Day 14: Sunday, January 12th, 2014
Steps taken: 6,540
We arrived at Miami Airport early in the morning, and had to wait another six hours. We went through customs, said goodbye to Jessi and Lisa, and then wandered around.
We finally got on the plane, and I was looking forward to getting home, but there were a few mishaps left. The first was that since American Airlines (I really don't like to fly with them unless I have to.) didn't seat many groups together, many people played musical chairs. I switched seats with a pregnant woman so she could sit next to her husband. I didn't mind moving, but a good quarter of the plane tried switching seats. I've never seen that on such a bad level before. I spent the rest of the flight reading.
We finally got into La Guardia after a day and a half of travel. I really like G Adventures overall, but most of the travelers' flight plans seemed really convoluted. We got our bags after a half an hour of the standard BS. Is it all airlines? Two bags came off in the initial run and then nothing for another five minutes. Is that some kind of inside joke for baggage crews?
After we got our bags, we took a cab back to Scott's place. Well, close to Scott's place since the cabbie had no idea where he was going. We chilled for a bit, and then Dan and I said our goodbyes to Scott. We went to the nearby train, and that's where Dan and I parted ways. I took the train to Jamaica, and then home from there. It was nice to be home after such a rewarding, and unique adventure. To me, Antarctica is quite possibly the purest place in the world.
Written in March of 2014
Since the trip I've thought about and have been through several things. Some good and some bad. This semester that followed had been a roller-coaster for me in regards to stabilizing myself mentally, and financially from Antarctica. Regardless of being the most expensive trip I've ever taken, it has been the most incredible one as well. I was worried that my life had peaked with this excursion, but there are still many amazing things left to do, and astonishing places to see. Antarctica is a place that not many will see first hand, but I wish everyone could. I will leave this adventure with a quote from one of my favorite authors:
"Time weighs down on you like an old, ambiguous dream. You keep on moving, trying to slip through it. But even if you go to the ends of the earth, you won't be able to escape it. Still, you have to go there-to the edge of the world. There's something you can't do unless you get there."-Haruki Murakami from Kafka on the Shore.
Saturday, September 19, 2015
Leaving the End of the World.
Day 13: Saturday, January 11th, 2014
Steps taken: 6,066
At 7 I woke up, got cleaned up, finished packing, and went to the final breakfast. It was a pleasant yet somber meal not only because there was no omelette bar, but for the fact that everyone's paths were diverging again.
After breakfast, we left the MS Expedition and said our goodbyes to the crew, and the passengers that weren't immediately going to the airport. We walked around town for the next two hours, and then returned to the luggage station to head to the airport.
We arrived at the airport three hours before our flight was to leave, but it felt like double. First there was some inane problem with my ticket that I had to go to a service counter to get my tickets from Buenos Aires to home. We waited on line behind one person. That person in front of us who wanted to upgrade his ticket took half an hour because of computers malfunctioning and confused staff. Then the guy who told me to wait on the line told me not to bother and just get my tickets at the next airport. THANKS!
We wandered a bit talking to some of the snack shop owners before heading to the gates. We hung out with our fellow Expeditioners waiting for our plane. We kept watching for our boarding announcement at the gate we were supposed to board from, but after thirty minutes from when the plane was to take off there was nothing. I asked someone on a line forming near gate 3, and supposedly our plane was about to take off. Our plane was changed to gate 5 without a change on the monitors or a serious announcement being made. If it was made in Spanish I didn't hear out flight number. Neither did Scott or Dan. THANKS AGAIN!
We scrambled to the gate and were told the flight was waiting on us. That was sooooo nice of them. Ushuaia Airport, you're officially the worst airport in the world! Congratulations, Newark, you're no longer #1. We got on the plane and another passenger boarded a minute or two after us and then we took off immediately.
We arrived in Buenos Aires and had to play the waiting game...for six hours. As you can see I love waiting in airports, but again the airport shuffle was the worst part of the trip.
In the meantime, we conversed with the Expeditioners that were there, had dinner, and walked around the airport. The flight itself was okay. At least we knew when and where it was boarding!
Steps taken: 6,066
At 7 I woke up, got cleaned up, finished packing, and went to the final breakfast. It was a pleasant yet somber meal not only because there was no omelette bar, but for the fact that everyone's paths were diverging again.
