Words (and photos and videos) simply can’t encapsulate the experience. I’ll do my best though. Simply amazing views, life changing might be underselling it a bit. So much wildlife and incredible panoramic views in all 360 degrees around high and low, and SUPER calm waters as we just cruised along. Super peaceful and good for the soul.
Morning Run
We were set to get into the Gerlache Strait around 8AM, but in my excitement, couldn’t possibly sleep till 8, so found myself antsy and awake around 6, so started off the morning with a quick run outside.
First day in a couple days that the outside was even open for people to walk around, so I ended up gearing up for a quick run. Quite a few looks as to why I was in t-shirt and shorts, but I was running, and it was actually around 40 degrees, so I would’ve done it back home in that weather too. Was good to get back out and get a run in.
Setting Up Shop
I assumed that the spots were going to get massively crowded, but I forgot 3 things. 1) the makeup of this cruise generally slants toward people that favor their balconies :D, 2) we’re not sailing at full capacity and 3) I generally stay to the less crowded areas anyway.
No worries, I set up to get my spot around 7am, and ended up staying for the majority of the day. Few friends wandered by and I borrowed a large flag for a pic as well. Temperature was pretty decent. I had a couple layers on and the comfy was a great addition.
Pulled out the monopod for the first time for the long lens for some stability on a moving ship, and it was really really helpful.
Icebergs
We started off with LOTS of icebergs, and from far away I noticed one with some fun arches, but after snapping like 50 photos from a far, the captain announced we were making a detour to go closer (like….REALLY close), so ended up getting some really detailed pictures of the iceberg too.
Arch Iceberg
Other Icebergs
Snow!
Got some flurries for about 10 minutes, which was also magical and reminded me of home.
Wildlife
Saw so much wildlife as we were cruising through the strait, but even after we passed the strait and headed to paradise bay, we kept seeing more animals, so I ended up coming back out and staying out there. We ended up seeing 4 different humpback breaches and as the captain said “looks like we’ve got a jumper”.
Penguins
So many penguins all over. Lots jumping in and out of the water around the ship all day long, and then a lot chilling on the icebergs and just generally waddling around.
I think my favorite one by far though is this single penguin on a slab of ice. I feel this penguin so much. I love my introverted friends :).
Whales
So many humpbacks everywhere, never gets old to see a whale and anticipate. A couple even came right up to our ship and under the helipad. Took a bunch of time to just watch the whales instead of trying to capture everything since there were like a million people capturing the breaches anyway just enjoyed the sight for the most part.
Did get a synchronized (relatively) whale dive, which was spectacular. They were also just so peacefully circling around when we weren’t being super annoying and cruising fast.
Other Wildlife
Paradise Bay
As evening came around, we headed to Paradise Bay, and as we entered it really was a paradise. SUPER…and I really mean super…calm waters and as we entered, there were literally humpbacks EVERYWHERE. In every direction spouts appeared and they were singing to us all over.
We ended up staying there for a while while they lowered a small boat to grab some ice and have the photographers take our photo from different angles (of the boat). I definitely grabbed prime real estate in the photo with my comfy prominently displayed.
Also, really liked this one snow peak, as it kind of looked like a seal to me (signs when you’ve been seeing wildlife everywhere).
Cruising Timelapses
Our route, you can ignore the straight line, that’s when we go back into the cabin and it auto locates you at the last known port.
Timelapses from the day at various points.
Food
Finally went inside, cause I needed sustenance after being outside for about 10 hours. Calimari, meatballs and warm apple cobbler to warm me up. Was also good to catch up with Sangam and Fizri at dinner and try to get them out of the dining room to catch some of Antarctica before we left.
Vibe Check
5 parts joy – simply incredible.
Feedback
Leave a comment or question if you have any thoughts! Anything you want to know about as we go around the world? Any things you want to share as feedback, or any images that particularly spoke to you. I’ll try to read all of them as time permits!
Matti 
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