Day 4 (con't): Landfall!!!

sur*re*al (adj) - Having an oddly dreamlike quality.
Today was one of the most unique, surreal experiences of my life. Words will not do it justice, so tomorrow I will try and post more photos that will help you visualize what I saw today.

First, the clear calm weather gave way to 45km per hour winds, snow showers and very rough seas. They say the weather in Antarctica can change on a dime and today it did. Nonetheless, we made our way to the zodiacs and had quite a wild ride making it to shore from the ship. I heard one woman say, "Is this the stupidest thing I've ever done?!?" Everyone just laughed and shouted "No way!" And then off we went!

I love how everyone on this journey has the heart of an explorer.

The massiveness of the mountains and glaciers surrounding the bay we are in is just astounding. I believe we will be anchoring here in the bay of Wiencke Island where Port Lockroy is located overnight. I don't think the photos or video can begin to capture the enormity of the landscape.


Once safely on shore today, we were greeted by thousands of Gentoo Penguins, mostly young ones - not babies, but teenagers! I got some absolutely fantastic video of some of these guys chasing each other around and also of a mother feeding her baby (regurgitating food into its mouth, just like in March of the Penguins). And don't even get me started about the photos... I took about 150 in the 90 minutes I was there!

We only had an hour each on shore since the Antarctic treaty only allows 100 tourists to go at a time (so as not to disturb the penguins or the landscape). And since we have about 500 passengers on the ship, taking turns it still took 5-6 hours to get everyone out and back. I ended up getting to stay about 90 minutes though. I just couldn't tear myself away. And since many people just took a few photos and left quickly due to the harsh conditions, I was allowed to.

It was brutally cold with winds that pushed you along as you walked and it was snowing. The longer we were there, the rougher the water got (boding an even more difficult journey back to the ship). But I just couldn't go.

I kept thinking, this is the first and last time I will EVER have the opportunity to be in this place where so few people have ever been before. So despite the fact that my nose and eyes were watering so badly I couldn't wipe the moisture away quick enough. And the fact that snow flakes kept getting on my lenses (camera and camcorder), I just kept wiping and kept shooting for as long as I could.

Every day here brings a new emotion. Being in this place. Seeing the things I am seeing. Meeting people from all over the world who were drawn here and finding out why they felt the calling to come and see for themselves this desolate, beautiful place. Amazing.

It's nearly 10pm now and bright as day out. The sun is supposed to set tonight at 10:23pm, but that will only bring twighlight. Like Russia during the summer, Antarctica is truly the land of the midnight sun.

Tonight I will dream about the penguins.

Tomorrow promises another adventure as we make our way to Paradise Bay...