Traveling with Storys: November 28, 2024 - Thursday

November 28, 2024 – Thursday Day 64 of this journey

Happy Thanksgiving

Explore Antarctica – Day 3 – Brown Station

And we have so very much to be thankful for.

We awoke this morning to a winter wonderland. Even though we are in the land of ice, we have not had snow. Clouds and mist and sun, but it is snowing this morning. We are up and out early enough that we were able to get shots of the accumulation on windows and the exterior decks. But there isn’t a breath of wind. Yea!

This is a photo of the bridge camera on our TV.
That is the bow and the floor is covered with snow.

Accumulation of snow on the Explorer's Lounge windows

The starboard side walking track.

The name of the game with true “expedition sailing” is flexibility. Conditions are constantly changing so plans need to be constantly changing. For over planners like us, it is a little bit of a challenge, but we are trying our hardest to roll with it.

We’ve got an early landing this morning and start adding layers to make sure we stay warm. It is a short ride to the landing area. We crawl out of the zodiac onto the shore. There are so many staff there to help you. They never let go of you. They have cut steps into the snow and hand you ski poles to help you along.

This is Base Brown. An Argentinian base. Now only used
a few weeks a year.

The madhouse in the zodiac loading area.

As we landed, Pablo greeted us and explained that the path was very uneven and slippery as well as a fairly steep climb. He suggested that this was a strenuous trek, and you should consider carefully whether you wanted to do it. They have set up a flag nearby that you can take photos with. He said if we wanted to do the photo thing and then return to the ship, that would be fine.

That was our choice as well as several other people. A short visit, but we did set foot on our 7^th continent. Our driver pulled the zodiac in near the penguins, so we were able to see them. And then we were cozy as can be back on the ship.

Gentoo Penguins

Looking back at a zodiac unloading at the landing sight.

Neat small iceberg

In the afternoon, we were scheduled for a SOB ride. We are getting faster at suiting up in all the layers. We’ve only got a few more days before we head north again. We’ll get the hang of it about the time the journey is over.

It is a pleasant ride. Judith is our guide, and we putter through the bay looking for wildlife. We see a few penguins and other birds, but no whales or seals. When we were in the Chilean fjords, the SOB drivers liked to drive at higher speeds which is a lot of fun. Here, they can’t do that because of the amount of ice in the water. They really have to pick their way through the constantly moving ice. The icebergs are fascinating. Each one unique in how the water and wind have sculpted it. We did see a glacier calve and it was very interesting to watch how the resulting tsunami tossed around the icebergs and other chunks of ice in the water.

Ice Sculptures

More than likely, this berg recently rolled over

A glacier that is probably actively calving.
The rough texture shows lots of movement.

As you see things in clouds, you see things in icebergs.
We didn't know they had iguanas in Antarctica.

But this is definitely the head of an iguana

We were back to the room in time to shower before going to the Daily Briefing. Pablo explained a little about how expedition ships in Antarctica get permission to stop in any location. Weather is a huge factor on where you end up going. Our Continental landing worked well today. And it is the only opportunity we will have for a landing on the Continent.

Pablo had a surprise for us. Our next stop is very close by, but weather is good, so there is time to take a side trip to Lemaire Channel. It has been nicknamed “Kodak Gap” and is a bucket list for most itineraries in the Antarctic. It is a channel between an island and the peninsula. Only 11 k long and at its narrowest point 600 meters wide. It is lined with steep cliffs on both sides and is often filled with icebergs. We should be there about 8:30 pm this evening and Viking will be providing hot toddies.

We are usually in bed by this time, but it sounds worthy. We found seats in the Explorer’s Lounge after dinner and settled in. We’ve got lots of daylight as the sun doesn’t set until 11:30ish pm. It also rises about 3:00 am. It is very dramatic scenery. We get most of the way through the passage before turning the ship around and heading back the way we came.

Another amazing day.

The trip to Lemaire Channel: