Antarctica.

[drron]

And some of the rubbish/artefacts left by the Mawson party-

Though some didn't appear to mind-

 

[drron]

The penguins all in a line-

Just like the returning walkers-

Then leaving the continent-

But a penguin dive captured-

 

[drron]

So now to Mrsdrron's pictures of the ice and coastline as we cruised-

 

[drron]

Next-a really big iceberg

 

[drron]

After breakfast the bad news-it had taken us 12 hours to get through the pack ice out of Commonwealth Bay and now there was 30-40Nms of pack ice between us and Cape Jules-so no more landings.Instead we head east to see B9B.Currently the second largest iceberg in the world at 100km long.currently grounded to the east of Cape Denison.On the way we pass numerous icebergs of all shapes and sizes.
Lunch comes before our arrival and we are honoured by the presence of RB and GL.
naturally after lunch it is time for a nanny nap but awakened by a knock on the door and a sparkling pinot noir/chardy by Bunnamagoo of Mudgee is delivered-owned by Paspaley pearls who have a tie up with Orion.At B9B we all gather on the foredeck for a group photo.So now for some more pictures.

This is the iceberg,not the coast.

And this time i remembered my AFF tag.

 

[drron]

And some of the puny icebergs we passed on the way to B9B-

After a rather quiet dinner-whitebait fritters,venison with cranberry/pork glaze and roasted rooy veggies and an ice coupe-I couldn't sleep.Tossed and turned for a while but eventually got up and started reading-kindles are great-ended up reading 9 books on this trip.As a bonus I was sitting at our window and over an hour saw at least 20 whales-Mincke,Humpback(mother and calf) and pilot whales.Also intersting skies early in the morning.

Next-zodiac cruising in the pack ice.

 

[drron]

After brekkie it was layer up and into the zodiacs to cruise the pack ice.We are now a fair distance to the continent but even here we see an Adelie penguin on the ice.Mincke and humpbacks are patrolling the edge of the pack ice as well so an interesting morning.hope you aren't getting bored with the pics but here is more ice.First my pics-

Improvised underwater photography.

 

[drron]

We then harvested some ice for this evening's coughtails-

And the birds decided to come in close-

And we pulled some flotsam off the ice-

Next the incompararily better photos of mrsdrron-I have to say that.

 

[jandj]

and, prey tell, how did we feel after the coughtail ?
Would have needed a damn big glass.....!

keep it coming Mrs and drron. Love checking the page every day for the update.

 

[RB]

Excellent report again drron. Our day cruise mob in Alaska also pinched glacier ice for coughtails- must say the Antarctica you are showing us is spectacular!

 

[drron]

Now mrsdrron is really into ice so here we go-

 

[drron]

 

[drron]

Believe me there is a whale out there!

Well jandj here are the ingredients for my coughtail.
Next-My polar plunge.

 

[drron]

Before lunch it was time for the Polar Plunge.I had done one in the Arctic in August so wasn't going to miss this.The temperature though was a lot lower than in the north with air temp at zero C and water temperature just above this so discretion got the better of me and as well as my bathers i wore a thermal top.And so as not to prolong my time in the water i jumped rather than dived-in the arctic my cozzies dropped to my knees on diving so i had to pull them up before surfacing.
What confidence!

And such style.

Probably lost points on entry.

But feeling refreshed as i emerge.

Post plunge relaxing with another Caloundra resident.

So a plunge into the icy brine at both ends of the world less than 5 months apart.looks stupid but the endorphins really flow and you feel on a high for several hours after.
Next-the low point of the cruise.

 

[drron]

I really felt well at lunch.Captain Mike joined us for lunch and we heard a few more tales from the sea.A really nice carved ham was the main attraction of the lunch buffet today.However it was now at least 3 days until we reached Macca-Macquarie island.Dinner was golden Bay scallops with broad beans,potato gnocchi.then rack of lamb,mrsdrron having the beef and Guinness pie.

