A-N-T-A-R-C-T-I-C-A

We left the Falklands late in the afternoon of December 3rd heading south across the Scotia Sea and the notorious Drake Passage.  We experienced heavy seas for over a day to arrive at the seventh continent -- a vast, roughly circular area of 5.4 million square miles mostly covered by ice and snow.  The continental United States can fit inside the continent of Antarctica.  The native population is ZERO.  Antarctica is a continent, not a country.  It is not owned by any other country.  It is governed by the Antarctic Treaty which was signed by 12 nations in 1959.  Other countries have joined since then.  The treaty provides for the peaceful use of the region; freedom of scientific investigation; the freezing of territorial claims; protection of wildlife; and the banning of military activities, nuclear explosions and waste disposal.  It is truly a pristine place.

Antarctica differs from the Arctic in that the Arctic consists of seas surrounded by continents, whereas Antarctica is a continent surrounded by seas.  It is totally isolated -- no land mammals at all.  The wildlife consists of birds and sea mammals only.

As we sail south, there is an area referred to as the "convergence" where the warmer waters of the north meet the colder waters of the south and the color of the ocean changes, air and sea temperatures plummet and the first icebergs are spotted.  This occurs at latitude 55 degrees south.  At this point, we have entered the true boundaries of Antarctica.

We are so fortunate to be here and to  get to experience the environment in this way.  Under the Antarctic Treaty, only ships carrying less than 500 passengers are allowed to take the passengers to shore.  Larger cruise ships visit the area, but we are lucky enough to go ashore (weather permitting).
The cool thing about our visit, is that there is a tentative itinerary for 6 stops in Antarctica, but we may not be able to follow that schedule due to ice and wind conditions so every day is an adventure.  Of course, there are no ports.  The ship will seek calm, protected bays to drop anchor.  The expedition team will then launch Zodiacs and check out the conditions and advise the Bridge Team whether it is safe to stay at that location and to take passengers out.  Each day as the sun rises, we standby waiting to see what the day holds for us.  Our first planned stop will be Half Moon Island in the South Shetlands.

Sprays over our 5th Deck balcony from rough seas of
the Drake Passage

Brian tries out his cold weather gear and life
jacket - several layers required for going ashore

Hooray, my first iceberg

Massive iceberg
Only a fraction of it shows above the waterline

Another view of the iceberg

We will attempt 6 stops in the area of the South Shetland Islands and along the Antarctic Peninsula
(top of map)