After breakfast, we left the MS Expedition and said our goodbyes to the crew, and the passengers that weren't immediately going to the airport. We walked around town for the next two hours, and then returned to the luggage station to head to the airport.
We arrived at the airport three hours before our flight was to leave, but it felt like double. First there was some inane problem with my ticket that I had to go to a service counter to get my tickets from Buenos Aires to home. We waited on line behind one person. That person in front of us who wanted to upgrade his ticket took half an hour because of computers malfunctioning and confused staff. Then the guy who told me to wait on the line told me not to bother and just get my tickets at the next airport. THANKS!
We wandered a bit talking to some of the snack shop owners before heading to the gates. We hung out with our fellow Expeditioners waiting for our plane. We kept watching for our boarding announcement at the gate we were supposed to board from, but after thirty minutes from when the plane was to take off there was nothing. I asked someone on a line forming near gate 3, and supposedly our plane was about to take off. Our plane was changed to gate 5 without a change on the monitors or a serious announcement being made. If it was made in Spanish I didn't hear out flight number. Neither did Scott or Dan. THANKS AGAIN!
We scrambled to the gate and were told the flight was waiting on us. That was sooooo nice of them. Ushuaia Airport, you're officially the worst airport in the world! Congratulations, Newark, you're no longer #1. We got on the plane and another passenger boarded a minute or two after us and then we took off immediately.
We arrived in Buenos Aires and had to play the waiting game...for six hours. As you can see I love waiting in airports, but again the airport shuffle was the worst part of the trip.
In the meantime, we conversed with the Expeditioners that were there, had dinner, and walked around the airport. The flight itself was okay. At least we knew when and where it was boarding!
Re-crossing Drake's Passage.
Day 12: Friday, January 10th, 2014
Steps taken: 2,549
Last full day at sea. I awoke refreshed and vowed not to sleep the day away. I cleaned up and went to the Discovery Lounge before breakfast to witness the sailing around Cape Hope, Chile. I would have liked an excursion there afterwards, but it was still magnificent from the ship.
Breakfast was good as always, but I was hoping they brought back the omelette bar since I missed it the time or two they had it. Maybe at the last breakfast.
Right after breakfast we spotted some Peale's dolphins around the bough of the ship. I couldn't get any great pics or videos of them since they were too stealthy. Also, between breakfast and lunch were two lectures: one by Scott (crew) about early Cape Hope exploration, and another by Frank about his research on penguins and introducing them into captivity gently for study.
After the final lunch on the boat were several events. Scott talked about the differences between the Antarctic and Arctic trips. I definitely would like to do an Arctic expedition in the next ten years. One day I will proudly be bi-polar! (I know the other implication of that is very serious and not to be joked about.) After that, Osi discussed the 175 year history of women in the Antarctic.
Then it was the last congregation of the Brotherhood of the Broth. We partook while Parker put on a concert in the lounge.
The last dinner on the ship was just as amazing if not more so than previous nights. It was difficult deciding on course options except for dessert, which the main dessert was Baked Alaska. Everyone at our table had seconds after everyone else was served.
After dinner there was a fifteen person game of CAH because we obviously didn't get enough of being horrible in our downtime before this. It was really enjoyable and we scared anyone curious to see what our circle of haughtiness in the Discovery Lounge was all about.
By midnight we had gone through every white card almost twice, and called it a night. Satiated by wine, a chocolate walrus, and wicked connections I went to bed.
Steps taken: 2,549
Last full day at sea. I awoke refreshed and vowed not to sleep the day away. I cleaned up and went to the Discovery Lounge before breakfast to witness the sailing around Cape Hope, Chile. I would have liked an excursion there afterwards, but it was still magnificent from the ship.
Breakfast was good as always, but I was hoping they brought back the omelette bar since I missed it the time or two they had it. Maybe at the last breakfast.
Right after breakfast we spotted some Peale's dolphins around the bough of the ship. I couldn't get any great pics or videos of them since they were too stealthy. Also, between breakfast and lunch were two lectures: one by Scott (crew) about early Cape Hope exploration, and another by Frank about his research on penguins and introducing them into captivity gently for study.
After the final lunch on the boat were several events. Scott talked about the differences between the Antarctic and Arctic trips. I definitely would like to do an Arctic expedition in the next ten years. One day I will proudly be bi-polar! (I know the other implication of that is very serious and not to be joked about.) After that, Osi discussed the 175 year history of women in the Antarctic.