Dessert was an apple tarte tatin.But during dinner the Maitre'D informs us that our son is calling the ship in 15 minutes-we both know this cant be good news.Mrsdrron's mother has been admitted to Nambour with a large heart attack-was not expected to survive the weekend(though she did and we were able to see her when we got home).Naturally mrsdrron is not feeling well and we finish dinner in our cabin.We buy internet access-$50 for 2 hours,slow as the proverbial wet week and prone to drop out.
However the ship's crew was fantastic particularly Clinton the Maitre'd and all the office staff.We were able to use the ship's internet and phone and family could email the ship so we got messages immediately.however with all this the next few days went very slowly-mostly foggy days and nights so no Southern lights.on the Saturday it was almost balmy with temperature 2 C.
For dinner that night we have pasta shells with shellfish,roasted garlic and parmesan.Mrsdrron had the poached salmon fillet with salmon pearls and I had the Vietnamese style beef with rice vermicelli.Dessert was great-lychee soup with gooseberries,basil jelly and mint with coconut ice cream.

After dinner was an auction of Mawson memorabilia.I set my heart on a $100 note that had been signed again by the original signatories Bernie Fraser and c Cole as well as by Mawson's grandchildren,Sir edmund Hiliary,the then governor general Sir William dean and all surviving PMs at that time.unfortunately I was the underbidder pulling out at $19000-probably worth more but a little short on readies.As well the other fellow obviously wasn't going to stop.
sunday and my MIL had been moved to the Sunshine Coast Private Hospital and being looked after by Cardiologists I respect.Still foggy,seas only 3 metres,good lecture on whales,pizza for lunch so doing well in the cicumstances.Dinner once again very good.I started with the seafood with coriander and chilli.We both had the whole roasted beef rib which was fantastic.Mrsdrron had the choux pastry swan with chocolate creme on a strawberry pond whilst i had the cheeseboard.

After dinner we had the passenger variety show-some real talent.
next some picture on the sea voyage.

 

[drron]

Although it sounds boring sailing across the high seas for 3 days the time passed quickly.good lectures,reading our kindles,enjoying the company of other pax and crew but also sometimes just incredible colours.But first-the usual fog-

then the clouds-

Next-one of the highlights-Macca.

 

[anat0l]

Looks like you are the brave (and resilient) one - first getting hosed down in your swimming gear, then jumping into the icy water.

There seems to be no shortage of interesting and tasty food on the trip. Seems far better than going to a luxury hotel and expecting the same menu (a la carte or buffet) every single day.

Great TR, drron - keep it going! Blessings to your mother-in-law - hope she is doing well.

 

[drron]

Macquarie Island turned on a great day.According to their records there are on average just 28 fine days per year here and we got one of them.We awoke on the 10th January anchored here.As a bonus the swell was also slight.We were set to enjoy a most enjoyable day.I have set up a slide show on trip advisor-150 pics that will take~15 minutes to watch if interested.Here is the link.
Macca Slideshow & Video | TripAdvisor
However i will include a selection in this TR as usual.Macca is oficially part of Tasmania but I got no special treatment as a Tassie worker and still had to fill out entry and exit cards.so after brekkie it was time to layer up and prepare to go ashore.Time for a few pics before going on the zodiac-

land on the rocky beach and first a walk along the beach.the wildlife here is amazing-King,Royal,Rockhopper and Gentoo penguins.Skua,petrels,giant seagulls and blue eyed shags as well as the elephant seals.A lot of the Island though has been ruined by rabbits who have had a population explosion since the feral cats were eradicated.
So to the pics-

 

[jandj]

Polar plunge ! you forgot your tablets this trip !!

 

[drron]

Polar plunge ! you forgot your tablets this trip !!

No I continued to take my fish oil caps.
Anat0l-thanks for the thoughts.unfortunately she died a week after our return from the Antarctic-she was 93.A wonderful woman with an amazing story I may talk about at the end of the TR.All I can say is do talk to those old folk you meet-there are just remarkable stories out there.