I can’t tell you how many times in the last days that we have been cruising through the Antarctic that Lee and I have looked at each other and said,
”Can you believe we are here? Who gets to do this?!”
As it turns out, at least on this cruise, those who “get to do this” are people who have been just about everywhere else. They are well-traveled, adventurous folks who are looking for an extraordinary experience that is just a little bit off the beaten path. We have met all of them……on tours, at dinner, in the drink lounge, at the local pub…and the list goes on. I don’t think I have ever met such a large group of such interesting people from so many different places who have done so many exciting things! I’m out of breath just thinking about it! We are, indeed, fortunate to be sharing the incredible experience of cruising around the Antarctic with such a distinguished group!
I am going to tell you where we have been and what we have seen in the last few days. But, I am not a cartographer, a zoologist, a geologist, a historian or anything even close. So, if I miss a few of the details, you will have to forgive me. I am, however someone who studies people. I’ve done it all of my life. So, as I reflect on the last days, aside of the sights I have seen, I think what I have enjoyed the most about these days in the Antarctic has been connecting with my own feelings about this experience and watching my fellow shipmates connect as well. It’s an interesting sense of “community” that I saw emerging as we all viewed the vastness of the waterways and observed the icy landmasses and glaciers and helped each other pick out the flora and fauna that was available as we traveled through. I enjoyed watching the child-like wonder that you could see in the faces of the people as we rounded the edges of the Antarctic to see breathtaking sunsets set against the mountainous landscapes, animals frolicking in the wake of the ship and some extraordinarily large icebergs. I also enjoyed reconnecting with my own inner child as I have been racing back and forth across the ship to see things. It’s been awhile since I have seen that kid around, and I kind of enjoyed the visit. In all, it’s been an experience that I will never forget and one that makes me long for more!
I will, again, give Celebrity a hand for providing us with an interesting and understandable account of the action that surrounded us. One of the speakers who presented information in our first days on board did a very interesting narration as we traveled. He did his best to present us with interesting facts and to point things out as we went along. Well done! We also had great sunny and clear weather the whole way through, which was not the work of Celebrity, but nevertheless, I thank them for helping us to make the most of it!
On the first day of our journey, we rounded Cape Horn, the southern tip of South America. As I pointed out in my last post, this was an early morning. We were up at 5:30 am so that we could get to the deck and get the first sighting of the “horn” at 6:00 am. I haven’t been up for a sunrise since I left work a few years ago, so this was quite a shock to the constitution! But, it was well worth the effort.
I find it difficult to put into words the beauty of the sunrise. When we emerged onto the deck, we saw a ribbon of pink against a graying sky. As the sun got higher it turned into a bright yellow band that eventually disappeared into the bright blue sky. We all ran from “port” to “starboard” and from “forward” to “aft” as the ship moved around the horn, so as not to miss a single view. It was spectacular!
On the second day, we went through the Schollart Channel, Paradise Bay and the Gerlache Strait in the northernmost part of the Antarctic Peninsula. As we moved through these areas, we experienced all of the “seasons”. We had rain, sleet and then snow. (For some of the crew, this was the first snow they had ever seen. Hard for this western Pennsylvania girl to believe, but it was so!) When we finally stopped in the middle of Paradise Bay, the sun broke through and the waters were calm. The ship took a small pause and did a slow spin in the bay so that we could get a panorama of the area. We sat in the water in the middle of a circular cove. We were surrounded on all sides by huge mountains covered with brilliant white snow periodically interrupted by lines of black rock. I needed sunglasses in order to look directly at the snow. It was stunning!
During the passage, we saw a variety of wildlife to include Penguins, hump-backed whales, a myriad of birds and a seal or two. My favorite was watching the Penguins as they played in the water around the ship. They looked like small dolphins as they jumped through the waves. They looked so free and joyous! Sadly, they move too fast to get pictures. But, as Lee said, we have the memory in our hearts! So true!
Our last passage was around Elephant Island. The Penguins alongside the ship guided us in to the largest glacier I have ever seen. The size even astounded the narrator as he gave us the relative dimensions. We were hoping to see seals here, but sadly, there were none. However, on a small piece of ice that jutted out from one side, we saw a flock of Penguins sunbathing on top of the ice. It made my day!
I am still blown away by the spectacle of things I have seen on this trip. It’s daunting to think about the first explorers that came through here not knowing what they would find, if anything. I would not have the courage. But, I’m grateful for those that did. They have provided me with an experience I won’t soon forget.
And, as an FYI……in case there was any doubt, it has been wildly cold here as we have sailed through the Antarctic. Kudos to Costco, who sold me an amazing wind-breaking down jacket that rolls up and fits in a tiny pouch; Keen, who produced some of the best walking shoes I have ever had; and my friend Kathy, who lent me her warm socks. I am also, again, thanking Celebrity. They sold me a “snood” (scarf with a hood) for $10, which I have taken some ribbing for purchasing and wearing. It makes me look like a “smurf”. But, I have worn it everyday. After a few days of icy cold weather, one forgets about appearance and just “bundles up”.
Stay warm!
Travel With Betsy 
Leave a comment