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Falkland Islands
Albatross photo by Massimo Bassano of Albatross ExpeditionsBarn on West Point IslandRockhopper Penguin in the Tussock Grass
The tiny Albatross baby in the foreground looking smug after squirting all over the Penguin behind him.King Penguins on Saunders IslandColorful homes on Stanley Island
South Georgia
King Penguins in South GeorgiaKing Penguin colonyKing PenguinsBaby Elephant Seal and a King PenguinPenguin colony in Right Whale Bay, South GeorgiaFur seal in the tussock grassYoung Elephant Seals playing in the water with a glacier in the background in St. Andrews BaySt Andrews BaySt Andrews Bay
Stromness Whaling Station
Abandoned whaling stationSouth Georgia Island on the horizon. Yes, it was freezing cold without my coat for this picture.A wet landing in South Georgia. Photo was taken by Massimo Bassano from Albatros Expeditions
Antarctica
Deception Island
Part of the Chinstrap Penguin RookeryA busy Chinstrap Penguin on his way to the sea
That evening, our ship navigated into the seawater-filled crater of Deception Island, sailing around inside the active volcano.Skua hunting for penguin eggsSea ice and icebergs in the waters of AntarcticaSea Ice and Icebergs in AntarcticaGlacier in Paradise BayMassive IcebergBlue IceSea ice and ice burgs in the waters of AntarcticaSea Ice in AntarcticaIceberg in AntarcticaIceberg in AntarcticaBoarding the zodiacs
Paradise Bay
Brown Argentina Base and Research Station on AntarcticaClear glacial ice in the bayLeopard Seal in the bay we were to swimLeopard SealOrcas by Massimo Bassano of Albatross Expeditions
The People
“The Arctic Tern is so beautiful and graceful yet feisty. It is the only bird that will go up against the polar bears” -Michael Scotting Photo also captured by Michael ScottingFrom Left to right: Pete, Carole, Sarah, Kirsten, Bonnie, Vivian, Charlotte, and Peter.Nils, The Viking, a man of iron in a world of plasticCarol at the top of the ladder that was forbidden to go up. Peter and Carol had just the right amount of mischievousness mixed with humor.My wonderful roommate Vivian and me on a warm summer day in Antarctica. We stayed up too late a few times talking and laughing about travel, spreadsheets, and life in general.David Reid and Bonnie Truax
BONUS: Here David Reid below spake about one of his adventures in the Arctic.
Retired from Corporate America at the age of 43 along with her husband Trinity. In 2016 they sold their home to begin a nomadic life of slow travel. Bonnie writes of their experience on the road in each country. Subscribe to follow her stories here.
10 thoughts on “Antarctic”
Jackie
Another great blog about Antarctica. Absolutely loved the pictures and great food for thought! Looking at something through somebody else’s eyes can really change how we see things – good or bad – depending on how that person sees things.
Penguins have always been one of my favorite animals. So far I have only seen them in zoos, which is definitely not the same. The pictures of them here and on South Georgia were amazing!
How was the boat trip across the open waters? We have a friend that often talks about going (we travel together a lot), but I always freeze up at the idea of the boat trip as I have heard it can be quite rough and we don’t do well in those situations at all.
We were very fortunate to have excellent weather for our entire trip. We experienced what is called the Drake Lake. Often, however, the Drake Passage is more like the Drake Shake and it can get quite rough. I was actually a little disappointed to not experience the Drake power, but the entire crew told me that I really didn’t want to experience it.
Not sure I can say a rough passage would be worth it since I didn’t experience that, but personally it would be totally worth the risk. If you take a longer cruise that goes to South Georgia first then you limit your time on the Drake passage as you would miss most of it on the way down by going around it.
Either way, I encourage you to go. We booked our trip through Freestyle Adventure. They gave us the best deal we could find.
I love your pictures. I just got back from an Antarctica cruise on February 3 and we also had awesome weather. We left from Buenos Aires, Ushuaia, Around the Horn, Paradise Bay, Elephant Island, Faulkland Islands, Uraguay, YES the Drake Shake is real– we sailed around a storm, and it still felt like Lieutenant Dan on top of the Shrimp boat. (Loved it all!)
Your trip sounds amazing! I wish we could have experienced the shake, but everyone tells me I really don’t want to 🙂 Did you find the shake exciting to go through?
Another great blog about Antarctica. Absolutely loved the pictures and great food for thought! Looking at something through somebody else’s eyes can really change how we see things – good or bad – depending on how that person sees things.
I agree with you. The people we hang around impact how we see the world.
Penguins have always been one of my favorite animals. So far I have only seen them in zoos, which is definitely not the same. The pictures of them here and on South Georgia were amazing!
How was the boat trip across the open waters? We have a friend that often talks about going (we travel together a lot), but I always freeze up at the idea of the boat trip as I have heard it can be quite rough and we don’t do well in those situations at all.
Dragon Guy
We were very fortunate to have excellent weather for our entire trip. We experienced what is called the Drake Lake. Often, however, the Drake Passage is more like the Drake Shake and it can get quite rough. I was actually a little disappointed to not experience the Drake power, but the entire crew told me that I really didn’t want to experience it.
Not sure I can say a rough passage would be worth it since I didn’t experience that, but personally it would be totally worth the risk. If you take a longer cruise that goes to South Georgia first then you limit your time on the Drake passage as you would miss most of it on the way down by going around it.
Either way, I encourage you to go. We booked our trip through Freestyle Adventure. They gave us the best deal we could find.
Wow!!! What an amazing experience! The photos are breathtaking!! I loved Ushuaia and hope to return one day to visit Antarctica!
Thank you! I hope you get the opportunity to go as well. It is an amazing place.
I love your pictures. I just got back from an Antarctica cruise on February 3 and we also had awesome weather. We left from Buenos Aires, Ushuaia, Around the Horn, Paradise Bay, Elephant Island, Faulkland Islands, Uraguay, YES the Drake Shake is real– we sailed around a storm, and it still felt like Lieutenant Dan on top of the Shrimp boat. (Loved it all!)
Your trip sounds amazing! I wish we could have experienced the shake, but everyone tells me I really don’t want to 🙂 Did you find the shake exciting to go through?
Perfecto post!
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