Then it was the last congregation of the Brotherhood of the Broth. We partook while Parker put on a concert in the lounge.
The last dinner on the ship was just as amazing if not more so than previous nights. It was difficult deciding on course options except for dessert, which the main dessert was Baked Alaska. Everyone at our table had seconds after everyone else was served.
After dinner there was a fifteen person game of CAH because we obviously didn't get enough of being horrible in our downtime before this. It was really enjoyable and we scared anyone curious to see what our circle of haughtiness in the Discovery Lounge was all about.
By midnight we had gone through every white card almost twice, and called it a night. Satiated by wine, a chocolate walrus, and wicked connections I went to bed.
Grargle Flargles.
Day 11: Thursday, January 9th, 2014
Steps taken: 1,532
I woke up around 6:30 after some not necessarily evil dreams unless dreaming about work is evil. I cleaned up and then read before breakfast. After breakfast I went to the cabin to read. After a chapter I zonked out.
I awoke to the lunch announcement. I ate lunch and was trying to eat lighter because of less activity. After lunch, more or less the same thing happened with reading and sleeping. I woke up to beef broth and snacks. Dinner was buffet style with Asian style dishes. The sweet and sour pork, and the cinnamon crusted fried bananas were excellent.
After dinner I swore I was going to not pass out again, but ten minutes before the showing of BBC's Frozen Planet part 5: 'Winter' I was feeling lethargic and slept until the next morning.
Steps taken: 1,532
I woke up around 6:30 after some not necessarily evil dreams unless dreaming about work is evil. I cleaned up and then read before breakfast. After breakfast I went to the cabin to read. After a chapter I zonked out.
I awoke to the lunch announcement. I ate lunch and was trying to eat lighter because of less activity. After lunch, more or less the same thing happened with reading and sleeping. I woke up to beef broth and snacks. Dinner was buffet style with Asian style dishes. The sweet and sour pork, and the cinnamon crusted fried bananas were excellent.
After dinner I swore I was going to not pass out again, but ten minutes before the showing of BBC's Frozen Planet part 5: 'Winter' I was feeling lethargic and slept until the next morning.
Supertraveler VS the Super Volcano!
Day 10: Wednesday, January 8th, 2014
Steps taken: 11,545
This was the last morning of excursions. The morning excursion was to Deception Island. It is an inactive super volcano. We hiked up the trail where there was a bowl shaped valley below. We trekked down around the valley and along the coast back towards the zodiacs. There were many penguins and seals along the coast. A few of us took some icicles that hung low from the heavy snow packed above the coast, and ate them. Best icicle I've ever had. (That's some high quality H2O.) We also pretended we were fighting avalanches. After we had our fun we took a zodiac back to the ship.
After lunch we had a little time to kill before the afternoon excursion. We relaxed until that point and then it was off to Yankee Harbor. Scott, Dan, and I walked along the rocky shores discussing infinite parallel universes. Were we similar in alternative universes? Radically different? Still alive? Maybe I'm actually a wolf in another dimension. Perhaps there is another universe where either I didn't have wanderlust or the need to travel as much as I have been doing in the past five years. Maybe there is a universe where Lydia decided on a life with me, and we traveled the world together. Whatever happened in other universes I am content with what I've decided and done with my life thus far in this universe.
As for Yankee Harbor itself, there were penguins as far as the eyes can see in some stretches. Many of them had their chicks hatch fairly recently. We had seen baby penguins before, but there were so many here. (Insert collective "Daaaaawwwwwwwwwwwww!" here.) After an hour or so, the cold was bothering me a bit, however I toughed it out for another hour because we had to make our final landing last.
We returned to beef broth and snacks. I showered and got into my dress clothes (sans dress shoes) in anticipation of the 'Black & White' events. Black & White dinner was blissful & wonderful. The appetizer was a choice between California rolls or mussels. I chose the mussels, but it was not an easy choice. We also had fish soup. For the main course I had steak. Dessert was black & white mocha cake.
