A good nights sleep, but still not feeling 100%. Woken by
Gary’s wake up call and announcement that breakfast would be followed by
vacuuming of our outer gear. Prior to breaky we both went up to the bridge to
get some fresh air and a breaky of toast and vegemite went down really well.
Thirty minutes later we were onto the Zodiacs for our first landing – Gourdin
Island to view the penguins.
Getting geared up is bit of chore, and not done quickly,
there are layers upon layers, plus camera gear and spares to take, then the
lifejacket and gloves, by the time this is done it feels like you are going to
cook, so quickly up the stairs, to the tag board, to turn our tags to ‘off’.
Then out on the bow to sterilise boots, before clambering down the gangplank
and stepping into a bouncing zodiac, with the help of a Russian crew member and
an Aurora staff member on the zodiac.
As we neared Gourdin Island, we could smell the penguins
before we hit the rocks, it wasn’t unbearable in the windy conditions.
There were thousands of penguins, some resting, some with
chicks, some attracting mates. It was all just out of this world.
Upon landing, we put life jackets in the bag and await a
briefing about the island and what to look for, what to do and what not to do.
Having been asked to stay 5 metres away from wildlife, it is
impossible, only the photos can tell the story and maybe not even then.
It was cold out today, wind and overcast so we only lasted
90 minutes (Rob had measured the temp, it was -1, with -8 wind chill) but it
was fabulous. A bit of a worry that we were so cold, how could we last the
distance…
The Island had 3 species of penguin, Gentoo, Chinstrap and
Adelie – all cohabiting the rocks and ice.
On return to the ship we spotted a leopard seal on an
iceberg so our guide Gary detoured by for a look.
Back to ship for lunch, then a rest and snooze as conditions
weren’t great, the ship moves to a new spot for the afternoon and we attend a lecture
from Alan on birds and penguins, it is a battle to say awake in a warm room
with a rocking boat.
At 6.00 we were invited to the bar for Captains drinks and
nibbles. They were great, sushi, prawns, cheese platters etc, plus a lovely
alcoholic punch.
Off to dinner then once we hear the anchor dropped, there is
an announcement from Gary that we have half an hour to be ready to go out
again, this time for a zodiac cruise around Astrolabe Island – despite the
cold. We saw more penguins and quite a few seals, fur seal and several Weddell
seals. Back to the ship at 9.45. Another great day, buggered and ready for bed,
but not before 12pm.
Hard to get used to this everlasting daylight,
it never actually gets dark.
Iceberg
Chinstrap penguin
L-R - Adelie, Gentoo, Adelie, Chinstrap.
Having a bit of a 'to do' about something.
Cute fella, looking so handsome, just standing there.
Captains drinks at the bar. L-R - Gary (expedition Leader) and Captain Yuri.
A gentoo, looking out over the bay full of icebergs.
Mary, all dressed up and ready to go. Boots are dipped in steriliser and we line up to await the zodiac.
Our dessert, the meringue resembling Icebergs, it was very clever and tasted great too.
Gary and Leanne, coming back in from a trip.
All abourd the zodiac. Mary and Margaretha I think
Here is our crew for the day, ably steered by Dr John, the ship's doctor. All the staff turned their hand to whatever needed doing, including dishes etc.
A Cape Petrel, also known as Pintado Petrel. These buggers flew around the boat in droves.
A leopard seal. Lazing on his/her iceberg.
A little bergy bit, blocking our return to the gangplank. They lifted the gangplank so it could sail past.
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