Rongé Island (-64.7166670, -62.6833329) /

Orne Islands (-64.6017467, -62.5149160)

We feel we are well into the swing and living the dream on this magical cruise to Antarctica. Very few places have attained 'magical' status for us. Hot air ballooning in Cappadocia, Aguas Calientes in Peru (at the base of Machu Picchu) and just a few others. Antarctica is just a standout in all respects.

Today we made our morning landing at Rongé Island at George Point at the northern tip. We're definitely back above the Polar Circle / 66 degrees south now, with today's spot at 64 degrees 40 minutes south and 62 degrees 40 minutes west. Rongé was a (very) rocky beach landing and there was no polar plunge today as the rocks underfoot are just too sharp. Today was Gentoo and Chinstrap penguins - we are collecting our different breeds for sure. We are getting a bit tired of being dripping wet after the return to the ship (but do so love the ease of good photos from the front of the zodiacs…) so have worn extra waterproof pants and our heavy-duty jackets. The forecast was for a 'feels like' of -7. Since we had rugged up it was of course not strictly necessary as it was a very still day. The landing was very pooey and very Gentoo-y. Saw one little penguin fellow sitting on his egg assiduously. Home for lunch - and the ship definitely feels like home.

The afternoon outing was cruising and rough today - hanging on for dear life as we bashed about the Orne Islands and finally got to see chinstrap penguins. This is the first closeup we've had of these guys who do indeed look very miltaristic with their little 'helmets' - in a Monty Python kind of way. Super cute. As much fun as cruising usually is - especially on still, icy days, today was hard work - but worth it for the chinstraps.