Wilhelmina Bay & Port Lockroy, 12/4/2018, National Geographic Explorer
Aboard the
National Geographic Explorer
Antarctica
We searched this morning
for a suitable spot where we could drive the ship, bow first, into fast ice and
park for a little while. We found a good spot in Wilhelmina Bay. The weather
was truly Antarctic, with frequent wind and snow showers that made for a
beautiful morning on the ice.
After lunch, we headed
to Port Lockroy for a much-anticipated visit to Base A’s museum, gift shop, and
post office. We tucked into a small bay during dinner to take in the sight of
beautiful glaciers and nice, calm waters. The undersea team was able to take out
a boat and dive in the late evening light.
Amy was raised near Cape Cod in coastal Marion, Massachusetts, and her relationship with the ocean and nature has always been an active one. Her parents, avid divers and marine biologists, introduced her to the underwater world when she was very youn...
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Traveling south aboard National Geographic Endurance , we ride the steady rhythm of the following seas toward Antarctica. Albatrosses, prions, and petrels accompany us, their effortless flight a constant presence above the waves. These seabirds, perfectly adapted to the harsh conditions, escort the ship through one of the most remote regions on earth. In the galley, preparations continue as usual, with the occasional clatter of a spatula against a pan punctuating the ship’s daily routines. This small sound offers a sense of normalcy amidst the vast and untamed Southern Ocean. Outside, the air sharpens, and the sea begins to hint at the icy landscapes ahead. As the ship presses on, the anticipation grows. The seabirds continue to follow, a living connection to the wilderness around us. Soon, icebergs will break the horizon, and the familiar blue of the ocean will give way to the stark whites of Antarctica. Each mile south reinforces the sense of entering a world where survival is a delicate balance, and every element of life must adapt to extremes. The journey promises discovery and an encounter with one of the planet’s last frontiers.
Our day at sea began with the awe-inspiring sight of Antarctica’s vast, icy landscapes. As we awoke, we found ourselves surrounded by towering mountains and glaciers, with Mikkelsen Harbor on the horizon. This small island, just south of Trinity Island, offered an unforgettable landing. We ventured ashore, walking among playful gentoo penguins and encountering four Weddell seals, including an adorable nursing pup. While some soaked in the sights, our undersea specialist, Emmet, captivated us with a fascinating lecture on the Southern Ocean’s currents. After returning aboard, we savored a delicious lunch as we cruised icy waters toward our afternoon destination, the rugged Spert Island. Zodiacs took us on a thrilling exploration of the island’s dramatic coastline where towering cliffs, steep rock faces, and natural rock arches formed a surreal backdrop, all framed by gigantic icebergs in every shape and size. As the day drew to a close, we gathered for our evening recap and briefing, reflecting on the day’s highlights and eagerly anticipating tomorrow’s adventures. It was yet another unforgettable day in the heart of Antarctica, where nature’s raw beauty never fails to amaze.
It’s a foggy morning with fairly calm seas. Antarctica waits for us, shrouded, mysterious, and might I say magical! We enter English Strait, a narrow passage that bisects the South Shetland Islands. Shortly we can see land, Barrientos Island, our proposed landing site after breakfast. There are penguins here and so much more to come. This is just the beginning of the adventure.