After crossing out 6 continents on our travel bucket list, my wife and I finally decided to conquer Antartcica. The struggle and hardship we encountered during our 36 hour flight from our home country to get to the Ushuaia is incomparable to the excitement that we felt when we boarded the M/V Plancius, our home during our 10-day Antarctic Expedition.
Day 1: Boarding at Ushuaia Port
We were greeted by members of our Antarctic Expedition Team including the doctor, the Hotel and Restaurant Manager. Then the rest of the crew directed us into our cabins. After which, we were then instructed to go the the lounge for briefing of the required SOLAS (Safety Of Life At Sea) Safety and Lifeboat Drill.
Shortly after, we entered the Beagle Channel with an escort of black browed albatross. We were able to enjoy the beautiful weather until we were recalled to practice the abandon ship drill, including trying on our huge orange life jackets and walking to the lifeboat stations.
Our first dinner onboard was a chance to chat with other guests.
Day 2: At Sea to Antarctica – Drake’s Passage
After the smooth wake-up call, breakfast buffet immediately followed. Since the Drake Passage is a good place to observe seabirds, they invited us to attend an interesting talk on birds and their adaptations to their harsh environment.
Day 3: Still at – Drake’s Passage
A second full day at sea. After breakfast, we had a series of mandatory briefings on wearing life jackets and how to get on and off of the zodiacs.
Then after lunch, there were several lectures on environmental awareness and correct behavior in Antartica but we were not able to attend because my wife is still having sea sick.
Day 4: Paulet Island / Brown Bluff in Antarctica
Finally our first landing in Antarctica!!! This small piece of Antarctica is home to a gigantic concentration of Adélie penguins. After lunch, we immediately went to our second destination of the day, Brown Bluff. This pebble beach overhung by imposing ochre-tinted cliffs is home to colonies of Gentoo and Adélie penguins.
Day 5: Eckener Point / Portal Point in Antarctica
The weather had gotten a little worse through the morning but that did not stop us or the team from getting out to experience another part of Antarctica—a cruise of Eckener Point at the edge of Charlotte Bay
After dinner, we went out again to land at Portal Point—many of us were up for the challenge to get two excursions for the day and experience more true Antarctic weather!
Day 6: Cuverville Island / Stony Point in Antarctica
Today we headed out to Cuverville Island, home of a big Gentoo penguin colony in Antarctica. A Weddell seal paid a visit and on the way back to the ship we had a small detour to enjoy the Icebergs in the bay before heading back to Plancius for lunch.
After lunch Plancius sailed to our second site for the day and our favorite landing site in Antarctica: Stony Point. We put on snowshoes to hike up the glacier to enjoy the majestic view overlooking Antarctica. We ended the day with BBQ dinner.
Day 7: Danco Island / Orne Harbour in Antarctica
We went hiking and on the way up to the top, we passed different sized colonies with plenty of lively chicks around. After several stops, we enjoyed a fantastic view over the Errera Channel and our temporary home Plancius.
Slowly we set sail towards Orne Harbour, our afternoon destination. We saw 2 leopard seals and fur seals on the ice. And plenty of chinstrap and gentoo penguins moving around in the bay. We found more fur seals hanging out at the rocks at the base of the icy slopes, with a highlight of seeing a penguin “staircase”.
The end of the Antarctica Cruise was topped out by a group of humpback whales that passed by our Zodiacs.
Day 8: Whaler’s Bay / Half Moon Island in Antarctica
It was a beautiful day to spend in the crater of Deception Island. This island of volcanic origin was a major site for the whaling industry at the beginning of the 20th century.
We landed on a beach along which many remains of historical buildings illustrate this era.
The last eruption of the crater in 1969 put an end to this industry.
After lunch, we sailed 3 hours to our final destination Half Moon Island. This site is home to several colonies of chinstrap penguins, plus a few scattered gentoo penguins and fur seals enjoying a bath in the bay or a rest on shore.
Day 9-10: At Sea to Ushuaia
The Drake passage, so often feared, seems for the moment remained relatively calm compared to our Day 1 and 2 experience.
On this Valentine’s day, we enjoyed a few more minutes of sleep before having breakfast in a dining room that has been remodeled for the occasion.
Day 11: Disembarkation – Ushuaia
#antarctica #travelvlog #vlog
Credits to Mike Williams of Canada for filming the leopard seal footage.
Music Used: Cinematic Epic Trailer Music [No Copyright Music]
Link:
Artist: Infraction..(read more)
CHECK OUT MORE: Travel Vlogs
EXPLORE MORE: Travel Tips
