ANTARCTICA
Putting my feet on 7th continent
31st December | 2022
To make the most of the long days here in Antarctica I decided to get up already at 5am this morning. We were on our way to Paradise Bay. The weather didn´t look too promising, so fingers crossed that we can get out with the zodiacs later today.
It was worse to get up that early as some humpback whales showed up in far distance. It is each time so impressive to see first their "Blas" and then turns up a part of their body! As it started to snow I opted to go back to my warm bed for a while ;-)
Around lunchtime, we arrived at Paradise Bay and they started to get down the zodiacs. It will be only a zodiac ride around the bay, but as we are already so far South, many more ice blocks are floating around in the water. While a group was out with the zodiacs, some humpback whales also showed up - in far distance from us though, but close to the ones on the zodiac.
When it was our turn, we drove along the glacier and some penguins raced with us. We could see more penguins (Eselspinguine) at the Argentinian expedition station "Base Brown". They had there their colonies.
After the last group got in and the zodiacs were towed away, the preparation for New Year's Eve started. They even presented us "Dinner for One"; I think it is a very German thing even though it is in English.
After Dinner, we arrived at Orne Harbour. We should be able to put our feet on the Antarctic tonight. Wow, unbelievable! So that meant also changing from nice dresses into warm gear to go onshore.
About 22h it was the turn of my mum and me! How fantastic is that! My mum stayed back in the queue to go back to the boat, as it was far too cold and it was a very steep way up to the penguin colony. However, it was such a memorable moment to put together our feet in Antarctica on New Year's Eve.
I, of course, walked up all the way to see some penguins. It was not an easy climb due to the deep snow and our path was a bit slippy in places. It was a great feeling to be up there and hear the donkey penguins (Eselspinguine) chatting.
On my way back down to the zodiac the snowstorm started, not too bad, but enough for someone living in the sunny Algarve ;-) However, it was such a great moment that will stick in my memories forever!
Exactly at midnight, I was back on board - HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Again I had to change clothes from warm into some sort of festive for a drink at the lounge.
Next week you will find out, how the New Year will start for us!
Have a toast to 2023 with a glass of Champagne!
Places | Cities:
Paradise Bay, Orne Harbour (Antarctica)
Health issues:
That tickling cough seems not to disappear.
Special thanks to:
To the team of "Expedition Antarctica" to make it possible to put our feet on the 7th continent on New Years Eve.