Enterprise Bay and Neko Harbor, Antarctica
Sunshine bouncing from icebergs welcomed us to the day. Many of us were on deck from the very early hours as we entered the Gerlache Strait and saw Antarctica at her finest. The deep blue seas reflected the shimmering snowcapped mountains as the Endeavour glided her way to Enterprise Bay. As soon as we arrived, Zodiacs were lowered and we cruised amongst the towering icebergs for two hours. A leopard seal decided to check us out, patrolling around our Zodiacs and giving us some great close up views.
After a quick lunch it was back out onto deck to see our entrance to Neko Harbor and make our landing on the continent. Captain Leif Skog almost touched the beach with the Endeavour in the most impressive demonstration of seamanship. A few minutes later we were also on the beach, surrounded by penguins and enjoying the sunshine. It was perfect conditions for kayaking, so our platform was quickly lowered. Over the course of the afternoon 70 guests went kayaking through the ice and along the bay. To experience Antarctica by kayak is surreal – gliding through icebergs under your own direction is so peaceful. Penguins porpoising, ice melting and cracking, seals lounging on the ice, icebergs looming; Antarctica was continuing her daily business and we were lucky enough to be a part of it. Once back on board it was time for dinner, our appetites fed by such a beautiful and full day. Executive Chef Henrik Ahlberg and his galley put on a spectacular Argentinean BBQ Dinner, causing a rush back downstairs for cameras. After dinner we met on the aft deck for some glug whilst enjoying the breathtaking scenery. With the sun only setting at 2am it was hard to drag ourselves away from the deck. Many of us fell into bed in the early hours of the morning, not wanting to miss a thing. Days like this become memories of a lifetime.
Sunshine bouncing from icebergs welcomed us to the day. Many of us were on deck from the very early hours as we entered the Gerlache Strait and saw Antarctica at her finest. The deep blue seas reflected the shimmering snowcapped mountains as the Endeavour glided her way to Enterprise Bay. As soon as we arrived, Zodiacs were lowered and we cruised amongst the towering icebergs for two hours. A leopard seal decided to check us out, patrolling around our Zodiacs and giving us some great close up views.
After a quick lunch it was back out onto deck to see our entrance to Neko Harbor and make our landing on the continent. Captain Leif Skog almost touched the beach with the Endeavour in the most impressive demonstration of seamanship. A few minutes later we were also on the beach, surrounded by penguins and enjoying the sunshine. It was perfect conditions for kayaking, so our platform was quickly lowered. Over the course of the afternoon 70 guests went kayaking through the ice and along the bay. To experience Antarctica by kayak is surreal – gliding through icebergs under your own direction is so peaceful. Penguins porpoising, ice melting and cracking, seals lounging on the ice, icebergs looming; Antarctica was continuing her daily business and we were lucky enough to be a part of it. Once back on board it was time for dinner, our appetites fed by such a beautiful and full day. Executive Chef Henrik Ahlberg and his galley put on a spectacular Argentinean BBQ Dinner, causing a rush back downstairs for cameras. After dinner we met on the aft deck for some glug whilst enjoying the breathtaking scenery. With the sun only setting at 2am it was hard to drag ourselves away from the deck. Many of us fell into bed in the early hours of the morning, not wanting to miss a thing. Days like this become memories of a lifetime.
