Sunday, March 9, 2014

Crossing the circle on way to Horseshoe Island

We crossed the Antarctic circle at a most inconvenient time. It was about 6.45 am so we all rugged up and gathered on deck to mark the event. They served hot chocolate rather than the champagne that we would have had with a later crossing. We could have had a sleep in as well!
In reality these days half the passengers had devices that tell you latitude and longitude they couldn't tell a fib. We even have it on our new camera.


We had earlier crossed the convergence that marks the significant change in conditions and marks the geographic boundry of Antarctica
At first we saw just a few icebergs but now there were lots. We visited Horseshoe Island and Marguerite Bay and then on for our second stop at Stonington Island.
We saw the first of our penguins, Adelie that hang out the furthest south.
The only problem is that you smell them before you can see them!

The Zodiac drivers were great and included many of the specialist guides such as marine biologists, ornithologists, historians, geologists etc. This is Horseshoe Island
Yes the zodiacs are covered in snow.We prepare for Stonington Island

Guess who?
There are old bases in this area from Britain and USA.. This was our furthest point south and the furthest south that they had reached this season. Our zodiac driver/guide of 10 years Antarctic experience had never been able to get into either of these places.

Finally we were able to relax aboard the ship on the snow lounges

3 comments:

Miss Di said...

Oh my, I can't get over the COLD. Nice beanie you've got there mum!

xoxo
Di

Miss Di said...

BTW I think given the climate the hot chocolate (and lashings of it too please) sounds much more appealing that champagne. Bet you all never thought you'd hear me say that!

xoxo

Amanda said...

Surely there's such a thing as an Irish Hot Chocolate? Surely?