We were blessed with another exceptionally warm, calm day for this morning’s visit to Port Lockroy and Jougla Point. The team running the historic base on Goudier Island had spent the previous night on board with us on National Geographic Explorer enjoying some Christmas cheer. There had been an unusual amount of ice in the bay at Lockroy at the beginning of this season which had prevented many ships from visiting. The team running Lockroy seemed to be as pleased to see us as we were to see them.
Once ashore at Lockroy we were able to enjoy the Island and its spectacular mountainous setting in ideal conditions. Snow still covered much of the island but the gentoo penguins had managed to establish themselves on their nesting sites and seemed to be remarkably content. The numerous snowy sheathbills hanging out around the buildings amused us all with their unusual way of walking and standing around on one leg. Each year the exhibits in the museum at Lockroy, portraying life on an early science station, are improved. It really is wonderful to see this unique presentation in this natural location. Shopping in the gift shop seemed to be as popular as ever.
There is a film crew at Port Lockroy this season making a film about the penguins and life on the base for the BBC and PBS. They are staying on a small yacht in a bay beside the base. It should make for interesting viewing when it is released this time next year.
The bright sunshine that we have been blessed with for most of our trip to Antarctica prevailed through the afternoon as we made our way north from Lockroy on our passage through the Gerlache Strait and out through Dallmann Bay. Numerous humpback and minke whales were seen along the way. In the heart of Dallmann Bay we came across a dozen or more humpback whales feeding on what must have been a vast shoal of krill below the surface. What a spectacle this provided as we watched the whales repeatedly dive into the thick of the kill and return to the surface to breath. Large flocks of southern fulmars fed on the water’s surface, picking up the krill that the whales spilt during their frenzied feeding. The whales seemed to be oblivious of our ship as they fed all around, while everyone on deck fired away with their cameras, collecting some truly remarkable images.
The positive energy of everyone on board was palpable as all guests and staff came together at our evening re-cap. We have been blessed with wonderful weather and amazing wildlife sightings throughout this voyage to Antarctica. Antarctica is a very special place. It is with sadness that we set out into the Drake Passage, heading back to the other world.