After dinner there was a contest for best costume. So many new breeds of penguins! Frank has his work cut out for him with researching them all. There were many festivities that followed such as a viewing of Sleepy Hollow (not really sure why they didn't show Happy Feet since Sleepy Hollow has nothing to do with Antarctica.) in the Discovery Lounge, and Parker playing in the Polar Bear Bar, however a group of us desecrated the library with a three hour Cards Against Humanity session. Jessi, Lisa, Sabrina, Dave, Melvin, Phil, Thomas, and I became worse people together scaring off anyone who might have wanted to spend a quiet night there. I went to bed at 1:30 hoping I wouldn't have dreams against humanity.
Steps taken: 11,545
This was the last morning of excursions. The morning excursion was to Deception Island. It is an inactive super volcano. We hiked up the trail where there was a bowl shaped valley below. We trekked down around the valley and along the coast back towards the zodiacs. There were many penguins and seals along the coast. A few of us took some icicles that hung low from the heavy snow packed above the coast, and ate them. Best icicle I've ever had. (That's some high quality H2O.) We also pretended we were fighting avalanches. After we had our fun we took a zodiac back to the ship.
After lunch we had a little time to kill before the afternoon excursion. We relaxed until that point and then it was off to Yankee Harbor. Scott, Dan, and I walked along the rocky shores discussing infinite parallel universes. Were we similar in alternative universes? Radically different? Still alive? Maybe I'm actually a wolf in another dimension. Perhaps there is another universe where either I didn't have wanderlust or the need to travel as much as I have been doing in the past five years. Maybe there is a universe where Lydia decided on a life with me, and we traveled the world together. Whatever happened in other universes I am content with what I've decided and done with my life thus far in this universe.
As for Yankee Harbor itself, there were penguins as far as the eyes can see in some stretches. Many of them had their chicks hatch fairly recently. We had seen baby penguins before, but there were so many here. (Insert collective "Daaaaawwwwwwwwwwwww!" here.) After an hour or so, the cold was bothering me a bit, however I toughed it out for another hour because we had to make our final landing last.
We returned to beef broth and snacks. I showered and got into my dress clothes (sans dress shoes) in anticipation of the 'Black & White' events. Black & White dinner was blissful & wonderful. The appetizer was a choice between California rolls or mussels. I chose the mussels, but it was not an easy choice. We also had fish soup. For the main course I had steak. Dessert was black & white mocha cake.
After dinner there was a contest for best costume. So many new breeds of penguins! Frank has his work cut out for him with researching them all. There were many festivities that followed such as a viewing of Sleepy Hollow (not really sure why they didn't show Happy Feet since Sleepy Hollow has nothing to do with Antarctica.) in the Discovery Lounge, and Parker playing in the Polar Bear Bar, however a group of us desecrated the library with a three hour Cards Against Humanity session. Jessi, Lisa, Sabrina, Dave, Melvin, Phil, Thomas, and I became worse people together scaring off anyone who might have wanted to spend a quiet night there. I went to bed at 1:30 hoping I wouldn't have dreams against humanity.
The Whalebone Graveyard.
Day 9: Tuesday, January 7th, 2014
Steps taken: 4,205
The night's rest was just what I needed after what seemed like two full days without sleep. After breakfast we had a zodiac cruise around Cierva Cove. Unlike the previous zodiac cruises especially the last one , which felt like we were hares, this one was accustomed to the speed of a tortoise. I had no problem with this considering the amazing scenery. The entire zodiac was hushed by the landscape and maybe even the pace of the little black boat. There were massive glaciers and walls of snow ready to separate in large sheets on the mountains. While this may be said about much of Antarctica, the cove felt unique. I think that's the greatest thing about being here: not getting tired of seeing glaciers, icebergs, and mountains.
Also, I don't know if it was the day or doing five minutes of Tai Chi circulation exercises before breakfast, but I barely felt the cold on this particular zodiac cruise.
We came back for lunch and then after some respite, arrived at our next destination which was Mikkelsen Harbour. We stopped off at Trinity Island first to see the whalebone graveyard. Perhaps I should have done some more circulation exercises before hand because this excursion was definitely chillier. The whalebone graveyard was a sight to behold. Some pieces were massive and many, such as spinal columns, were still attached to each other. Many of the bones were estimated to have been from before 1910 since there were laws about using every part of the whale around this time, and more people were extracting oil from bone. Amidst the scattered bones were one wooden vessel. We spent an hour on the island and then took a zodiac cruise (I'm not going to get tired of saying or writing that.) around the Harbour.
