Chile and Antarctica cruise

[RooFlyer]

Just to add: There was mobile coverage at the base! An American in my zodiac called their folks at home ...

 

[RooFlyer]

The New Years Eve bash was across the ship, with the same menu. We were in The restaurant as guests of the Exped people, as above so unfortunately had to start 1/2 an hour later than almost everyone else. The place was buzzing.

Menu for the evening





No further pics of the meal - it doesn't seem to be the done thing.

Dinner finished about 11:30pm-ish at which point I would usually go to bed, but as it was still light, I had a drink at The Grill on the pool deck with @Port Power and waited for the big moment.



The count-down was pre-empted by the ship's horn which blast ed out at about t-minute. The Captain officiated:







Just for the record, the Captain doesn't so much drive the ship as manage staff. At least that what he told us!! It was good that a lot of the wait-staff and others got to join in.



Note it still was quite light (as it remained, all night). I didn't hear of anyone going in the pool.




7am that morning, all had been spruced up again, and the ice sculpture hadn't melted much. Another gorgeous day awaits ...

 

[tgh]

It is a bit later in the season and you now have very light snow cover and with it penguin pong.
We were early, some places were hard to access from ice but it was all pristine…... and odourless
Unloading zodiacs at the Argentine station was as hairy as… expedition leader and helpers in the water up to their armpits pushing chunks of ice aside to grab the ducks as the intrepid adventurers attempted the leap of death to shore.
'Twas quite an adventure, everyone survived but too edgy for todays world I am afraid.

 

[Seat0B]

Amazing photos, amazing trip report

Plus amazing destination and amazing knowledge of geology generously shared. I am learning a lot. Thanks @RooFlyer!

 

[love_the_life]

It is a bit later in the season and you now have very light snow cover and with it penguin pong.
We were early, some places were hard to access from ice but it was all pristine…... and odourless
Unloading zodiacs at the Argentine station was as hairy as… expedition leader and helpers in the water up to their armpits pushing chunks of ice aside to grab the ducks as the intrepid adventurers attempted the leap of death to shore.
'Twas quite an adventure, everyone survived but too edgy for todays world I am afraid.

We were early in the season too and before the penguin pong took odoriferous to a whole new level. It did mean we couldn't cross the Antarctic Circle though as there was too much ice. I remember now how much of my Advanced Geology from uni I have forgotten.

 

[love_the_life]

Oh and a photo of the 'custom neck gaiter' if you would be so kind, Sir.

 

[zig]

My trip there was early in the season, but fortunately I didn't encounter the penguin odour.

Did you not get to go ashore at the naval base?

 

[Pushka]

Oh and a photo of the 'custom neck gaiter' if you would be so kind, Sir.

And I'm googling Fisherman's knit.

 

[love_the_life]

And I'm googling Fisherman's knit.

It’s a great stitch

 

[RooFlyer]

Did you not get to go ashore at the naval base?

No. Apparently hasn't been a thing since you know what. We were supposed to land at Brown Bluff, but too much small ice in rafts to make it safe.

 

[zig]

No. Apparently hasn't been a thing since you know what. We were supposed to land at Brown Bluff, but too much small ice in rafts to make it safe.

I thought that might be the issue. It’s unfortunate, the base was quite interesting.

 

[RooFlyer]

We saw just one (one) person there. Kinda odd.

 

[VPS]

On our cruise which was BC the guys from the station came on board and had lunch and left with some supplies. (Some of the supplies were liquid )

 

[RooFlyer]

Oh and a photo of the 'custom neck gaiter' if you would be so kind, Sir.

Here ’tis, ( doubled over) with a lovely beanie from STH Georgia.


Here is my entire outer layer collection - waterproof long pants with zip bottom, to go over boots ( not shown); SilverSea jacket ( but not the inner puffer-jacket-like piece), SilverSea zodiac life jacket, gloves (unfortunately not waterproof and I never needed the goretex mittens I brought along), beanie and neck gaiter.

 

[Quickstatus]

the Captain doesn't so much drive the ship as manage staff

I'm glad someone is at the helm as Captain is a partyboi.

What latitude were you at at 0000hrs

 

[latawiec]

Photo nr IMG_4429.JPG is amazing. And it is one that may have a great value

 

[RooFlyer]

I was up at 6am on New Years Day, threw open the curtains and was dazzled by this vista.



We were en route down the archipelago of the Antarctic peninsula to Orne Harbour, where a 'continental landing' was promised in the afternoon. Started off at Esperanza base, and Orne is the red circle lower left; position about the dashed line at 6am. Speed restrictions in this channel due to the density of whales.

What latitude were you at at 0000hrs

I'll get back to you on that.

It was a glorious sunny day; actually warm on protected parts of the ship, but otherwise cool and very pleasant. There was hour after hour of glaciated mountains on both sides of the channel.





En route we encountered a large iceberg, seemingly housing a submarine base, and of course the Captain ordered a beeline to it for a close drift-by.








Captain takes a selfie... He's very popular. Frequently seen about the ship, in the restaurants (eating casually) and indulging the expedition leader's requests wherever possible.

 

[RooFlyer]

Have I mentioned whales? Several places on the cruise where we would be advised they would be in numbers and this channel was one. Fins and humpbacks mostly, with occasional Orcas. One person said they saw a good breach, but mostly its spouting, dorsal fin, occasional tail and occasional fin slapping. But many, many around.



I suspect this guy was asleep, as it just lay there for 3-4 minutes, spouting occasionally. They only have half their brain asleep at any one time.



Had lunch at The Grill on the pool deck, ready for action



And sure enough @Port Power spotted one right beside us; then another which dived under the ship.






Diving under the boat





But other than that, it was (slow) mile after mile of white and blue

 

[RooFlyer]

It was just mile after mile of stunning glaciated mountain scenery.









British polar research vessel









World Voyager. There are many vessels in this channel.



The Silver Endeavour choofed past. They had come straight across the Drake Strait to cruise the archipelago. Bought off Crystal when they went under, its only a couple of years old and was built as an expedition boat (as opposed to S Wind which has been retrofitted).



Hard to see that down there are both the S Endeavour and the Silver Cloud. The Cloud has preceded us on our entire itinerary so far, but has had much less favourable weather. I think we benefited from their reports!

 

[RooFlyer]

We reached our destination, Orne Harbour in the afternoon and it was a stunning sight as the harbour opened up to us.


















In the harbour there was a small, but steep hill to climb if you wished, or there was just a zodiac cruise with a "continental landing" . Lets go!!