Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
Kevin's Travels
- Blog
-
Location Date Europe 1489276800 South America 1486684800 Antarctica 
1486339200 Asia 1475881200 Africa 1399158000 North America 1383868800 Oceania 1381186800 - Antarctica
-
Location Date Deception Island
1486339200 Paradise Harbour 1486252800 Port Lockroy 1486166400 Neko Harbour 1486080000 Penguin Island 1485993600
Today was the final day in Antarctica. After a wake up call and breakfast, we entered the caldera of Deception Island, anchored up and landed ashore.
Being geothermal, the island was almost barren of wildlife. Being much more rocky and with almost no snow compared to our previous landing sights. Nevertheless there were many points to view over the caldera, and after a short walk we arrived back at the beach for the Polar Plunge.
I certainly was not going to take part in this, but half the group did - stripping down into swimwear or nudity and then racing into the sea. The geothermal heat warms this part of the sea from around -1 to 1C, and this chilly temperature was clearly visible on many of people's faces.
After that experience, we then headed back to the ship for lunch, whilst the ship left the caldera and headed towards Hannah Point on Livingstone Island in the South Shetlands.
This would be our last landing point, and we weren't to be disappointed! After enjoying perfect weather for the last few days, we landed to find huge penguin colonies covering the entire area.
Upon arrival, the G Adventures flags caused complete bewilderment amongst the penguins, and then with all the tourists landing on shore they simply didn't know what to do.
After a little walk around the area, I sat down and attempted to get a penguin selfie. With curious penguins coming over to see what I was or simply running past ignoring my presence.
At one point a group of chasing penguins literally ran into some people's legs, falling over and then trying to work out what to do next! What an experience!
After a few hours soaking up the last of these unforgettable landing experiences I headed back to ship for the day's review and then dinner.
As tonight was the last evening in Antarctica, we celebrated by having a fancy dress contest. However as I turned up too late to get a costume I didn't join in. Nevertheless the turnout was pretty high - including our Aussie friends as The Jackson Five (Minus 3), Cameron in drag and funniest of all - Gary, the stripper penguin.
After a really enjoyable evening I then headed up to the bar with the group for drinks with the crew band, before finally calling it a night.
What a great way to end the Antarctic adventure. And yet there were still two whole days on the ship to come!
Being geothermal, the island was almost barren of wildlife. Being much more rocky and with almost no snow compared to our previous landing sights. Nevertheless there were many points to view over the caldera, and after a short walk we arrived back at the beach for the Polar Plunge.
I certainly was not going to take part in this, but half the group did - stripping down into swimwear or nudity and then racing into the sea. The geothermal heat warms this part of the sea from around -1 to 1C, and this chilly temperature was clearly visible on many of people's faces.
After that experience, we then headed back to the ship for lunch, whilst the ship left the caldera and headed towards Hannah Point on Livingstone Island in the South Shetlands.
This would be our last landing point, and we weren't to be disappointed! After enjoying perfect weather for the last few days, we landed to find huge penguin colonies covering the entire area.
Upon arrival, the G Adventures flags caused complete bewilderment amongst the penguins, and then with all the tourists landing on shore they simply didn't know what to do.
After a little walk around the area, I sat down and attempted to get a penguin selfie. With curious penguins coming over to see what I was or simply running past ignoring my presence.
At one point a group of chasing penguins literally ran into some people's legs, falling over and then trying to work out what to do next! What an experience!
After a few hours soaking up the last of these unforgettable landing experiences I headed back to ship for the day's review and then dinner.
As tonight was the last evening in Antarctica, we celebrated by having a fancy dress contest. However as I turned up too late to get a costume I didn't join in. Nevertheless the turnout was pretty high - including our Aussie friends as The Jackson Five (Minus 3), Cameron in drag and funniest of all - Gary, the stripper penguin.
After a really enjoyable evening I then headed up to the bar with the group for drinks with the crew band, before finally calling it a night.
What a great way to end the Antarctic adventure. And yet there were still two whole days on the ship to come!
- comments