Go with the [Ice] Flow Antarctic Experience 1/29-2/1 2026 Days 26-29

 

I wasn't sure what to expect at the bottom of the world.  All we had was the goofy photo taken from a travel show where I grabbed a can of bear repellant.  Little did I know that there were bears in the Arctic (Ursua Major and Minor), but no bears in the Antarctic, just a plethora of penguins, whales, seals and birds!  While the Arctic is mostly ocean, the Antartctic is a massive continent of rock and ice,  1 1/2 times the size of the United States, with 90 per cent of the world's ice and 70 per cent of the world's  fresh water.

Our first day od the Antarctic Experience was fog and sleet, but we manged to see a few penguins porporsing and a humpback whale breaching between breaks in the mist, but the rest of our adventures had to be postponed, or as our Cruise Director, Erin, said, "Go with the [ice] flow"

The next day brought fabulous sights of thousands of gentoo penguins at the rookery at Caverville Island and "Titantic Moments"

Highlights included passing by the abandoned Argentinan researach station Melchoir studded with Penguins, sea lions and albarossess.  And dining in the Lido while watching penguins swim like dolphins and whales working together utitilizing bubble tactics to round up krill. And taking an eveing stroll at 11 pm to watch the slow sunset in the long summer of daylight afte experiencing rain, sleet, fog and snow--all in one day.

Another titantic moment after stunning Paradise Bay with a plethora of marine life with a glassy reflective cruise amidst bergy bits.

And in the midst of our Tu B'shvat t (Jewish arbor Day) mini seder, having to pause for a photo opp of the Palmer US Antarctic station between our four cups of wine--just another go with the [ice] flow as ice conditions delayed our visit until evening.

Flexiblity, patience, and persistence are keys to Antarctic adventures.  Originally, I was diaappointed not to have boots on the ground on my seventh continuent, but now appreciate the majesty and fragility and the lesser impact of our Antarctic experience experience of sailing the Antarctic Peninusla.  I am pround to be inducted into the order of the Red Nose and swimming [in the Lido pool] in the Antarctic Ocean.

As Ernest Shakleton opined,  "Better to be a live donkey than a dead lion." In 2022 The Edurance was found by a submersable drone https://endurance22.org/.  They went with the flow, just as Skakletone did as we retraced their epic steps!