Day 8 – 3/1/13 – Danco Island, Errera Channel.

The blog is getting so hard to write, there is just so much we do, jam packed into each day that I can’t find the time to write it down, let alone capture the amazing adventure we are having.

Selecting a few photos for the blog is just impossible, as there are so many. I will do my best to outline what we did and include a few pictures that are part of that story, they wont’ be the best or most appropriate, as I just don’t have the time to sort them out here.

1.       Landing at Danco Island, an opportunity to go ashore again and spend time with penguins, and walk to the top of the Island for a 360 degree view, The mountains are huge, like chocolate ripple cake with cream on top.

a.       This was followed by a Zodiac cruise around the bay, the highlight was coming across some humpback whales who were happy to play with our zodiac, swimming near and even UNDER us a couple of times, think I have some good shots of that, if not, just seeing them within 2 metres was out of this world. Such big creatures, but totally gentle with us in our Zodiac. These two guys were just toying with us, thanks to Robyn our Zodiac driver we just hung with them for ages.

2.       After a yummy Zucchini Frittata and chickpea salad for lunch, we sorted some photos in the bar for a while then up to the bridge for fantastic 360 views of the Gerlache and Nuemayer straits. The ice capped mountains look like chocolate ripple cake (thanks Gay for the analogy) and passed the highest point on the Antarctic peninsula – Francais Mtn, with Mt Luigi (commonly referred to as Snow White and the 7 dwarves)

3.       We hit the Errera channel – filled with stunning icebergs and dwarfed on both side by amazing mountains partially covered in snow and capped with an ice cap.

a.       We saw 3 humpbacks sleeping, basically floating and blowing their blowholes every now and then, there is just something to see every minute and second and 360 degrees, it is exhilarating and exhausting at the same time.

4.       Port Lockroy – we had an opportunity to visit Port Lockroy, it is a restored British scientific station which now carries out a bit of research re: penguins and tourist visitor impact, as well as having the ONLY post office in Antarctica and a SHOP, this was pretty unique, so we purchased a few bits and pieces. IT was also fascinating to see how the scientists etc lived back in the day, when the stayed all year round etc. A nice piece of history.

a.       This was followed by another Zodiac cruise around to land at Jougla point which housed an old whaling station and still had remnants of a whale, laid out almost anatomically correctly, also saw more seals. There were Blue Eyed Cormorants, nesting here. It got a bit cold and windy here as we’d dressed for shopping at Port Lockeroy. This was putting second thoughts in our minds about camping on the ice tonight given the windy conditions.

b.      After a bit more time sailing back in the Gerlache and Neumayer straits, we pulled into Leith Cove – which was still as a mill pond, looked very favourable for camping. After a delicious late dinner of lamb shanks and roast vegies, we headed off to get ready for night on the ice. It was about 11pm when we headed out to a little island dressed warmly in many layers. Upon arrival we received a down sleeping bag and foam hiking mat. We had to ‘carve’ out our beds directly in the snow/ice. Luckily only about half the group went camping, so we got two foam mats and two sleeping bags

 A view somewhere along the way today. Mary and I on the flybridge. Check out how flat and calm the water is.

 Sleeping humpbacks, 3 of them, one doing a 'blow'

 Two gentoos, struggling to stay upright, coming down a steep, slippery, icy slope.

  A view from Danco Island back to ship.

 Two zodiacs, at the base of Danco Island, behind an outcrop filled with Penguins. We had a bit of clim to the top here. We could hear and sometimes see whales blowing in the bay.

 Gillian bum sliding down from part way up the Danco Island climb, it certainly was easier than walking the steep slopes.

 That icy waterfall, is actually ice falling down the rockface, I thought I was videoing it, but got a couple of shots instead. It lasted for a minute or so.

 Two Kelp Gulls and the Polar Pioneer.

 

 Two Gentoos, walking along towards the seas.

  Three little guys and such an amazing backdrop.

 The penguins look totally different in the water, here is a gentoo poking out in the water.

 A majestic iceberg, checkout the aqua blue water, this is the under the water part of iceberg extending out from the bit above the water.

 whale tail!!!

 whale head!!!

 Whale back and fin!!!

 Whale waving!!!

 A sheathbill on the lifeboat on PP.

 

 Mt. Luigi  or Snow White on the left plus the 7 dwarves.

 Gentoo at Port Lockeroy.

 Gentoo considering the water entry.

 Leopard seal, they look prehistoric when they open that mouth. Like something off Jurassic Park.

 The anatomically correct whale bones.

 Hi ho, hi ho, its off to ???? we go.

 A relaxed and sleeping Weddell.

 The ship at anchor.

 Penguins and cormorants with the PP in background.

 Incoming...cormorant, that is.

 Robyn at the helm of a zodiac.

 Loading up, Alan assisting passengers on board, Robyn waiting for the nex load.

Here we are on our little island, almost ready for camping...check out the reflected sunset...sort of. It doesn't ever get really dark at all. This was almost 11.30pm.