Pleneau Island and Yalour Islands

Leaving the Lemaire Channel behind  the World Navigator held position off Pleneau Island. As we approached  the Island's "beach," a flock of  Antarctic Shags took flight.

                                 Antarctic Shags

 

                    World Navigator from Pleneau Island.  

After lunch with the World Navigator positioned near the Yalour Islands, we boarded Zodiacs to land on somewhat flat island. Nevertheless upon reaching the island, , a short walk across a rocky beach and a few snow steps awaited us along with Adelie Penguins.   

                                                  Yalour Islands

 

                                                 Adelie Penguin

                                         The Penguin Slide

Really cute Adele penguins are a true Arctic species.  They waddled up the hill and slid down on their bellies.  Sometimes, they even slid UP the hill by flapping their flippers and somehow pushing their bodies.  They don’t seem to be bothered by humans at all and we stay well back from them.  The cruise company is very careful about us washing our boots before and after setting foot on Arctic land so that no germs or anything else bad could infiltrate this special environment.  And, there is absolutely no trash (tissues, wrappers, etc.) that can litter anywhere.  We leave it pristine as we found it.

                                       Back Down the Snow Steps

We also saw some 2-month- old baby “kelp gull” babies on a rock ledge.  They are balls of down and very cute.  This is the time that all the babies are growing rapidly before it turns cold next month.  Many of the species of birds and penguins feed from krill in the water that is very plentiful here.

Lemaire Channel

 Our captain motored dead slow through the Lemaire Channel, one of the most poplar tourists destinations in Antarctica.   He had told us that ice might block the way and that we might not reach our next destination, Pleneau Island.  

As we motored through the channel, I had my doubts; all I could see ahead was ice.  We were fortunate  to transit the channel under a clear, bright and blue sky. 

                                      There she blows!  

   

                                                            Looking Back

We made it through! Every moment offered a  stunning view and a great photo opportunity.

Antarctica - Moving South

 January 19 - We moved south to a position off ice-covered Guepratte 
Island. In the morning we cruised around to get up close and personal with icebergs and enjoy another seal photo op.

The guests are very diverse and the age range seems to be from 30 to 80.  Last night we ate dinner with Debbie and Dave from Ithaca, NY, a very nice couple about our age.  It seems that this cruise self selects for adventuresome people.  Many like us are excited to attain the dream of visiting their 7^th continent. Many have been all over the world and are well traveled. So far, this cruise has been super.  It is certainly comparable with Viking but at a lesser price but great value.

 

After our Zodiac cruise, we moved to a position off Danco Island.  Many of the guests climbed a zig-zag trail through snow to the top of the island.  Joanne and I wimped out.  In the evening we moved along to 64 degrees 49.88 minutes South, 63 degrees 31.36 minutes West where about a dozen guests went ashore to  bury themselves in snow for the night. It's called  "camping."  

Danco Island

                                Near Danco Island

Campers Dug into the Snow After Dinner

Two Boats Dwarfed by Ice