Cruising
Antarctica, Antarctic Peninsula –
Wilhelmina Bay was our first morning destination. Lots of whales and seals,
floating ice and magnificent scenery. An excursion boat was sending people off
in a zodiac, apparently for a scuba expedition.
There was also a sailboat in
one of the coves. Astonishingly, we saw an Emperor penguin on a small ice floe,
with a much smaller Gentoo penguin. Emperors are very rarely seen in this area
at this time of year, so we were delighted.
Later, we saw a Crab-eater seal on
another floe.
We saw a huge colony of Gentoo penguins, though they were far enough away that individuals could not be picked out in the crowd, even with binoculars. Later in the morning, we sailed through a bleaker area, with nearly no wildlife except a few birds, and glassily-calm water. By lunchtime, it was becoming hazy, and then snow began to fall.
We waited near the entrance to
Errera Channel for visibility to improve, because it is tricky for ships this
size, then entered. Once again, we saw whales in the distance. They were hunted
nearly to extinction at one time, but have made a remarkable come-back.
From
our balcony, we could see the mainland of Antarctica; and on the other side
(port) are islands that are Gentoo penguin breeding grounds. We could see and
smell them and saw very many of them in the water. Next was a quick passage to
and through the area we were to have visited tomorrow, because bad weather is
moving into the area, and the Captain wants to clear the Drake Passage before
that makes it too difficult. We missed all of that while we were at dinner, and
came out on deck to find that we were headed straight out to sea.
Pictures of the day
