After an epic adventure to Peter I Island yesterday, a sea day was exactly what we needed to process the excitement of this once in a lifetime experience. Today we are crossing the Bellingshausen Sea towards Alexander Island, which is the southernmost point of our voyage of exploration.
This morning, we enjoyed a fantastic presentation about ice seals by undersea specialist, Maya Santangelo. Maya broadened our understanding of these incredible mammals that live on the edge of the ice and on the edge of what is physically possible at this extreme end of our planet.
Late morning, naturalist Rob Edwards shared a presentation entitled, “Time to Build a Continent: The Geology of Antarctica.” Rob described the fundamental differences in Antarctica from east to west. By showing us how the Antarctic Peninsula is really an extension of the Andes, he helped us understand how Antarctica became so isolated from the rest of our planet’s continents.
After lunch, we enjoyed a fun sketching and art class from naturalist Marylou Blakeslee in the Ice Lounge. Who knew gentoo feet were so difficult to master! Later, we had the chance to experience the world of penguins through the eyes of Penguin Watch’s penguinologist Tom Hart, who shared his presentation, “Penguins of the Southern Ocean.”
We passed 70o south in latitude this evening, and later tonight, we head even farther below this significant mark on the map. Who knows what tomorrow will bring?