The highlights of the harbour were joking around with Brooke, our zodiac mistress, and seeing some excellent wildlife. We saw a massive bird fight between an Antarctic Tern and some kelp gulls. In addition to the birds, we found a leopard seal hanging out on an ice floe. They responded to us really well. Kept popping their head up and smiling. We spent a good five minutes with them. The thing that we were told was rare behavior was for them to open their mouth, which they did repeatedly. After saying goodbye to our new friend we returned to the ship.
One thing of note that I forgot about before was the spotting of a pod of humpback whales from the ship before Trinity Island. They swam with the ship for a good five minutes allowing us for some stupendous photo and video opportunities. This was a great moment for us all.
For dinner was ossa bucco, and panna cotta for dessert. Our whole table were panna cotta warriors. After dinner, Dan and I chilled in the Discovery Lounge with a glass/mug of wine, and talked with a few other Expeditioners before calling it a night.
Steps taken: 4,205
The night's rest was just what I needed after what seemed like two full days without sleep. After breakfast we had a zodiac cruise around Cierva Cove. Unlike the previous zodiac cruises especially the last one , which felt like we were hares, this one was accustomed to the speed of a tortoise. I had no problem with this considering the amazing scenery. The entire zodiac was hushed by the landscape and maybe even the pace of the little black boat. There were massive glaciers and walls of snow ready to separate in large sheets on the mountains. While this may be said about much of Antarctica, the cove felt unique. I think that's the greatest thing about being here: not getting tired of seeing glaciers, icebergs, and mountains.
Also, I don't know if it was the day or doing five minutes of Tai Chi circulation exercises before breakfast, but I barely felt the cold on this particular zodiac cruise.
We came back for lunch and then after some respite, arrived at our next destination which was Mikkelsen Harbour. We stopped off at Trinity Island first to see the whalebone graveyard. Perhaps I should have done some more circulation exercises before hand because this excursion was definitely chillier. The whalebone graveyard was a sight to behold. Some pieces were massive and many, such as spinal columns, were still attached to each other. Many of the bones were estimated to have been from before 1910 since there were laws about using every part of the whale around this time, and more people were extracting oil from bone. Amidst the scattered bones were one wooden vessel. We spent an hour on the island and then took a zodiac cruise (I'm not going to get tired of saying or writing that.) around the Harbour.
The highlights of the harbour were joking around with Brooke, our zodiac mistress, and seeing some excellent wildlife. We saw a massive bird fight between an Antarctic Tern and some kelp gulls. In addition to the birds, we found a leopard seal hanging out on an ice floe. They responded to us really well. Kept popping their head up and smiling. We spent a good five minutes with them. The thing that we were told was rare behavior was for them to open their mouth, which they did repeatedly. After saying goodbye to our new friend we returned to the ship.
One thing of note that I forgot about before was the spotting of a pod of humpback whales from the ship before Trinity Island. They swam with the ship for a good five minutes allowing us for some stupendous photo and video opportunities. This was a great moment for us all.
For dinner was ossa bucco, and panna cotta for dessert. Our whole table were panna cotta warriors. After dinner, Dan and I chilled in the Discovery Lounge with a glass/mug of wine, and talked with a few other Expeditioners before calling it a night.
The World's Greatest Ice Garden
Greetings, fellow adventurers! I know it's been a while, and I left my Antarctica daily blogs half finished (I'll try not to do anything half way anymore.), but here is the rest of my time in the Antarctic. I'll make sure I catch up with my excursions both grand and small that have happened between Antarctica and Australia & New Zealand. Here is where I left off.
Day 8: Monday, January 6th, 2014
Steps taken: 7,359
Initially I slept well, however after an hour or two I grew increasingly cold and uncomfortable. After twisting and turning in my sleeping bag, I awoke at 3:30 and needed to move around. I hastily put on my wolf cap and boots, and hurried to 'the loo with a view' behind the cabin at the campsite.
Much to my dismay, the flags were crossed indicating that someone was already using the loo. I was ready to urinate there on the spot, but Aussie Darryl came out of the cabin and said that he forgot to uncross the flags. I went to the portable bathroom to do my business, uncrossed the flags, and went into the cabin to spend the time until we had to leave with Darryl. More and more people trickled their way in as it got closer to the 6 am wake up call for everyone. It was nice talking to Darryl and the others about assorted things while we waited.
