Individuals typically ask me what the spotlight was from my current once-in-a-lifetime journey to Antarctica, the seventh continent—probably the most distant place on the planet. I inform them it’s onerous to decide on only one!
Was the spotlight the 1000’s and 1000’s of king penguins on the seashore at our first touchdown in South Georgia? Nothing however colourful penguins extending from the seashore to the foothills so far as the attention may see. And people fuzzy brown chicks that adopted their mother and father round, begging to be fed. Watching them chase after mother and pop searching for a meal was a particular spotlight.
Our first day additionally launched us to two-ton elephant seals guarding their harems. They had been huge and regarded fairly menacing, particularly once they opened their mouths to bellow a warning to a fur seal that received too shut. Watching them from a protected distance was completely fascinating.
One other spotlight was visiting Sir Ernest Shackleton’s grave in Grytviken on South Georgia. Our journey had a particular emphasis for the centennial of that incredible journey.
We spent a morning visiting Shackleton’s grave and the lengthy deserted whaling station close by. Tales had been recounted of his bravery and management abilities and we raised a glass to his reminiscence. One of many crew members even dressed up as Sir Ernest and greeted us as we took a stroll alongside the identical path that he walked when he arrived on South Georgia after his epic journey. I’m nonetheless in awe after I consider this accomplishment.
The superb iceberg formations that dotted the ocean close to the Antarctic Peninsula had been one other spotlight. Large tabular icebergs larger than my home floated a protected distance from the ship—shut sufficient to get nice pictures however far sufficient away to not fear about any unexpected conferences. Oddly formed bergs additionally floated together with penguins perched on their aspect, which precipitated us all to surprise how on the earth they received up there.
Definitely the chinstrap, Adélie, and gentoo penguins we received to know throughout our time on the Peninsula are value mentioning. I spent hours watching their antics as they stole rocks from different nests and took them to their very own nests. Once they had been caught with the stolen items their neighbors nipped and pecked at them as they scurried by. Generally one would run crazily across the group in what appeared like utter confusion. We watched these antics on a number of stops we made on the Antarctic Peninsula.
On reflection, maybe it was the brand new mates I met on board that I’ll bear in mind as the most important spotlight. In spite of everything, we had bonded throughout this superb three-week journey. Regardless that we had been all on the similar websites, we every had our personal private expertise whereas there. We celebrated birthdays and particular events on board with our improbable crew. Kayakers enthusiastically shared their actions gliding alongside the graceful waters and all of us marveled that although we could have seen various things that day, it was nonetheless a magical expertise for all.
