Deception Island, Whaler’s Bay, Bransfield Strait

New Year’s Eve!

Early in the morning we catch the first glimpses of Antarctica. Visibility is good and the sea and wind conditions calm. Most of us get up and go on deck to relish this first moment in our adventure south.

Throughout the morning we sail between Snow and Smith Islands and by late morning are sailing around Deception Island. We briefly stop off at Bailey Head to allow the Oceanites scientists to go ashore and count chinstrap penguins. We are able to catch glimpses of this very large rookery.

A little later we are sailing through the impressive Neptune’s Bellows, the entrance to the caldera of the volcano. Soon enough we are anchored in Whaler’s Bay and getting ready for our first landing. The first activity of the day is to go for a swim. A large number don their clothes and venture out into the “warm” waters along the coastline. The “uhs” and “ahs” seem to indicate to those who choose not to frolic in these Antarctic waters that the experience is not always warm. However, it is noteworthy that a group of young people remained in a warm wallow for an hour and a half!

After this invigorating experience we go ashore at this historic place to take a walk along the beach and enjoy many relics harking back to the whaling days. Bits of wood, water boats, huge metal tanks, the old boilers and the wooden houses are all part of the only shore-based whaling station in Antarctica. The wooden houses were later used by the British for their base here, which had to be abandoned in a hurry during the 1969 eruption.

We also get to see our first penguins, as well as an elephant seal, cape petrels and skuas. A good number of us also venture out in the kayaks and explore the bay.

By late afternoon we once more sail through Neptune’s Bellows and into the Bransfield Strait and head for the Antarctic Sound. After dinner there are many large icebergs about the ship including a spectacular one with arches and deep blue colors.

At midnight we gather in the lounge and a very happy and boisterous crowd brings in the New Year. This is done in the old tradition on ships with the sounding of eight bells to bid farewell to 2009 by the oldest member on the ship and then the youngest member sounds eight bells to welcome in 2010.

Outside the ice landscape is breathtaking. What a great first day. We look forward to what the New Year has in store for us tomorrow.