6 am arrives and most people are up and breaking down their tents to get on the zodiacs for the return to the ship. Melvin was not up, but once I talked to Jessi and Lisa next door, he started to stir. I was already packed up so once he got his stuff together we broke down the tent. Of course this was easier than constructing the tent. Ahh! Thus is the way of most things in life.
We were on one of the last zodiacs back, but that's all right since there was some hot chocolate waiting for us when we arrived. After getting situated again it was time for breakfast. It was nice to be warm and full again. Despite the lack of sleep, camping was very cool
The next activity was sightseeing from the boat on the Lemaire Channel. I was so exhausted after breakfast that I feel asleep while reading and didn't wake up until lunch time. I didn't really want to miss anything, but that can't be helped sometimes.
After lunch, we got ready for the afternoon excursion on Booth Island and in Pleneau Bay. My group went to Booth Island first. This is where we saw all three types of penguins of the area all together although Guintoo dominated. We saw a few Dehlis and Chinstraps. There was a rock formation with an 'F' (for Ferrara of course) carved into it that Heidi had a telescope set up for, but I was not able to spot it very well. It was really faint and I had limited view through the telescope because of my glasses. I wandered around for an hour or so and then headed back for a zodiac to cruise around Pleneau Bay.
Pleneau Bay was fantastic. The best way to describe it is an ice menagerie or an ice sculpture garden. All of the glaciers were extremely distinct. We saw glaciers shaped like animals, places, and things from popular culture. Of course this was all subjective. One glacier looked like the U.S.S. Federation from one angle, the Millenium Falcon from another, and a giant manta ray from a third. Pablo was driving the zodiac with Bismark in the nearby area, so we would race each other through the sea's ice garden. We stopped a few times (one time for a leopard seal, and another for a colony of crabeaters), but most of the time it was a fierce and close race. We slowed down to drive through a glacier that was cleaved down the middle, but almost symmetrical on both sides.
When we reached the other side of that glacier/non-glacier, Pablo accidentally pulled (engaged) the kill switch on the engine, and we came to a halt. We frantically tried to get started again while Bismark sped past pointing and saying "Har-Har! Har-Har! Har-Har!" Nelson Muntz style at us. We got our engines revving again, and the chase was on! We managed to bridge the gap, but we were almost at the ship. As Bismark's group was about to win, our zodiac cut on the inside into the stair tower back onto the ship. WE WON! BITE MY ICE!
When we all started congregating on the ship there were heavy talks of a polar bear plunge. I was interested in doing a plunge, but on the conditions that I had a normal pair of pants to change into afterwards. After the first excursion I had only one clean pair of pants left. I wore white cargo pants for the first excursion for the illusion of not having legs. Sliding down the mountain twice left me with only a pair of dress pants. I had sent my laundry out immediately the first day, and was told I would get them back in a day or so. I was hoping to get my clean clothes back for a polar plunge, but unfortunately I did not. Since I have never seen a polar plunge done in person I was okay with not doing it yet.
Forty people including Dan did the polar plunge. The rest of us watched from the top decks. The way it was set up was that one or two people at a time were harnessed to the mudroom scaffolding and would jump. The sounds people made were hysterical. Some people were timid, others eager. Most people stayed in the water for a few seconds. One hot dog stayed in for at least twenty seconds. After watching this I really wanted to do the local polar plunge and I swear when I go to the Arctic that I will do one there.
Dinner that night was really special and a good way to build off an event like the plunge. They had a BBQ on the polar bear bar deck, which was phenomenal. It was a warm enough day, Some really good food from basic stuff such as hamburgers, and hot dogs to more advanced stuff such as ribs, chicken wings, and rice with mussels and crawfish. There was an ice cream bar(buffet bar not singular ice cream bars) and apple cobbler for dessert. This may have been some of the world's best BBQ! Or at least the best BBQ I've been to on principle.
After a BBQ coma I went back to the room to read and went to bed by 10:30. Another productive and eventful day.
Day 8: Monday, January 6th, 2014
Steps taken: 7,359
Initially I slept well, however after an hour or two I grew increasingly cold and uncomfortable. After twisting and turning in my sleeping bag, I awoke at 3:30 and needed to move around. I hastily put on my wolf cap and boots, and hurried to 'the loo with a view' behind the cabin at the campsite.
