Grand South America & Antarctica Voyage, Antarctica Day 1... Part 1 of 2

Good morning from Antarctic…6 am comes early. The temperature was 19F and the winds so strong the ship was listing to the port side. Overnight we had snow and crossed over the Bransfield Strait and into the mountain lined and icy waters of the Gerlache Strait. The Antarctic Peninsula is an 800-mile jagged finger that juts out of the Antarctic continent, pointing towards South America. With a mountain range that extends for more than half its length, and peaks approaching near 5000 feet, the Peninsula offers the most dramatic scenery in Antarctic. Today, we sailed past Brabant Island to Anvers Island.  We entered the Neumayer Channel with its stunning scenery of glaciers, ice shelves, and towering snowcapped peaks that dominated the landscape, creating a striking contrast with the deep blue waters of surrounding fjords and bays…the weather held while in the channel. It was too bad that it was snowing hard passing Portal Point on Reclus Peninsula, the site of an old British Station Research Station. We passed Port Lockroy, the bay forming a natural harbor on the north western shore of Wiencke Island in the Palmer Archipelago to the west of the Antarctic Peninsula. The Antarctic base with the same name, situated on Goudier Island in this bay, includes the most southerly operational post office in the world. Unfortunately, due to the driving snow our visibility was reduced to zero. Despite the cold and weather conditions, I was able to capture some beautiful scenes. Nearly 3 hours later in heavy snow, we approached Lemaire Channel.  The Lemaire Channel is one of Antarctica’s landmark spots and probably the most popular destinations in Antarctica.  The channel serene beauty and outstanding wildlife has earned it the nickname ‘Kodak Gap’.  Unfortunately, the heavy ice near the exit of the channel the Captain turned around and we exited the channel.  Add to the ice situation the visibility was so poor that this afternoon’s touring was no very successful.  Praying the weather gods cooperate tomorrow. By the way, the conditions…  Wind chill at the moment of 6 degrees Fahrenheit and winds 35 mph.  I was comfortable with all my layers but my face was frozen…  It was a different kind of day for me exploring the Antarctic…  I have always come here in the past during the months of January and February when the weather is much milder.  That doesn’t take away from the grandeur of the Antarctic…  Great day!!!