This morning we awoke early to an announcement of “Whales ahead!” Leaping from our comfortable beds and springing into action, all assembled on the bow, the bridge, or at any of the hundreds of windows on board the National Geographic Explorer. We watched the hour-long encounter with many different fin and humpback whales. A pre-breakfast appetizer that only Antarctica can serve up. Later we enjoyed the informational lecture about biosecurity in Antarctica and decontaminated our belongings with the staff in order to keep this beautiful continent pristine. The afternoon saw our first landing in the South Shetland Islands and the welcoming committee of chinstrap penguins received us in formal attire. A snow flurry added to the authenticity of the White Continent and to top it all off, Captain Oliver threw a cocktail party afterward