Much to my dismay, the flags were crossed indicating that someone was already using the loo. I was ready to urinate there on the spot, but Aussie Darryl came out of the cabin and said that he forgot to uncross the flags. I went to the portable bathroom to do my business, uncrossed the flags, and went into the cabin to spend the time until we had to leave with Darryl. More and more people trickled their way in as it got closer to the 6 am wake up call for everyone. It was nice talking to Darryl and the others about assorted things while we waited.
6 am arrives and most people are up and breaking down their tents to get on the zodiacs for the return to the ship. Melvin was not up, but once I talked to Jessi and Lisa next door, he started to stir. I was already packed up so once he got his stuff together we broke down the tent. Of course this was easier than constructing the tent. Ahh! Thus is the way of most things in life.
We were on one of the last zodiacs back, but that's all right since there was some hot chocolate waiting for us when we arrived. After getting situated again it was time for breakfast. It was nice to be warm and full again. Despite the lack of sleep, camping was very cool
The next activity was sightseeing from the boat on the Lemaire Channel. I was so exhausted after breakfast that I feel asleep while reading and didn't wake up until lunch time. I didn't really want to miss anything, but that can't be helped sometimes.
After lunch, we got ready for the afternoon excursion on Booth Island and in Pleneau Bay. My group went to Booth Island first. This is where we saw all three types of penguins of the area all together although Guintoo dominated. We saw a few Dehlis and Chinstraps. There was a rock formation with an 'F' (for Ferrara of course) carved into it that Heidi had a telescope set up for, but I was not able to spot it very well. It was really faint and I had limited view through the telescope because of my glasses. I wandered around for an hour or so and then headed back for a zodiac to cruise around Pleneau Bay.
Pleneau Bay was fantastic. The best way to describe it is an ice menagerie or an ice sculpture garden. All of the glaciers were extremely distinct. We saw glaciers shaped like animals, places, and things from popular culture. Of course this was all subjective. One glacier looked like the U.S.S. Federation from one angle, the Millenium Falcon from another, and a giant manta ray from a third. Pablo was driving the zodiac with Bismark in the nearby area, so we would race each other through the sea's ice garden. We stopped a few times (one time for a leopard seal, and another for a colony of crabeaters), but most of the time it was a fierce and close race. We slowed down to drive through a glacier that was cleaved down the middle, but almost symmetrical on both sides.
When we reached the other side of that glacier/non-glacier, Pablo accidentally pulled (engaged) the kill switch on the engine, and we came to a halt. We frantically tried to get started again while Bismark sped past pointing and saying "Har-Har! Har-Har! Har-Har!" Nelson Muntz style at us. We got our engines revving again, and the chase was on! We managed to bridge the gap, but we were almost at the ship. As Bismark's group was about to win, our zodiac cut on the inside into the stair tower back onto the ship. WE WON! BITE MY ICE!
When we all started congregating on the ship there were heavy talks of a polar bear plunge. I was interested in doing a plunge, but on the conditions that I had a normal pair of pants to change into afterwards. After the first excursion I had only one clean pair of pants left. I wore white cargo pants for the first excursion for the illusion of not having legs. Sliding down the mountain twice left me with only a pair of dress pants. I had sent my laundry out immediately the first day, and was told I would get them back in a day or so. I was hoping to get my clean clothes back for a polar plunge, but unfortunately I did not. Since I have never seen a polar plunge done in person I was okay with not doing it yet.
Forty people including Dan did the polar plunge. The rest of us watched from the top decks. The way it was set up was that one or two people at a time were harnessed to the mudroom scaffolding and would jump. The sounds people made were hysterical. Some people were timid, others eager. Most people stayed in the water for a few seconds. One hot dog stayed in for at least twenty seconds. After watching this I really wanted to do the local polar plunge and I swear when I go to the Arctic that I will do one there.
Dinner that night was really special and a good way to build off an event like the plunge. They had a BBQ on the polar bear bar deck, which was phenomenal. It was a warm enough day, Some really good food from basic stuff such as hamburgers, and hot dogs to more advanced stuff such as ribs, chicken wings, and rice with mussels and crawfish. There was an ice cream bar(buffet bar not singular ice cream bars) and apple cobbler for dessert. This may have been some of the world's best BBQ! Or at least the best BBQ I've been to on principle.
After a BBQ coma I went back to the room to read and went to bed by 10:30. Another productive and eventful day.
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