That's a Wrap, Wait a Minute COVID STRIKES!!!

 Antarctica With Adventures by Disney:



“And now I can hardly believe that it was all true. Yet it was true —
gloriously so. I, too, have seen and known and learnt; I, too, have
companioned with the great souls who help to make our island history.
Sir Ernest Shackleton, Commander Frank Wild and the others, all great
of heart and fearless of soul, had been my shipmates and my friends. It
was a memorable year indeed, and for all time I know I must carry with
me a vision of tumbling waves by day and phosphorescent breakers in the
darkness; the grind and bellow of the closing pack, the rush and roar of
broken waters at the growlers' feet; the hushed noises of the seals as they
come to the surface in the still water of the pack; and always shall I see in
mind's eye the glory of the Antarctic night. And most poignant yet
inspiring of all my memories there is that of the lonely cross outlined
against the whirling drive of the South Georgian sleet, the sign which
remains to tell of the great spirit that led us forth and died, yet lives again,
as a magnet to draw the brave away from the sleek comforts of life into
that outer world of daring where men may gaze in awe upon the wonders
of the Lord.”   From Into the Frozen South by Scout James Marr

James Marr was one of two Boy Scouts who were on the Quest Expedition, which was Shackleton’s final Antarctica voyage. 




All in all a most excellent experience. The Adventure Guides, as they are called, did a great job of keeping things going and facilitating the trip. 

The Ponant Naturalists were great and exceeded my high expectations. The Ponant Crew and ship were excellent again beyond my expectations. 

Would I hesitate to travel again with Ponant, not at all. I accept ABD for the experience it is and roll with it.

In talking to other passengers who have been on other expedition cruises I am getting the overall feeling all are very equal in their offerings.

With that said, I am looking forward to our Arctic Trip in June of 2023 with AbD/Ponant. My research starts when we get home.

As the trip drew to a close, I tested positive for COVID. Straight to the Ships Doctors office for a Rapid PCR COVID test, which was positive. Then straight to our room for Quarantine. Fortunately we were moved to the Owners Suite for our time in quarantine.  Lynn tested positive the next day. We have spent our time reading, editing photos, watching some movies, watching activity and weather on the Ushuaia Harbour, and have been given access to the gym for an hour a day. If one must quarantine there is no better way.

The trip photos will be posted by 3/1, as I should have reliable faster Internet when we get home. They will be at: Soggy Moose Photos Antarctica Gallery




Decption Island

02072022  Deception Island in the Fog

Woke to fog as we head to deception island.

Located within the Bransford Strait, the island is roughly circular and horseshoe-shaped, with a maximum diameter around 15 km (9.3 mi). The highest peak, Mont Pond on the east side of the island, has an elevation of 539 m (1,768 ft), while Mount Kirkwood on the west has an elevation of 452 m (1,483 ft). Over half (57%) of the island is covered by glaciers up to 100 m thick, ice-cored moraines. The centre of the island has been flooded by the sea to form a large bay, now called Port Foster, about 6 miles long and 4 miles wide. The bay has a narrow entrance, just 1,640 ft wide, called Neptune’s Bellows. Making the navigation more difficult is Ravens’s Rock, a navigation hazard, lies just 8 feet below the water in the middle of the channel. Just inside Neptune's Bellows lies the cove Whalers Bay, an old abandoned whaling station. 

The island is a caldera and an active volcano with the last eruption in 1969.
It was rather windy and rough water today and no wildlife was to be observed. We opted to pass on this landing. Just a few took advantage and I wish we had as the afternoon landing condition were worse and cancelled. 

We then headed to start to make our way to the Drake headed back to Ushuaia. 

Time for a COVID test. 

I Tested Positive and will be Quarantined here on the ship for a week or more. Feeling fine just minor cold like symptoms. 



 

INTO THE WEDDELL SEA

 020622 Weddell Sea

We sailed through the night and into the morning and to the Weddell Sea.

Here we made our first landing on Heroina Island. Here we met the Adelie Penguin as we cruised along in Zodiacs. While the sea was a bit foggy and we did loose sight of the ship. As we cruised along we were greeted by Fur Seals and a Leopard Seal.  Then in a protected bay we made a landing where the beach was shared by Adelie Penguins and Fur Seals.  It was fun to observe the molting chicks chase their parents for a meal. This is a technique used to teach the chicks they need to chase their pray for food. They were learning this lesson very well. 

 

 


After lunch our second landing was on Paulet Island. As we approached this island we were greeted by Adelie Penguins in the water porpoising as they swam along. Then we hear see and smell the island. The Island is covered and I mean cover with penguins as far as the eye can see. About 200,000 give or take a few. Here on the Paulet Island we also find a Blue Eyed Shag Colony, evidence of volcanic activity and the remains of a hut built by early Swedish Antarctic Expedition members who were stranded on the Island in the Winter of 1903.  

 

 

SPERT ISLAND

 020522. Glacier day so they say

I am up at 0400 for a really nice sunrise, looks like we will have a sunny day today. Plan is to Zodiac cruise in the morning and afternoon. 

