We have begun our journey to Antarctica. We set across the Drake Passage last night, leaving from our starting port of Ushuaia, Argentina. The Drake has been quiet for us, an unusual state for this waterway known and feared by even the most experienced sailors. Perhaps it is a sign of things to come, of a journey that we will remember for smooth waters and a welcome to an inhospitable land. We shall find out.
11/18/2024
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National Geographic Resolution
Kinnes Cove, Antarctic Peninsula
After an adventurous night of attempting to make it through lots of sea ice and into the Weddell Sea, we ended up turning back and spending our morning exploring an area a little further north. This turned out to provide stunning scenery and wildlife encounters as the morning unfolded. After breakfast, we deployed the Zodiacs and cruised around Kinnes Cove, enjoying excellent views of a resting leopard seal, crab eater seals, and gentoo and Adelie penguins swimming and walking across the fast ice. Antarctic shags were active in the cove, as the whole flock dove over and over, feeding on something underwater. Snow petrels were flying about, and two emperor penguins showed up and played in the water around the Zodiacs. We were all delighted with this perfect farewell to our incredible voyage to Antarctica. As we set sail northward to cross the Drake Passage again, we enjoyed a special Filipino buffet dinner, followed by a festive evening of entertainment from the renowned crew of National Geographic Resolution .
