Cuverville Island, Lemaire Channel, & Booth Island
Early morning light was shining yellow and gold on the snowy mountains along the Errera Channel. Slowly, the National Geographic Explorer picked her way through giant grounded icebergs and made her way to an anchorage off of Cuverville Island.
Zodiacs brought hikers ashore and a trek up the steep slope of the island began. Traversing the snow slope high up eventually led the intrepid hikers to the top for stunning views of the surrounding landscape. The hike down was going slowly, some decided that there was a much quicker and much more fun way down the mountain. Just sit down in the snow and slide, they were told. This trip down proved to be very exciting and full of laughs.
Those who decided to forgo a trip to shore went on a Zodiac cruise. Icebergs glistened in the sunlight and everyone was enjoying a view of them when, spotted off the starboard side of the ship, a leopard seal started chasing a penguin. We were all rooting for the penguin, but he was caught. It was fascinating to see the food chain in action.
An afternoon of cruising brought us through the breathtaking Paradise Harbor where we were regaled with the aquatic ballet of several humpback whales. Our first look at these whales during this trip brought many ooohs and ahhhs from the guests lining the rails to get a look. Next we made our way through the Lemaire Channel. Snowy peaks loomed above the ship as we cruised through the last narrow bit of the channel. Out we came on the other side and turned to anchor for a second time at Booth Island.
Booth Island is where Jean-Baptist Charcot made a winter home for himself and his men on the sailing ship Francais in 1904. On the island Charcot conducted all sorts of scientific research and data collection.
A post-dinner excursion landed most on shore to get a close up view of more Gentoo penguins, and also chinstrap and Adelie penguins. A minke whale and two humpback whales fluked in the pink and orange light reflecting on the water as everyone watched the sun sink behind the purple icebergs.
The sun set much earlier than most would have wished, putting an end to a glorious day in Antarctica.
Early morning light was shining yellow and gold on the snowy mountains along the Errera Channel. Slowly, the National Geographic Explorer picked her way through giant grounded icebergs and made her way to an anchorage off of Cuverville Island.
Zodiacs brought hikers ashore and a trek up the steep slope of the island began. Traversing the snow slope high up eventually led the intrepid hikers to the top for stunning views of the surrounding landscape. The hike down was going slowly, some decided that there was a much quicker and much more fun way down the mountain. Just sit down in the snow and slide, they were told. This trip down proved to be very exciting and full of laughs.
Those who decided to forgo a trip to shore went on a Zodiac cruise. Icebergs glistened in the sunlight and everyone was enjoying a view of them when, spotted off the starboard side of the ship, a leopard seal started chasing a penguin. We were all rooting for the penguin, but he was caught. It was fascinating to see the food chain in action.
An afternoon of cruising brought us through the breathtaking Paradise Harbor where we were regaled with the aquatic ballet of several humpback whales. Our first look at these whales during this trip brought many ooohs and ahhhs from the guests lining the rails to get a look. Next we made our way through the Lemaire Channel. Snowy peaks loomed above the ship as we cruised through the last narrow bit of the channel. Out we came on the other side and turned to anchor for a second time at Booth Island.
Booth Island is where Jean-Baptist Charcot made a winter home for himself and his men on the sailing ship Francais in 1904. On the island Charcot conducted all sorts of scientific research and data collection.
A post-dinner excursion landed most on shore to get a close up view of more Gentoo penguins, and also chinstrap and Adelie penguins. A minke whale and two humpback whales fluked in the pink and orange light reflecting on the water as everyone watched the sun sink behind the purple icebergs.
The sun set much earlier than most would have wished, putting an end to a glorious day in Antarctica.