Well it was not a sunny day but moody foggy day at Spert Island, really kewl formations with ice and fog. We saw several different birds and even 3 fur seals. Oh and there was a whale as we started our Zodiac cruise. 

Lunch could be served earlier as I am hungry :)

As we proceeded to the glacier, Humpback Whales were spotted so we watched them. This delayed us enough so we had to start our transit to the Weddell Sea. 

In briefing presentations were given on penguins, icebergs, whales, and the formations we saw at Spert Island.

Before dinner there was a pool party near a beautiful iceberg. I learned the Captain had been tracking this iceberg and knew it was perfect for such an event. The LeLyrial crew and Naturalists are excellent.

Dinner and bed.  
 

The Lemaire Channel

 02042022

HAPPY FIRST ANTARCTIC BALLOON FLIGHT DAY 
020402. ON THE TERRA NOVA EXPEDITION. Scott was first to fly and then Shackleton, in a gas filled balloon. They reported all they could see was a vastness of white. 



Today we may sail through Lemaire Channel. This is a very scenic route. First traversed in December 1898, when the Belgica passed through. Expedition leader Gerlache named it for Charles Lemaire a Belgian explorer of the Congo.

Sailing through the Lemaire Channel is always nice. We grabbed a quick breakfast as we entered and ran out for photos.

At the end of the channel we were unable to make it through so Plan B a scenic Zodiac ride was enjoyed. Had a tabular Iceberg calf near us so we had to scoot back to the ship.

Afternoon we landed and walked about a Gentoo Penguin Colony.  

Today at 1700 we have our mid trip COVID test. I dd not study so will see how we do. 100% of ships passengers are negative.

I am so tired of eating I skipped dinner this evening. The crew, the food , the service and Ship are beyond excellent.

Yes many many many more photos will be posted later at Scott Hughes Soggy Moose Photo  

 

LANDING AT NEKO HARBOUR and CUVERVILLE ISLAND

 020322



 

 

As we went to bed last night we passed some burgy bits (ice) and land was all about. 



I woke to see a small tabular iceberg off the starboard side, with snow-covered mountains in the background. The skies are overcast. 

We are still sailing south at 6 knots towards Neko Harbor.

Neko Harbour was discovered by Belgian explorer Adrien de Gerlache during the Belgica Expedition. It was named for a Scottish whaling boat, the Neko.  Cuverville Island was also discovered by Adrien de Gerlache during the Belgica Expedition , who named it for Jules de Cuverville the Vice Admiral of the French Navy. 

 


We made two landings today the first was at Neko Harbor and the second was at Cuverville Island. Both landings had Gentoo Penguins in various stages of reproduction. From rock nest building and the theft of rocks to fuzzy larger chicks. There were also many Skua around as they are a predator of the young chicks. We did see Brown Skua and Southern Polar Skuas, the later distinguished by their lighter color head. 



At Neko Harbor landing there was a very cooperative Weddell Seal who was rather photogenic. You must go to Soggy moose photo to see him. https://11-scott-hughes.pixels.com/  more photos will be added later when we get to a fast Internet connection. 

 


Briefing and dinner then ready for bed as we sailed through the Errera Channel. 

Tomorrow might be Lemaire Channel.  



Crossing The Drake!

 02012022

0430 Wake up!!!! As a bowl of fruit crashes to the floor!

Guessing we are in 15-20 foot seas and we are rocking.
We are crossing the Drake Passage. 

While Lynn sleeps I will clean up and head out to find coffee. Alas the coffee station had not been manned when I arrived. Back to the room and collected Lynn, upon our return we had coffee as we waited for breakfast. 

Breakfast is a variety of items which can be ordered. The porridge is good. 

Sitting by the window, there were occasional waves splashing the porthole window. Seas are at 15-20 feet.

At 0915 we attended an expedition briefing and I must say the Naturalist team should probably meet my expectations. 

We were fitted with our parkas and returned to our room when our stateroom host arrived to freshen the room. We went to the Observation lounge and chilled till lunch. 

As we finished lunch there was a call for hourglass dolphins on the starboard side. We got a quick glimpse before they swam away. Good to see such sightings are announced throughout the ship. 

Back to the room to chill before the IAATO mandatory briefing at 1500.

Then a lecture on the Exploration of Antarctica. Good information.

Drinks and dinner, with nice conversation ended the day.  

Next Day 02022022:

The crossing of the drake continues. Position: 61 14.26 S, 064  20.97 W, Heading of 176 at 10.8 knots, Wind 91km/h with the seas at 19-22+. 

Food has been very good and the wines are spot on.
There were two naturalist presentations today on birds and whales. Both were excellent.  

I did try and get some photos of Petrels, and Albatros. Difficult with the heavy seas, wind and fast flights. Maybe a couple good ones amongst the bunch. 

Disney photographer gave a very basic photo presentation and some info on the use of cell phone camera. 

Dinner and called it a night. Dreams of a continent landing tomorrow.