Farewell to Antarctica

After an outstanding morning at Portal Point the Captain headed the ship to Brabant Island where we were dropped off in zodiacs to circumnavigate the island and be picked up a little farther down the strait where we then navigated through a beautiful channel before heading north to the Drake Passage for our journey back to Ushuaia. The scenery on the zodiac cruise was outstanding as the fog lifted revealing huge ice fields with some peaks breaking through.  The thunder of calving glaciers could be heard and Bud turned off the zodiac a couple of times just to sit and listen to the sounds.  Amazing!  We saw one humpback and one penguin but the wildlife was scarce here as the water was so clear which shows there is very little plankton in this area and thus very little food.  The icebergs were once again beautiful and some of them were extra blue catching the light just right.  As our zodiac cruise came to an end we were met by a ‘viking’ zodiac from which members of the crew handed out spiked hot chocolate.  Sailing through the passage we tried to take it all in as we knew these were the last views we would have of this incredible continent before starting our return journey.  Our time here was short but we are so thankful for the wonderful weather and the experienced crew that together made this a trip that has given us memories that will last a lifetime and far surpassed our expectations.

Entering the waters around the island the fog started to lift

Sun on the ice is dazzling

The lone chinstrap penguin that greeted us and the last we would see in Antarctica 

Walls of ice meet the ocean 


Beautiful blue colours given off by the icebergs

One can see large pieces of ice ready to fall. Weighing tons this is why one never goes to close to the walls

Incredibly coloured iceberg 

Variety of textures

Making memories 

Piece of what was once a tabular iceberg 

The snow looked in places like it had been walked on by a multitude of people but it was just the pattern that developed as it softened during the summer season with falling snow and such

Looks like a black and white picture but this is full colour in Antarctica. The lines on the iceberg are from different water levels as it has rolled or grounded

Navigating the zodiac through the ice. Glad it is not ours

The ship in the distance waiting to pick us up

This iceberg looked like a church from certain angles with a big window you could see through 

Here come the Vikings with the hot chocolate

Sailing through our last passage befor heading into the open ocean

Jimmy, the trip leader, giving us a briefing on the expectations for the Drake Passage crossing.  It was expected to be calm which was not the case but sometimes one has to put up with some discomfort to reap huge rewards.  Eric and I had no problem with the rough seas so not an issue for us.

I felt this little guy was watching us go and hopefully wanting us to share the beauty of the place he calls home