Wednesday March 18, 2020
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| The ship's position on the Antarctic Peninsular. |
this morning was our first day of going ashore on Antartica at Neko Harbour (64.8331S, 62.6664W) It is an inlet of the Antarctic Peninsula on Andvord Bay, situated on the west coast.
Discovered by Belgian explorer Adrien de Gerlache during the early 20th century, it was named from a Norwegian whaling boat, the Neko, which operated in the area between 1911 and 1924.
In December 2004, American long-distance swimmer, Lynne Cox swam 2Km in 25minutes in the icy waters, having trained for 2 years
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| Glacier frequently carves with loud thundering roar |
It was too rough and windy to go kayaking - so zodiacs were the go
The landing at Neko Harbour is known as a continental landing, as it is connected to the Antarctic Peninsula itself. Gentoo penguins were populating the shore.
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| Gentoo Penguins Note the white strip on the head and the colour of beak. |
A short video
This process is often called a “catastrophic molt” because all the feathers are replaced at once. It is essential since feathers water out during the year and it keeps them warm & dry. And that scruffy look, it's because the old feather won't fall out until the new one has completely grown in. A penguin in molt does not swim, since the cold waters of the Atlantic and Antarctic oceans could cause fatal hypothermia.
Today we learnt that Argentina had just closed all ports due to Covid 19. The plan was to no longer visit South Georgia, but proceed directly to the Falklands (Stanley) after completing another 3 days in the key attraction in the Antarctic Peninsular / South Shetland Islands. Alternative return air tickets were being arranged by Aurora Sydney office.
Paradise Bay (64.8574S, 62.92011W) also known as Paradise Harbour is situated nearby and our afternoon destination. It is a wide embayment behind Lemaire and Bryde Islands in Antarctica, indenting the west coast of Graham Land between Duthiers and Leniz Points.
The name “Paradise Harbour” was coined by whalers in the early 1920s, but the site is mostly referred to as Paradise Bay. The International Whaling Commission banned commercial whaling in 1986, although some countries oppose the ban.
The calmer conditions allowed the kayak group to explore the surroundings.
The Weddell seal is a relatively large and abundant true seal with a circumpolar distribution surrounding Antarctica. The Weddell seal was discovered and named in the 1820s during expeditions led by British sealing captain James Weddell to the area of the Southern Ocean now known as the Weddell Sea.
Argentina’s Almirante Brown Antarctic Base has been in operation since 1951 (although only open in summer since 1984). It sits on top of a rocky perch, providing a great bay view.
The other base — Chile’s González Videla Antarctic Base — was active from 1951 to 1958, and briefly in the 1980s. This Chilean base is notable for a nearby shelter that was designated a Historic Site.
The other base — Chile’s González Videla Antarctic Base — was active from 1951 to 1958, and briefly in the 1980s. This Chilean base is notable for a nearby shelter that was designated a Historic Site.
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Temperatures remain below freezing all year in Paradise Bay. it also adds to the surroundings’ quiet beauty. You’ll feel as if you and fellow travellers are the last people on earth, taking in the pristine surroundings without distractions or intrusions
Temperatures remain below freezing all year in Paradise Bay. it also adds to the surroundings’ quiet beauty. You’ll feel as if you and fellow travellers are the last people on earth, taking in the pristine surroundings without distractions or intrusions
The glaciated mountains and gentoo penguins make it a popular cruise destination - the only way to get here is by ship
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