We are in Paradise Bay today.  It is a beautiful, tranquil place that is protected by Lemaire Island on one side and Bryde Island on the other.  The water is calm, we can see lots of wildlife and the colours in the ice are brilliant.  There are so many glaciers around the bay. This morning we went on a Zodiac cruise.  It was so much fun.  We had a great day for it, it was beautiful.  

 

There was a crabeater seal sunbathing on an iceberg – terrific!  He gave us a little smile and just looked at us like we were interrupting his nap.  We took lots of photos. 

 

We went past an Argentine research base on our little tour, there are lots of birds nesting in the cliffs just south of the station.  The size of some of the glaciers is unbelievable!  We really wanted to see one of the glaciers calve off and you could tell that one had done that recently but then our zodiac driver mentioned that we likely wouldn’t want it to happen with us so close!  It’s easy to forget sometimes the logical implications (your life in danger) when you are enjoying your surroundings.  

 

I tried to put my camera underwater to take some photos of icebergs but it didn’t really work.  It’s hard to tell what they are, you need to see the contrast & I may have been too close.  A few may have turned out.  My hands were frozen, frozen, frozen!!!!

 

In the afternoon we went a little north to Westboat Point and went to the Chilean Post, Gonzalez Videla.  It was interesting to see how they live at the post.  They were airforce personnel.   It would be a very isolated life.  Antarctica has over 40 permanent research stations which belong to 30 nations, all of which have signed the Antarctic Treaty.  Our little gang (I love our little gang) all brought our passports to the base to have them stamped!  So cool to have an Antarctica stamp in our passports! 

 

There were thousands of penguins on this tiny island.  We saw some leopard seals attacking some penguins.  So neat to see in person.  The leopard seal is the top predator in Antarctica.   Of course the tiny penguin can’t compete really.  It’s a little difficult to watch as the leopard seal plays ‘cat and mouse’ for an extended period of time and the penguin looks like a tiny stuffed animal. As difficult as it was to watch we felt compelled and what a privilege to see nature in its true form, something very few people get to witness.  

 

We had another great dinner tonight, lots of laughs & lots to drink.  We watched Frozen Planet part IV and then stayed up late talking.  It was such a fantastic day.

“For my part, I travel not to go anywhere, but to go.  I travel for travel’s sake.  The great affair is to move.” Robert Louis Stevenson

 

“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.” Helen Keller