1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour #500 - Humpback Whales, Antarctica

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour After Remission #500

- Humpback whales and wild life, Antarctica

 

 

 

(The Antarctic wildlife was never far away from us, with every onshore landing or cruise we took on the zodiac. Our biggest highlight was, of course, the humpback whales, especially the one that came close to our anchored ship and gave such loud thumpings of the sea with his huge fluke. We even received the right to name it from a whale organisation because it was never identified before - we names it "White Lightning". We could hear him snorting too, with a bass sound that was vibrating our bodies - the hairs on the back our necks stood up. The leopard seals, the 2 penguin species that literally accompanies us - the Gentoos and the Chin-straps. They made this expedition trip here real, exhilarating and wild!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour #499 - Fort Point, Antarctica

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour After Remission #499

- Fort Point, Antarctica

 

 

(Our final onshore landing was at Fort Point, a lord-of-the-rings lookalike, with dramatic peaks jutting out from the seas. With bright sunshine hitting our backs, we felt very much at home. Huge round pebbles were spread all over the beach, making it difficult for the zodiacs to safely beach for the first time. We also manage to catch up with the intrepid "bivi camping lady", Grace, who will represents to us a lasting memory of how much more travelling we can enjoy in the years to come, if we keep fit and curious, like her)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour #498 - Telefon Bay, Antarctica

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour After Remission #498

- Telefon Bay, Antarctica

 

 

(The expedition crew decided to drop us beside an active volcano at Telefon Bay, one that last exploded with lava just 30 years ago. We started our hike up the volcano with the "Fast Group", thinking we could keep up wit the pace of these fit and younger guys. We soon realised we might be in the wrong group, but we pressed on and were rewarded with great views of this young volcano. The last chance for those on this expedition ship to have their "polar plunge" was presented here by this black sandy beach. We were surprised that so many decided to take the plunge - and mostly girls too! Would we have done it too? Nope - we didn't want to risk falling sick, with a long 40hr flight back awaiting us)