Gerlache Strait, Cuverille Island, Neko Harbor, Errera Channel, Paradise Harbor
We awoke to a pristine day of blue sky and the dramatic scenery of mountains and glaciers on both sides of Gerlache Strait. There was a gentle but cold breeze and we all bundled up to go out on deck to take in the majestic view. As we all marveled at the spectacular landscape of the Antarctic mountains, numerous whales appeared all around the Endeavour. There were Humpback whales exhibiting feeding behavior with lots of splashing and surging. We also saw Orca whales as they traveled slowly within the same area. After observing the Orcas throughout several minutes the Orcas appeared to be from the B group of Antarctica dwarf orca or orcinus nana whose primary prey is all of the types of seals within these waters. All this scenery and whales before breakfast!
Shortly after breakfast we landed via Zodiac on the cobblestone beach, of Cuverville Island. There were whale bones scattered along the length of the beach, as this had obviously been a sight used by the whalers of the past. This is the site of an important Gentoo penguin nesting colony and one of the few places that the rare Antarctic hair grass grows on the granite cliff along the edge of the beach.
After another terrific lunch aboard Endeavour we disembarked again via Zodiac to Neko Harbor which is our first stop actually on the Antarctic Peninsula; so for many it was their 7th continent!! We wandered the area above the beach overlooking the massive glacial wall that lines the bay, and observed more nesting Gentoo penguins.
Some guests hiked to the top of the ridge for the great view. On the way down, some guests chose to slide toboggan style on their bottoms; laughing heartily all the way down.
Upon returning to the ship we headed for Errera Channel and Paradise Harbor, spectacular scenery all the way, towering glacier covered mountains and amazingly sculpted icebergs. As we entered the bay we could see the orange buildings of the Chilean station. We raised the Chilean flag as a show of respect.
While stopped within Paradise Harbor along the steep cliff on the southeast side to allow our dive team to do some underwater investigation and filming of the area. Plus we completed an important count of Blue Eyed Shags nests along the same steep wall.
In the afternoon we were treated to a fascinating lecture by Fen Montaigne about the history and exploration of Gerlache Strait.
After dinner we transited through Lemaire Channel (curiously named for a famous Belgian Congo explorer) toward the long polar sunset. We were accompanied by Orca Whales all the way through the channel. The scenery was of epic beauty, towering cliffs, wrapped with glaciers and topped with snow!
The end to our day was perfection!
We awoke to a pristine day of blue sky and the dramatic scenery of mountains and glaciers on both sides of Gerlache Strait. There was a gentle but cold breeze and we all bundled up to go out on deck to take in the majestic view. As we all marveled at the spectacular landscape of the Antarctic mountains, numerous whales appeared all around the Endeavour. There were Humpback whales exhibiting feeding behavior with lots of splashing and surging. We also saw Orca whales as they traveled slowly within the same area. After observing the Orcas throughout several minutes the Orcas appeared to be from the B group of Antarctica dwarf orca or orcinus nana whose primary prey is all of the types of seals within these waters. All this scenery and whales before breakfast!
Shortly after breakfast we landed via Zodiac on the cobblestone beach, of Cuverville Island. There were whale bones scattered along the length of the beach, as this had obviously been a sight used by the whalers of the past. This is the site of an important Gentoo penguin nesting colony and one of the few places that the rare Antarctic hair grass grows on the granite cliff along the edge of the beach.
After another terrific lunch aboard Endeavour we disembarked again via Zodiac to Neko Harbor which is our first stop actually on the Antarctic Peninsula; so for many it was their 7th continent!! We wandered the area above the beach overlooking the massive glacial wall that lines the bay, and observed more nesting Gentoo penguins.
Some guests hiked to the top of the ridge for the great view. On the way down, some guests chose to slide toboggan style on their bottoms; laughing heartily all the way down.
Upon returning to the ship we headed for Errera Channel and Paradise Harbor, spectacular scenery all the way, towering glacier covered mountains and amazingly sculpted icebergs. As we entered the bay we could see the orange buildings of the Chilean station. We raised the Chilean flag as a show of respect.
While stopped within Paradise Harbor along the steep cliff on the southeast side to allow our dive team to do some underwater investigation and filming of the area. Plus we completed an important count of Blue Eyed Shags nests along the same steep wall.
In the afternoon we were treated to a fascinating lecture by Fen Montaigne about the history and exploration of Gerlache Strait.
After dinner we transited through Lemaire Channel (curiously named for a famous Belgian Congo explorer) toward the long polar sunset. We were accompanied by Orca Whales all the way through the channel. The scenery was of epic beauty, towering cliffs, wrapped with glaciers and topped with snow!
The end to our day was perfection!
