Windy and cold day, but really fun enjoying scenic views of Antarctica as we cruised along, then searching and finding the small creatures amidst the gigantic views everywhere. Lots of people were taking one look and then going inside assuming there was nothing to see, but you needed to have discipline, vision and patience to really enjoy the views.
Magnificent day, and my soul really feels full (and a little overwhelmed still by the wildness and magnificence of this neck of the world).
Morning and Setup
Woke up and headed outside. Even though we had a afternoon arrival time to elephant island (scheduled for 2pm), my lesson from yesterday was that the views were not something I’d want to miss by being inside. I grabbed all my stuff (and a chai latte) and headed upstairs for the day. Passed part of the ice they grabbed off the ship as well on the way :D.
Apparently it snowed overnight as well, but it was bright and sunny, and immediately had fantastic views all around.
The Views
Some lovely sunlight broke through the clouds at one point as well.
Icebergs
Lots of really nice, interesting icebergs that floated by as we cruised to elephant island.
A lot of people didn’t even look closely at the icebergs, but any one that was slated into the ocean, if you looked closer at it, they were lined with black dots, which when you zoom in, turn out to be HUNDREDS of penguins! Really fun to look out for penguins all day long. I really am glad I got lasik before the cruise and am benefiting from the eagle eye vision at the moment.
Wildlife
Penguins
Lots of the penguins were swimming and jumping as well, which was a fascinating sight to see 20+ at once.
Whales
LOTS of whales again, took a few photos, but mostly enjoyed watching them, at one point a pod got really close and were VERY vocal and right at the surface. Saw three orcas in the distance using the telephoto (saw the fin and the distinctive eye patch and rounded head), but was too busy admiring to get a decent photo. Some blue whales and humpbacks as well.
Birds
Lots of birds all around as well, really interesting to watch them soar and play with the water (makes you wonder what flying would be like).
Cruising Lapses
Wrapping Up the Day
It was definitely windy and cold, and people came and left over the day. Love my secluded spot thats not as crazy packed with people and we can move around and take photos. Ended up wrapping up and heading back inside after a couple hours out capturing the views (about 5 hours for the day).
We left the island and cove (where a famous expedition got shipwrecked — and probably had to eat all those numerous penguins out there) pretty quickly after lingering for a bit.
On the way out of Antarctica and heading back to through the Drake Passage, the captain informed us there was reports of low pressure system starting to form, so they wanted to beat the storm by leaving and going back pretty quickly. As I left, I noticed that it definitely did start getting a lot more windy as we left the peaceful, calm waters (and started booking it back north).
Food
Grabbed some delicious WARM food after a quick hot shower before heading to the pub to end the night for some music while importing photos. Ok, to be fair, maybe only the pork chop was warm, but it was all delicious.
Final Thoughts
Was another spectacular day, and especially my introvert heart had a wonderful time out there just enjoying the cruising and the views. I did get a little sad for some folks, I heard quite a few people walk by and complain about the views saying some version of “we came all this way, and there’s nothing to see” or “why can’t we get closer, we can’t see anything”.
The captain and his crew have been FANTASTIC at keeping us informed, communicating and also keeping us safe. I’m 99.9% sure we got as close as was safe.
People were leaving without really looking at the views or looking closer to see that there WAS in fact a TON of wildlife. It makes me sad that they’re just missing out in their haste to go back to whatever they want to do for entertainment (movie, bar, dinner, show, etc.), we’re in this paradise and they’re missing out cause they’re not looking closely (I’m sure I also missed stuff cause I’m sure I didn’t spot everything as there’s just SO much out there).
Every once in awhile someone would come by, and I’d chat with them and tell them there were a lot of things out there, or point out where to look, and the sheer excitement and enjoyment of people finding penguins as they zoomed in on their iceberg photos was AMAZING.
I guess it applies to life back home as well, not just in Antarctica. Don’t forget to stop and look at the details and the little things in the midst of our busy lives.
Vibe Check
5 parts joy – not sure how long it’ll take me to process what I witnessed in Antarctica.
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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