March 12th

Today as been the most fantastic day ever! I am loving this! It was sunny and warm and so beautiful!!

In the morning we were able to see Humpback whales and Minke whales swimming along with us. I took lots of photos. The sun was shining behind the mountains of the Antarctic Peninsula and it was a crystal clear, beautiful day.
We came along Errera Channel where there were huge, amazing icebergs. They are so fascinating to me. I love them.

We took an excursion in the morning on the zodiacs, we went to Danco Island. It was great. Because it was so sunny we couldn’t walk too far out, it wasn’t safe to walk on the snow, we had to stay on the rocky beach. We wandered around for a while and then Jeff and I just sat down on a rock and watched a colony of Gentoo penguins. If you just sit they will come up to you – they are very curious wee creatures. It was a little mesmerizing just to watch. I took a great photo of a little wee guy that I think was going to kiss me!

In the afternoon we went to Neko Harbour in Andvord Bay. It was such a terrific day, the temperature reached 11 degrees and the sun was out the entire time. There was a colony of Gentoo penguins a Neko Harbour as well. There were so many that you had to watch where you were walking or you could almost step on a tiny one. They seemed to enjoy playing around peoples feet. We hiked up the side of a huge hill, which is an Antarctic tradition at this particular spot. It was so hot that most of us had our coats off by the time we reached the top. The view was spectacular!!! We took some fantastic photos. You can just barely make out some people and the penguins at the bottom of the hill. The water and the ice with the sun shining so brightly was just amazing.

After climbing up of course, then we had to go down and instead of just hiking down, which some people did and which was an option, some other people decided to slide down the hill, mountain, glacier – it was high whatever you wanted to call it. There was also a jump and you couldn’t see the bottom and you couldn’t see where the people who had already gone down came out! It was crazily scary and so, so much fun!!

When we got to the bottom, after catching our breath and a short walk we decided to go for a swim!!! Yes, it has to be one of the craziest things I have done and I even have a certificate to prove it. It was such a nice day and we were hot after climbing but there was definitely ice in the water and the penguins were swimming and jumping as well. I forgot to take my sunglasses off before jumping in and of course I lost them in the water so I went back in to get them! Yup, the water is so cold that it takes your breath away but I go back in to get my glasses. Crazy!
So much fun!

This really has been the best day ever!