Antarctica 2025/26

Days 19-21  Falklands-Malvinas (Cont'd) After three days at sea we pulled into Stanley Harbour just before breakfast this morning.  It's a Falklands requirement that we go to Stanley before we land anywhere else, so given that we want to be back at sea by mid-afternoon that kind of limits our options for seeing much of the islands.  Oh well - we've been lucky with the weather up until now.  We probably missed out on seeing nesting albatrosses and rockhopper penguins but we've seen albatrosses in the air and, lord knows, we've seen hundreds of thousands of other penguins.   I see my phone automatically updated to a new IOS overnight.  What I didn't realize right away was that when it did that it took my phone off airplane mode and dropped the wifi.  So - I can't wait to see my bill for roaming charges; ugh.......... We started ferrying guests to land shortly after 8.  They had arranged for a big bus to take us out to Gypsy Cove.  I signed...

Days 19-21  Falklands-Malvinas (Cont'd) At sea - on the way to Falklands - again today.  The swells seem a bit calmer, but some folks are still struggling.  I'm still proactively taking a bit of Gravol and I continue to feel well.   A leisurely day of reading, lectures, and a tour of the bridge.  My tour was at 4:30 and we can see the Falkland Islands in the distance.  It will be a brief stay there.  Another storm is brewing and the captain wants to be gone by 2:30.  

Days 19-21  Falklands-Malvinas The Falklands-Malvinas comprises two large islands (East and West Falkland), with over 700 islands scattered off the coast.  All but seven of these are uninhabited, with windswept coastlines, white sand beaches, and crystal-clear water.  These beautifully barren islands are true wildlife havens, sheltering an impressive diversity of birdlife, including the largest black-browed albatross colony on earth.  The cold, nutrient-rich waters surrounding the islands make this a prime location for spotting marine life. There are many beautiful areas to explore across the Falklands-Malvinas, each offering a unique perspective on this magnificent archipelago.  Your experienced expedition team, who have made countless journeys to this area, will use their expertise to design your voyage from day to day, choosing the best options based on the prevailing winds, weather, and wildlife opportunities. Even though we're north of the Antarctic Converg...

Days 17-18  At Sea (cont'd) We headed out "to sea" after we departed King Haakon Bay yesterday.  It was a bit rocky overnight, but (with the help of Gravol) I'm still feeling well.  Today was a rather lazy day.  Breakfast and a couple of lectures in the morning.  Lunch, shopping (I found out my ship credit which was part of my booking isn't available to offset the gratuity payment), gym (two hands holding onto the treadmill), shower, reading, and then recap & mini-lectures followed by dinner.  As we were finishing dinner the ride was getting noticeably rougher.  Could be a rocky night!   I am now the proud owner of a nice Patagonia fleece jacket, a merino base layer, penguin socks, and a map.  All totally unnecessary, but since my bar bill was $0 I had to spend my credit somewhere....... We have another 2 days at sea and they're looking to be rough ones.  

Days 17-18  At Sea As we sail towards the Falklands-Malvinas, there is plenty to keep you occupied on board. Our expedition team will continue to share their wealth of knowledge about the wildlife, history, and natural world as part of the onboard lecture series.  You will have ample time to enjoy observing seabirds from the stern of the ship, keeping a close watch for whales and other marine wildlife, or simply enjoy the many facilities available to you on the ship. Well, apparently I lied yesterday about leaving South Georgia.  The day that we were originally due to arrive in the Falkland Islands coincides with a predicted storm that will likely close the port of Stanley (where we need to go first).  So..... we're going to spend an extra day in South Georgia and try to make a couple of landings at more Shackleton sites - Cape Rosa and Peggotty Bluff - in King Haakon Bay. Cape Rosa (called Cave Cove in Shackleton's day) - marks the entrance to King Haakon Bay on the...

Day 16  South Georgia / At Sea Sea and weather conditions will determine our departure time from South Georgia today. We're not actually leaving South Georgia quite yet.  Two more 'operations' here.  Salisbury Plain this morning.  Looks like there are lots and lots of penguins (and probably seals) ready to greet us on shore.  Bright sunshine first thing this morning, but a bit more clouded over now (8am).  From the boat the plain looked a little shallow, but looks can be deceiving; it went on forever!  Lovely setting.  So much room and so much wildlife!  Mountains and glaciers right behind it. It is a broad coastal plain found within the Bay of Isles.  It lies between the mouths of the Grace and Lucas glaciers.  It is best known as the breeding site for as many as 60,000 king penguins.  That info is from Wikipedia.  Lonely Planet says that number is more like 250,000.    Today I thought I would take less pictures...