Every landing we make is different. Today, December 29th (is that Saturday…?), we landed on Deception Island in the morning. This is the top of a collapsed volcano or ‘caldera’ so it is circular in shape – but it does have a break in the circle where the ship can get in. It is very sheltered and has previously been home to a whaling station. This time the landing was not about wildlife but rather a chance to wonder at the geology and scenery and take in the views. We undertook a walk lasting about 90 minutes around a ridge with some steep(ish) climbs. Underfoot it was quite pleasant, a carpet of volcanic ash. The wind blew a bit, especially on the tops, and we were glad of the many layers of thermal gear that we have invested in.
The island is totally arid with no plant life so the scenery is a bit like the penguins – black and white…
The afternoon landing was on tiny Astrolabe Island. Penguins were to the fore again – Adelie, Chinstrap and Gentoo all living in close proximity. There were also a few Weddell and Fur seals. They generally just lay about sleeping when on land – but this Weddell seal decided to smile for the camera and do a bit of acrobatics.
The extra on this landing was that instead of the Polar Cirkel boat taking us back to the ship it made a detour among the large ice floes in the bay where penguins and seals were sitting and around small rocky islets where cormorants, gulls and terns were nesting. Ice crunches under the boat and occasionally you get a get a face full of spray to keep you awake.
Another good day and tomorrow we land on the mainland – so that will really will be Antarctica.
That's one wacky Weddell! Great photo (again!)
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