SouthAmerica/AntarcticaCruise: Antarctica

With great anticipation we woke to an early sunrise on Saturday, December 5th as we heard the ship's anchor being lowered for our first stop in Antarctica at Half Moon Island. This spot is one of the most beautiful sites in the South Shetlands. A large active Chinstrap Penguin colony (over 3,000 breeding pairs) is the main attraction. It is next to the larger glacier covered Livingston Island which provides a panoramic scenic wonderland.

First stop in Antarctica
Approaching Half Moon Island

Breathtaking Beauty

The Expedition Team and ship's crew had a great day planned for us -- weather and conditions permitting. The passengers were divided up into 5 groups and each group was assigned a color. We were assigned to the Blue Group. Each color group was assigned a time for going ashore on the Zodiacs. When the Blue Group was called we reported to the staging area fully dressed to go out for the day where the temperature was about 28 degrees. "Fully dressed" means thermal underwear, second warm layer, waterproof pants, parkas, warm socks, gloves and life jackets (no tee shirts or flip-flops used here). At the staging area located at the back of the ship, we donned our waterproof boots that were stored in our assigned locker. After that, we were ready to board the Zodiacs in groups of 14. Before leaving the ship, we were required to step our boots into a tub of disinfectant to insure that we did not carry any germs or debris ashore with us. That disinfectant procedure is a requirement of the Antarctic Treaty.

Zodiacs waiting to load us from the ship

Smooth landing on Half Moon Island

We launched in the Zodiac from the ship and zoomed across the bay to the shoreline of Half Moon Island where members of the Expedition Team waited to assist us. They pointed out the sites and explained the wildlife and ice features to us as we trekked around exploring the area for about 90 minutes. There was a large colony of Chinstrap Penguins (see pictures below) nesting on the shore. The "Chinstrap" Penguin is called so because of the distinctive thin curved line of black feathers that runs down and under the chin. Although small in size, they are known as the most aggressive species of penguins. They were busy tending their nests and traveling back and forth from their nests and the sea to feed. They waddle, fall down, stagger back up, crawl and belly slide to their destinations. They are loud and smelly and absolutely hilarious. They are so entertaining we could watch them all day long.

Penguin highway down the slope
from the nests to the sea
The brown streaks are Penguin poop (yuck!)

Chinstrap Penguin (aptly named)

Chinstrap Penguins are so cute

Weddell seal rests on the shoreline

Love that face!

When our Blue Group time was up, we loaded back into the Zodiac and zoomed back to the ship so the next color group could go out. Again, we disinfected our boots and returned them to our lockers. We warmed up on the ship, then went back out for a kayak trip. We changed into tight fitting "dry suits", loaded into a Zodiac from which we got into a kayak for a 2 hour paddle amongst the glaciers, icebergs and wildlife. Again, while paddling we saw penguins, sea birds and seals. It was an amazing day!