National Geographic Resolution found herself ever closer to the Great White Continent this morning. We spent the first part of our day finishing the transit of the Drake Passage, and by breakfast we encountered our first big ice, a tabular iceberg.
In the afternoon, we arrived at our first destination here in Antarctica, Deception Island. Located in the South Shetland Islands, Deception Island is actually the caldera of an active volcano. With basically the shape of a horseshoe, there is only one small gap to enter the calm waters of its interior. Under the most beautiful weather conditions you can ask for, Captain Martin of National Geographic Resolution skillfully took her through.
During an early dinner, we repositioned just outside the island’s coast. We launched our Zodiacs and offered a sunset cruise. With our first close-ups of a massive chinstrap penguin colony, it was an amazing first outing down here in Antarctica.
