We awoke to icebergs on the horizon, bathed in beautiful pastel light. After breakfast we attended a presentation about our future new friends: penguins! Just before lunch as we approached the continental shelf, the number of seabirds increased steadily, and we even observed our first humpback whales of the voyage.

Teatime was everyone’s favorite. We enjoyed cheese and wine, accompanied by the most spectacular of icebergs — a huge arch. Captain Heidi and her bridge team took us off course just to get a better view.

In the afternoon our National Geographic photographer, Andy Coleman, gave us tips on how to capture the best images of wildlife and landscapes for the coming days.

After dinner National Geographic Resolution crossed 66° 33’, the Antarctic Circle. The light was magical, and we all gathered on the stern for a photo and a “cheers” to the adventure to come.