribbean turquoise blue to a deep almost violet blue. We could have stayed out all day, but alas had to get back for the 5:30 PM polar plunge. Danette and I were first and second of about a group of thirty people who chose to go. We put robes on over our swimsuits, and they brought us out to the marina loading area. You then walked to the edge of a zodiac and took the plunge with a life line around your waist. To say it was exhilarating would be an understatement. After hot showers, we had cocktails, then met for our daily briefing, followed by dinner at about7:30 PM. At the end of dinner they announced two hump back whales were in front of the ship so the ding room cleared out as we all watched the frolicking whales with a light snowfall coming down, quite magical. Tomorrow .we are scheduled for a 6:30 AM wake up and early land expedition. If the possible weather wise, we hope to make our first landing on the continent in the afternoon, then an early dinner for campers. We then head out about8:30 PM for the much anticipated/dreaded overnight camping trip. I think the camping trip is much like the polar plunge, you don't really want to do it, but you wouldn't miss is it for the world !
Monday, 11-28-16
Up and out at about 8:30 AM for our first expedition. It took the staff awhile to find a landing point because of all of the snow. We are the first trip of the season, so we're were told there still is allot of ice and snow in area. We also are having gray skies with periods of snow. The gray skies are considered optimal light from a photography stand point. It also allows all of the colors including the brilliant blues to show through in the glaciers and ice burgs. When we get ready for landings, the staff go first and walk out paths for us to follow. You have to stay pretty tightly on the path or you can find yourself falling into snow waist high. Our landing yesterday at Mikkelson Harbor included lots of Gentoo penguins, and widely seals with cat like faces. We stayed out for a couple of hours, returned, had lunch. In the afternoon we had a spectacular two zodiac tour through Cierra Baybay with icebergs and glaciers so magnificent it took your breath away. The whole experience actually was quite surreal. We tasted some ice. The ice forces the salt out when forming so the outside is a bit salty from the water, but inside is fresh. The spectrum of blues went from clear Caribbean turquoise blue to a deep almost violet blue. We could have stayed out all day, but alas had to get back for the 5:30 PM polar plunge. Danette and I were first and second of about a group of thirty people who chose to go. We put robes on over our swimsuits, and they brought us out to the marina loading area. You then walked to the edge of a zodiac and took the plunge with a life line around your waist. To say it was exhilarating would be an understatement. After hot showers, we had cocktails, then met for our daily briefing, followed by dinner at about7:30 PM. At the end of dinner they announced two hump back whales were in front of the ship so the ding room cleared out as we all watched the frolicking whales with a light snowfall coming down, quite magical. Tomorrow .we are scheduled for a 6:30 AM wake up and early land expedition. If the possible weather wise, we hope to make our first landing on the continent in the afternoon, then an early dinner for campers. We then head out about8:30 PM for the much anticipated/dreaded overnight camping trip. I think the camping trip is much like the polar plunge, you don't really want to do it, but you wouldn't miss is it for the world !
Tuesday 11-29-16
6:30 AM wake up followed by lots of waiting. The weather turned and was really cold and windy today. The staff went out to try to establish a landing at Cordville Island but the area was too socked in with ice. Late morning we moved on to One Harbor where we made our official landing on the Antarctic continent and we now can officially claim we have been to all seven continents WOO HOO! We ate lunch then had a camping meeting at about 1:30 PM when they called off the camping for tonight due to the weather. At 4:00 PM we had a fabulous lecture on Shackleton. The staff then went out to try to secure another landing but it was blowing about 25 knots and snowing, so that landing was cancelled. We had our daily briefing where we were told that the whole itinerary is changing. We will no longer head any further south because there is still too much ice. Instead we are going to head north toward the Shetland Islands with a stop tomorrow with 2 separate landings on Deception Island which is an active volcano. Unfortunately, we were also tole will have to travel every night so the camping trip was cancelled. I made the suggestion that we be allowed to sleep out on the deck, and they are offering this as an option........ We have a 5:45 AM wake up tomorrow, so good night !
6:30 AM wake up followed by lots of waiting. The weather turned and was really cold and windy today. The staff went out to try to establish a landing at Cordville Island but the area was too socked in with ice. Late morning we moved on to One Harbor where we made our official landing on the Antarctic continent and we now can officially claim we have been to all seven continents WOO HOO! We ate lunch then had a camping meeting at about 1:30 PM when they called off the camping for tonight due to the weather. At 4:00 PM we had a fabulous lecture on Shackleton. The staff then went out to try to secure another landing but it was blowing about 25 knots and snowing, so that landing was cancelled. We had our daily briefing where we were told that the whole itinerary is changing. We will no longer head any further south because there is still too much ice. Instead we are going to head north toward the Shetland Islands with a stop tomorrow with 2 separate landings on Deception Island which is an active volcano. Unfortunately, we were also tole will have to travel every night so the camping trip was cancelled. I made the suggestion that we be allowed to sleep out on the deck, and they are offering this as an option........ We have a 5:45 AM wake up tomorrow, so good night !
