Neko Harbor and Paradise Bay, Antarctica
Par-a-dise according to The New Oxford American Dictionary is: “an ideal or idyllic place or state” and their example of the word used in a sentence is: “My idea of paradise is to relax on the seafront.” Exactly what we experienced on this day full of superlatives beginning with a before-breakfast transit of the scenic Errera Channel.
The waters of Neko Harbor were crystal clear and we reveled at the opportunity to see gentoo penguins swimming beneath the surface. While these delightful birds are sometimes unsteady on shore, they excel at sea! Waves of these tuxedoed wonders arrived on the beach and began the long trek to the colony above. Speaking of long treks, we hearty souls followed Jason (and the penguins) up above the landing to a fabulous lookout high over the harbor. Throughout the morning the clouds cleared until finally we had a spectacular view of Mt. Francais at 9,055 feet or 2,760 meters on Anvers Island, the highest point of the Antarctica Peninsula.
After lunch, Ralph Lee Hopkins announced a “photo alert.” The combination of clear skies, deep blue icebergs, mirror reflections, and snowcapped peaks lured us on deck quickly, just in time to see a leopard seal floating by. Could it get any better? Yes! We headed for the afternoon landing at…where else…but Paradise Bay.
Par-a-dise is also defined as a “place or state of perfect happiness.” Paddling a kayak in calm waters under a sunny sky surrounded by icebergs beneath towering peaks couldn’t get any better, unless of course someone stopped by with a cup of hot Swedish spiced wine served with ginger cookies. And they did! The Zodiac tours took us through a maze of icebergs in every shape and size imaginable. It was pure magic. When it was time for all Zodiacs and kayaks to return to the National Geographic Explorer for dinner, we were not ready for our adventures to end. In the future when someone asks us our idea of paradise, we can think back and remember this perfect day in idyllic Antarctica that offered relaxation on a spectacular seafront.
