Antarctica - Damoy Point

Today we stopped at Damoy Point. Today was our first "landing" , where we got to actually get into the continent . We actually were in an island off the coast of the peninsula, so not technically on the mainland yet. We had winds in the morning, so our excursions were pushed to the afternoon.
In the morning a team from Port Lockroy station came onboard to explain their scientific and environmental activities. They are stationed for 4 months during the summer and have very 'limited' living accommodations. Viking is very kind in providing them food from our Cafe and showers as well as anything else that the station needs. The station is also the farthest south post office in the world and we were able to get our Passports stamped as well as purchase post cards to mail home.
Our first excursion was on the Special OPs boat where we were able to see penguins jumping in the water searching for fish. Our biggest find was a Minke whale and her calf. They were breaching near the boat for about 20 minutes. The mother whale was about the size of our boat. Our guide on the boat said that this is the first time he saw and recorded Minke whales in this area this season, so it was an important find.
We returned from our first excursion and immediately had our second of the day which was a Zodiac Landing at Damoy Point. It was amazing to walk on the glacier ice. The paths are very clearly defined and you can only walk. No sitting, lying down or leaving anything due to environmental impacts to the environment. Our boots were cleaned prior to leaving the ship and were cleaned again when we got back on board. It was truly amazing to be on the glacial ice surrounded by the huge mountains. We did see Gentoo penguin colonies. There were many of them taking care of their young that hatched just about 6 weeks ago. One of the penguins (Fred) came across our path and Scott had to stop and back away from it to not interfere with where it was going. There was a penguin and it's young under one of the original huts that was still raising it's young. The young penguin was fluffy and still molting. Almost as large as the parent. One was there watching out while the second was probably out gathering Krill or fish for them to eat.
Then back to the ship for repositioning to another spot for tomorrow...Read more