January 25 - Torgersen Island, Antarctica


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 good photo!

The first kayak excursion this morning was cancelled.   Just heard over the intercom, that next group would have a try!   Still looks pretty choppy out there!

Torgersen Island is a small rocky island lying just east of Litchfield Island in the entrance to Arthur Harbor, off the southwest coast of Anvers Island in the Palmer Archipelago of Antarctica.  It was surveyed by the Falkland Islanders Dependencies Survey I 1955 and named by the UK-APC for Torstein Torgersen, first mate of the "Harbor" in late February 1955, preceding the vessel "Norsel" in one of the ship's boats and making soundings.

 Torgersen Island is the site of a study on the impacts of tourism, and has been divided into two areas, one open to visitors and the other closed as a site for scientific reference.   This site together with other nearby islands not visited by tourists provide a unique experimental setting to examine the relative effects of natural versus human induced variability on Adelie penguin populations.  The long term data sets obtained from this site are of particular value in understanding the impacts of tourism on birds.

   


  

John and Sandi had a great time in the zodiac cruise, but they did get bounced around a lot and wet!!

There was a special event on the pool deck this afternoon, though named "Caviar on Ice", there was more to eat than just caviar.   Still cannot understand the huge demand for this delicacy - for me, it's okay, but really like what goes with it - the egg, sour cream, onion, capers - and for some, potato chips!   YEP!   Potato chips!!!

While I watched them set up the deck for the event, crew created an ice table for caviar.   Here are photos:

  

  

. . . and the finished product - VOILA!!



This ice table would later be dismantled and saved for two days later when the pieces would be dumped into the swimming pool, and an Arctic Plunge created for any and all who wanted to partake of the icy water - UGH! - NOT I!!

   

We three enjoyed the nibbles (two kinds of smoked salmon, one with beets and one with sugar and salt, charcuterie, caviar, and one other that slips my mind!), along with shots of Aquavit, Vodka and I lost count!   It was certainly time to eat.   I was getting goofier and goofier!

                             
During one of my "goofier" moments, Sandi took the photo on the left and created this wonderful concoction that she posted on Facebook!   Had to share!

After dinner, we were treated to more beautiful scenery.

    

                                




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