Fish Island, Pack Ice
Whilst
we were sleeping soundly in our comfy beds, Captain Yuri was at the helm
navigating his way through watery fields of convoluted ice mazes through the
night and into early morning. Our Captain and his officers barely slept whilst
manoeuvring our sturdy little ship further south, and we are ever appreciative
of their efforts.
When
the breakfast call came, we opened our eyes to the dazzling blue of Crystal
Sound and not a hint of Ice jigsaw puzzle that had slowed our shop could be
seen. To the Portside the shores of the Antarctica shimmered in their soft site
undulating beauty whilst we sailed by ice burgs shaped like castles. Mid
morning we gathered on the bow to mark our crossing the Antarctic Circle at 66
deg33.6 S. with the assistance of Christian we counted down the seconds. The ships
horn blasted as we toasted with a glass of bubbles.
Photos
all round as we bathed in the precious Antarctic sun. After lunch we stepped
ashore Detaille Island on the former British Research Station, known as “Base
W” proved to be a fascinating glimpse into station life in the 1950s. Having
been abandoned in 1958, it is a well preserved time capsule, illuminating what
British scientists might have ate, read and lived. The vistas surrounding the
island we’re breathtaking. On a nearby rocky outcrop we spotted a colony of
Adelie penguins marching up and down the slopes looking busy and the waddled to
a fro.
Back
on board the call was made to those brave souls to partake in the Polar plunge.
Eighteen of our intrepid lot took to the icy waters of the Antarctic, whilst
the rest of us looked on in wonder. In the evening we dropped anchor in the
surrounding sea ice. What a simply marvellous day in the Antarctica.
I,
Lyn Taylor, having Crossed the Antarctic Circle, which separates day from
night, and marks a unique portal into the Antarctic
Cheers
Lyn