Cruising 2019

Cruising into the harbor at New Island, Falklands Ruggedly beautiful and remote, New Island is located at the extreme west of the Falklands' archipelago.  Since 12996 the island has been owned and run by The New Island Conservation Trust.  Dramatic cliffs contrast with sheltered sandy bays and natural harbors.  New Island has a lartge3 concentration and great diversity of wildlife.  It is also one of the driest places with an annual rain fall of less than 16 inches.  Long used as a base for whaling, as a sheep farm and for occasional attempts to collect guano, New Island is considered by some to be one of the most beautiful islands in the Falklands archipelago.  Over forty species of birds breed on New Island, including four species of penguin.  Thin-billed prions are a highlight along with Skuas, striated caracara and peregrine falcons.  Marine mammals are also plentiful.  Peale's dolphins breed in inshore waters sea lions are often observed and fur seal colonies are fo

Believe that after leaving Antarctica, this quiet day at sea was really needed to rethink and savor the experience, to revel in the wonders of this continent, and to thank God for the opportunity to be a part of this expedition cruise. So after lunch out on deck with Eric, fog swirling all 'round us, drinking hot mulled wine (YUM!), being unable to tune out the obstreperous, loud and obnoxious European cruise guest on the other side of the dining area (mentioned earlier in this blog) - yes, we managed yet another meal (though light), and laughed our way through another hour and a half! This evening, we'd invited the Guest Services Manager, Nic Botha, (from South Africa) to have a meal with us.  Nic is a delightful young man, so competent in his job, but with a wicked sense of humor.   We began our evening in The Club for a cocktail before dinner. Must tell you that this cruise has been darn near perfect!   Well . . . . except for one tiny thing.   Couldn't wait to giv

I have no photos for today out on the zodiac!   Left my camera charging in the suite!  Perhaps I can add some later, as Sandi did have her phone with her! Sandi and I (John chose a stay-in day) went out in a zodiac in a region that is referred to as "Whale Soup"!   There were Humpback Whales everywhere.   Our Expedition Team guide felt that we should take this opportunity to just whale watch, and not worry about any birds or penguins.   We all agreed - eight of us.  There were at least a dozen whales in the water all around us.   There are rules as to how closely we can approach them.   At one point our guide turned off the motor of the zodiac, and we just watched and listened.  An odd assortment of sounds as they fed, swam, dove to display flukes and entertain us with their grace.   Here again, there are no words.  I will forever remember the quiet stillness as we watched and listened to the whales.   So memorable. Enterprise Island, or Isla Lientur, or Isla Nansen rote,

These two photos are more Purloined Photos from Eric Goldring, of Goldring Travel.  If you want to read a really good travel blog of this trip, and lots of other trips that Eric has undertaken, please go to: http://www.goldringtravel.com The top photo is not touched up, or enhanced!! . . . and these photos from Sandi.                                           Sandi says they are waving "goodbye"!!

Was awake most of the night, so luckily, this beautiful site presented itself at 3:30 a.m.   It was worth not sleeping! Gonzalez Videla Base, on the Antarctic mainland's Waterboat Point in Paradise Bay, is named after Chilean President Gabriel Gonzalez Videla, who in the 1940's became the first chief of state of any nation to visit Antarctica.  The station was active rom 1951-1958, and was reopened briefly in the early 1980's.  It is now an "inactive" base, with fuel and supplies in storage in the buildings for emergency use, or in vase the base were to be reactivated in the future.  Occasional summer visits are made by Chilean parties and tourists.  On the north edge of the station there is a sign identifying Waterboat Point as an official historic site under the Antarctic Treaty.  This was the place3 where the smallest ever wintering-over party (two men) spent a year and a day in 1921-1922.  The two men, Thomas Bagshawe and M.C. Lester, had been part of the

The view from my suite!!!  That's the tallest iceberg I've yet seen! Last evening, rather than cruise about in the high winds and rough seas, Captain took us to an anchorage just off Torgersen Island.   We had a restful night and dreamed of blue skies and sunshine.   Our dreams came true.   It is a beautiful morning, but still, oh so cold!!!   We were given warning that the scheduled cruises today in the zodiacs will be wet and rough. Have elected to stay aboard ship and let the youngsters do this one on their own!   It worked out rather well because I did have an acupuncture session that I could keep.   Have had to cancel one other because of scheduling of our white group ashore. Groups of guests are issued arm bands in different colors - white, red, green, purple and red.   Each group is given an assigned time for shore excursions in Antarctica.   We three are in the white group. As I write this, there are whales spouting in the distance.   Not close enough to get a go