Sunshine and flat seas. We are slowly sailing into Esperanza base. Nice morning light for photos up on deck 8.
Decided to do breakfast in the Rockhopper Restaurant.
Wonderful sleep even with a bit of rocking and rolling of the seas first up. It was calmer when we turned into Antarctic Sound. We ended up in Hope Bay off the Esperanza station. This is an Argentinian all civilian base. It has a medical centre, which Howard was visiting for some assessment of an injury he had sustained after a fall at Port Charcot. He exacerbated something by bumping a table and has been out or action for 24 hours. He was assessed by Dr Sophia and a passenger who is a doctor.
Lecture at 9.30 with Julia.
INTELLIGENCE AND SOCIAL INTERACTIONS OF WHALES AND DOLPHINS
From whaling to dolphins and orcas in captivity – lots of negative aspects.
Positive- cooperative interactions. Fishing, whale watching
Two films to watch. Blackfish and The Cove.
Following the lecture we learned that tests had established that Howard had a broken rib and not a damaged spleen as had been suspected. All was well and now we make our way to Brown Bluff.
We had our landing kaiboshed by the swell that made landing on the beach too dangerous. So zodiac cruise was the alternative and we were on a photography cruise with Max again.
We cruised along the coast of Brown Bluff. There were humongous ice cliffs, some icebergs, many little bergy bits washed up on the black beach. There were penguins and seals and birds. We saw a couple of leopard seals who hunt here because the penguin chicks are learning to swim.
We were super lucky to be quite close to a calving of the ice cliff – Phil caught it on video. We had watched a couple of bits of ice fall off so Phil was watching as we moved along the cliff.
On return to ship we encountered a whole bunch of Gentoo Penguins porpoising through the water. Today we had put our big lenses on and holding them still in the swells and moving zodiac was a huge challenge.
A couple of hours later we returned to ship for late lunch followed by some time for our last looks at Antarctica. We were also called up to front deck for group photo.
Then another lecture from Vicky on the Challenges of Antarctic conservation at Port Lockroy. Followed by cocktails and canapés and the…
RECAP/PRECAP
Jonathan- history
Max – 60 second Photography tip
Panoramic Multiple Exposure
HOWARD
Thanks for concern.
Thanks to Leo – ultrasound at Esperanza. Special invitation as stations are closed.
Thanks to everyone for patience and understanding the blip in schedule and visit to Hope Bay.
Nordinskold expedition rivals Shackleton.
Sailing next couple of days. One storm cell has passed, the other is coming, tomorrow passed South Shetlands and into the Drake. The captain has plotted a wonderful course. No worse than Bransfield which we’ve done.
Sth. Georgia – 26th.
Over next couple of days – whales/birds around Sth Orkneys.
Followed by dinner and a Fireside Chat with Russell sharing his kayak adventure from Brazil to Florida. Then bed.
We need to select a photo for the competition before lunch tomorrow so will head to cabin to grab something quickly.
Next two and half days are sea days so some downtime to be filled.
Travel adventures with Nicola & co. 