We have met Antarctica! Just after noon we spotted our first iceberg and knew we were approaching. By the time lunch ended National Geographic Explorer was cruising amongst the South Shetland Islands, just off the Bransfield Strait, on the Northwest side of the Antarctic Peninsula. The navigation was full of beautiful sights of glaciers, penguins in the water, and whales to boot! We motored into Halfmoon Island to the site of a scarcely manned Argentine research base and landed amongst the abundant chinstrap penguins and numerous seabirds and seals scattered across the beach. A fantastic place to begin our tour of Antarctica. After a nice leg-stretch around the island and plenty of time to fill up our memory cards we headed home to the ship for dinner but were delayed by encountering a tabular iceberg of enormous proportions.
2/20/2024
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Cape Horn and Beagle Channel
The huge distances we have covered on this journey meant that our last full day was spent almost completely at sea on our return leg from Antarctica. After a merciful lie-in, we crowded the decks as we sailed past Cape Horn, the majestic headland at the bottom tip of Hornos Island, the southernmost point of Tierra del Fuego and the entire South American continent. Despite its fearsome reputation, pleasant seas allowed for an enjoyable brunch before we plunged into our presentation schedule for the morning and afternoon. Naturalist Gail Ashton related her experience of living on the Antarctica continent for 18 months, Jonny Reid discussed marine mammal acoustics and the underwater soundscapes of this region, and Jess Farrer explained how the study of whale and seal poop can tell us so much about these animals. As we entered the Beagle Channel, the stunning mountains of Tierra del Fuego lined our passage to Ushuaia. Gathering in the Ice Lounge for the captain’s farewell party, we toasted a hugely enjoyable trip and the new friends we have made.
